London, 9.30am, 15 April 2008: The Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, the UK’s only annual book award for fiction written by a woman, today announces the 2008 shortlist. Now in its thirteenth year, the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in international women’s writing.

This year’s shortlist honours both new and well-established writers. Only one author, Rose
Tremain, has previously been shortlisted (2004).

“We spent a great deal of time in the judging meeting asking the question, ‘Is this a book you feel passionately about? Is it a book that you might pass onto a friend and urge them to read?’” commented Kirsty Lang, Chair of judges. “We all felt these six books passed that test.”

She continues, “I'm extremely pleased we have three first novels as well as some very established authors on a list that reflects the scope, variety and international breadth of the Orange Prize.”

The Prize was set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote fiction by women throughout the
world to the widest range of readers possible and is awarded for the best novel of the year
written by a woman.

The winner will be presented with a cheque for £30,000 and a limited edition bronze statue known as ‘the Bessie’, created by artist Grizel Niven. Both are anonymously endowed.

Previous winners are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for Half of a Yellow Sun (2007), Zadie Smith for On Beauty (2006), Lionel Shriver for We Need to Talk About Kevin (2005), Andrea Levy for Small Island (2004), Valerie Martin for Property (2003), Ann Patchett for Bel Canto (2002), Kate Grenville for The Idea of Perfection (2001), Linda Grant for When I Lived in Modern Times (2000), Suzanne Berne for A Crime in the Neighbourhood (1999), Carol Shields for Larry’s Party (1998), Anne Michaels for Fugitive Pieces (1997), and Helen Dunmore for A Spell of Winter (1996).

“The relationship between Orange and the Prize has been hugely successful, partly because of the way the relationship has evolved over the years”, said Hattie Magee, Head of Partnerships at Orange. “This year’s shortlist is exceptional and reflects the diversity and incredible range of female fiction that is available to readers today. Our judges have done a tremendous job, to hear their thoughts on the Prize visit www.orangeprize.co.uk.”

The award ceremony will take place in The Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, on 4 June 2008.

-ENDS-


For more information or to arrange an interview with Chair Kirsty Lang, please contact:

Press Enquiries:
Amanda Johnson or Naomi Li at M&C Saatchi:
Tel: 020 7543 4580/0207 543 3687 or 07715 922 180/07980 697 129
Email: amanda.johnson@mcsaatchi.com or naomi.li@mcsaatchi.com

Or

CJ Stanley, Orange
Tel: 07989 333 308
Email: cj.stanley@orange-ftgroup.com


Notes to Editors

Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction 2008 Dates for the Diary:

• Orange Broadband Readers’ Day at The Bluecoat, Liverpool: 19 April
• Orange Prize Shortlist Readings at Southbank Centre: 2 June
• Orange Broadband Award for New Writers event at Southbank Centre: 3 June
• Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction awards ceremony in The Ballroom of the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre: 4 June

About Orange

Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, providing mobile, broadband, fixed, business and entertainment services across Europe. It is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with more than 170 million customers on five continents.

In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.

In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of December 2007, Orange had over 16.8 million customers in the UK – 15.6 million active mobile customers and nearly 1.14 million broadband customers.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.

Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk or the France Telecom website at www.francetelecom.com

For further information, call the Orange press office on 0870 373 1500 or email: Orangepr@golinharris.com.