who judges the Prize for Fiction and Award for New Writers?

Five leading women are appointed to judge the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction every year.

They are drawn from a variety of occupations, and include writers, critics, broadcasters, book trade and/or library representatives as well as women from other fields of work who are at the top of their profession and have a passion for reading.

The Orange Broadband Award for New Writers is judged by three women who work in the world of books. The panel may include authors, critics, editors, festival organisers, creative writing tutors, with each judge having a proven interest in new fiction.

find out about this year's judges


2003
Chair – Ahdaf Soueif
Sophie Dahl
Nicolette Jones
Annalena McAfee
Dr Margaret Reynolds

2002
Chair – Sue MacGregor
Professor Gillian Beer
AL Kennedy
Fiona Shaw
Julie Wright

2001
Chair – Rosie Boycott
Kate Adie
Rachel Holmes
Emily Perkins
Suzanne Vega

2000
Chair – Polly Toynbee
Amanda Foreman
Claire Beaumont
Bonnie Greer
Ffion Hague

1999
Chair – Lola Young
Mariella Frostrup
Nicci Gerrard
Ursula Owen
Honor Wilson-Fletcher

1998
Chair – Sheena Macdonald
Grace Kempster
Bernice Rubens
Elaine Showalter
Erica Wagner

1997
Chair – Lisa Jardine
Fiona Kennedy
Andrea Levy
Val McDermid
Allison Pearson

1996
Chair – Kate Mosse
Val Hennessy
Susan Hill
Margaret Lally
Lorna Sage