American writers dominate shortlist for Britain’s new literary trophy, the Folio Prize

LONDON – A new literary prize designed to find the best book published in Britain has a strongly North American accent.

The 40,000 pound ($66,000) Folio Prize is open to any book published in Britain in 2013.

The eight finalists, announced Monday, include five American writers: Amity Gaige, Kent Haruf, Rachel Kushner, Sergio De La Pava and George Saunders.

There is also a Canadian, Anne Carson, and Britain-based writers Jane Gardam and Eimear McBride.

British poet Lavinia Greenlaw, who is chairing the judging panel, says the American emphasis was a coincidence. She says when selecting finalists “we forgot about the authors and focused on the books.”

The prize, now in its first year, hopes to rival the Booker as the English-speaking world’s most prestigious literary award.