THE FUSE

The Women’s Prize for Fiction was established in 1996 to highlight and celebrate exceptional fiction by women, which was often overlooked in favor of fiction by men. It has since become one of the most influential and popular literary prizes in the English-speaking world. Each year, it awards £30,000 (about $40,511) to “the author of the best full-length novel of the year written in English and published in the UK.” Award-winners also receive the “Bessie,” a bronze statuette designed by the artist Grizel Niven.