The judges posing and smiling togetherImage source, Neo Gilder/Booker Prize Foundation
Image caption,

The Booker Prize 2026 judges are Rebecca Liu, Jarvis Cocker, Dame Mary Beard, Raymond Antrobus and Patricia Lockwood

ByIan YoungsCulture reporter
  • Published22 September 2026
Updated 50 minutes ago

Past Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are among the contenders to scoop the prestigious literary award this year, after a shortlist selection process that the judges described as "a tussle".

Jamaican writer James is nominated this year for his latest novel The Disappearers; while Scottish author Stuart is shortlisted for John of John.