Irish novelist Megan Nolan makes Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year shortlist

One of Ireland's most promising literary talents, Megan Nolan, has been nominated for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award.

Nolan received the nod for her debut novel released in 2021, Acts Of Desperation, and has a good shot at receiving the £10,000 prize as well as a 10-week residency with the University of Warwick that will go the overall winner.

All nominees earned £1,000 as part of the award, which also includes Anna Beecher, Cal Flyn, Rachel Long and Caleb Azumah Nelson, with the winner announced in a ceremony at the London Library on February 24.

Speaking about those selected for the shortlist, critic and member of the judging panel, Claire Lowden said "These writers stand out because they are risk-takers. Open any one of these books and you will find yourself, thrillingly, in uncharted territory."

Megan Nolan talked to Hot Press last year about many of the themes from her novel and touched on how her honesty when writing allowed her to discuss heavy topics such as sexual consent and coercion.

"After I finished it, I definitely hoped that it's not just going to be perceived as a book that only women want to read," she said.

"I've seen some men, in a nice way, being like, 'Oh, I'm looking forward to reading this book – even though I'm not the target audience!' But I don't think you have to be a woman in your twenties to read a book that's about that. I would really like for more people to think about that grey area, that's not assault by the terms of legality, but is like coercion – and is not okay, even if it's not illegal."