Introducing our
2023 Winner!

"I am delighted that When I Sing, Mountains Dance has been awarded the Nota Bene Prize 2023. I was living in London when I wrote this novel, so this prize feels very special. Huge thanks go to Mara Faye Lethem, for her amazing translation. Thank you Ethan, Anni, and everyone at Graywolf and Granta, and thank you everyone at the Nota Bene Prize for making this possible."
Irene Solà

2023 Shortlist

The Nota Bene prize is all about championing rising talent and powerful stories that readers love, and this year’s shortlist is a wonderful example of just that. The seven shortlisted titles, selected in coordination with a panel of notable readers, are thought-provoking and relatable reads that have received organic, word-of-mouth recognition, and are deserving of a wider readership.

2023 Judges

Our 2023 judges feature a selection of Notable Readers that represent and connect with the beating heart of readership. From authors and booksellers to editors and content creators, our judges have a significant reach and are hugely influential when it comes to inspiring readers.

‘It's my absolute pleasure to be the host and chair of such an exciting new prize that seeks to champion rising authors and unmissable stories – something I'm really passionate about. Although it will be difficult to choose only one winner from such a stunning shortlist, I’m really looking forward to discussing these wonderful books with my fellow judges. Wish us luck!’

OENONE FORBAT, 2023 HOST AND CHAIR

  • Oenone Forbat - The Nota Bene Prize

    Oenone Forbat

    Podcaster, influencer and soon-to-be debut author, Oenone's enlightening podcast Adulting has been downloaded over 4 million times, and she also hosts a monthly book club IRL that sells out in minutes.

  • Shani Akilah - The Nota Bene Prize

    Shani Akilah

    Writer, Screenwriter and Content Creator, Shani was spotlighted as a ‘Key Black Influencer’ by DoubleDay Books. Shani is the co-founder of Nyah Network, a book club for black women.

  • Sapphire Bates - The Nota Bene Prize

    Sapphire Bates

    Influencer and business owner turned indie bookshop owner, Sapphire is at the heart of connecting books with readers and celebrates books online and IRL from her shop in Ramsgate, Book Bodega.

  • Bobby Palmer - The Nota Bene Prize

    Bobby Palmer

    Podcaster, author and journalist who has written extensively for household titles, such as Time Out, GQ, Esquire, and Cosmopolitan. He also hosts the well-loved podcast Book Chat alongside fellow author and journalist, Pandora Sykes.

  • Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - The Nota Bene Prize

    Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

    Author of the international best-seller and award-winning books, The Mountains Sing and Dust Child. Her writing has been translated into twenty languages, and her writing has appeared in major publications including The New York Times.

  • Naoise Dolan - The Nota Bene Prize

    Naoise Dolan

    A young Irish novelist, Naoise is the author of two novels Exciting Times (2020) and The Happy Couple (2023). She was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction in 2021.

  • Madeleine Knowles - The Nota Bene Prize

    Madeleine Knowles

    Editor of the quarterly literary publication nb Magazine, which is distributed to over 15,000 loyal readers, she writes features, interviews authors, and curates content for nb’s print and online publications.

2023 Winner’s Event

Writers, publishers, content creators and booksellers gathered to celebrate this year’s shortlist in a warm and interactive evening chaired by influencer, podcaster and author Oenone Forbat, with on-stage insights and readings from judges and authors.

Held at the incredible Refettorio Felix in London, we joined together a whole host of book-lovers to champion influential fiction and of course, announce our 2023 winner.