The Women’s Prize for Nonfiction 2025 longlist has been unveiled, showcasing a stellar lineup of 16 titles dominated by British authors, per independent.co.uk. With 11 of the 16 writers hailing from the UK, the selection highlights a mix of established literary figures and exciting new voices, including six remarkable nonfiction debuts.
The shortlist will be announced on 26 March, narrowing the field to six finalists.
Now in its second year, the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction celebrates excellence, originality, and accessibility in narrative nonfiction. It serves as a sister award to the globally renowned Women’s Prize for Fiction, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.
The 2025 longlist spans a diverse range of subjects, from geopolitics and history to music, science, and true crime, reflecting the breadth of contemporary nonfiction.
Among the notable authors featured are music icon Neneh Cherry, whose debut A Thousand Threads explores personal and cultural narratives, and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum, whose Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World examines the rise of authoritarian regimes. Also included is Yuan Yang, a newly elected Member of Parliament, with Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China, a poignant exploration of China’s societal transformations.
The judging panel, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Kavita Puri, includes Dr. Leah Broad, Elizabeth Buchan, Dr. Elizabeth-Jane Burnett, and Emma Gannon. Puri praised the longlist, stating, “Here are books that provoke debate and discussion, that offer insight into new experiences and perspectives, and that bring overlooked stories back to life and recognition.”
She added that the selection addresses pressing global issues, from the resilience of the human spirit to the dangers of unchecked power.
The inaugural Women’s Prize for Nonfiction in 2024 was awarded to Naomi Klein for Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, a critical exploration of conspiracy theories and political manipulation. This year’s longlist continues the tradition of spotlighting bold, thought-provoking works that challenge and inspire readers.
