Winners of the Women’s Literary Awards 2026 were announced on Thursday evening during a ceremony in London. In the nonfiction category, the prize was awarded to “The Best Hotel in Kabul” by Liz Dost, while the fiction prize went to the novel “The Letter Writer” by Virginia Evans.
These literary awards, which are presented annually to outstanding works by women writers, are considered among the most prestigious in the field of literature, with each winner receiving £30,000. The nonfiction category is sponsored by the company “FindMyPast,” while the fiction category is supported by “Audible” and “Baileys.”
Liz Dost, a Canadian journalist and senior international correspondent for the BBC, drew inspiration for her book from her experiences staying at the InterContinental Hotel in Kabul and reporting from Afghanistan. The InterContinental Kabul, featured in her work, has witnessed significant political and social events in Afghanistan over past decades.
The chair of the nonfiction jury, Tanguy Debonair, described the work as an outstanding example of narrative nonfiction, distinguished by its precise structure and strong research foundation.
In the fiction category, Virginia Evans’ “The Letter Writer” was selected as the winning novel. The book, the author’s debut, is written in an epistolary style and portrays the life of its central character through a series of letters.
According to a report by The Guardian, Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and chair of the fiction jury, described the novel as a creative and impactful work. She noted that the author succeeds in portraying everyday life in a deeply human and compelling way.
The ceremony took place amid ongoing conditions in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, where women face widespread restrictions a context that has indirectly influenced attention toward works related to Afghanistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
