Lyse Doucet Shortlisted for Women’s Prize for Nonfiction 2026

Lyse Doucet stated, “Iran does not want a ceasefire, it will not negotiate a ceasefire, even though President Trump, according to Israeli media, is now looking for a one month ceasefire.” This quote underscores the complexities surrounding her work and the geopolitical issues she addresses in her writing.

Doucet’s book, titled The Finest Hotel in Kabul, has earned her a spot on the shortlist for the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction 2026. The prize, which offers a £30,000 award, aims to tackle the gender gap in nonfiction publishing, a gap highlighted by research indicating that only 35.5% of winners across major UK nonfiction awards over the past decade have been women.

The Women’s Prize for Nonfiction was launched in 2024, with Naomi Klein winning the inaugural award for her book Doppelganger. Last year, Rachel Clarke took home the prize for The Story of a Heart.

The 2026 shortlist features six authors: Doucet, Arundhati Roy, Judith Mackrell, Jane Rogoyska, Ece Temelkuran, and Daisy Fancourt. This diverse group reflects a growing recognition of women’s contributions to nonfiction literature.

Doucet’s work traces Afghanistan’s modern history through the lens of a single hotel, providing a unique perspective on the country’s tumultuous past.

In recent years, the representation of women in popular science has seen a notable increase, rising from 11% in 2023 to 22% in 2025. However, men still dominate certain categories, with 93% of authors in business and management being male.

The announcement of the 2026 winner is set for June 11, a date that many in the literary community are eagerly anticipating. Doucet’s inclusion in the shortlist not only highlights her individual achievements but also represents a broader movement towards gender equity in publishing.

As the literary world prepares for the announcement, Doucet’s insights and experiences continue to resonate, particularly in the context of her recent comments on geopolitical issues. She remarked, “It’s not going to buckle under any threats – another fundamental misperception in this war,” emphasizing the resilience of the subjects she writes about.

The Women’s Prize for Nonfiction serves as a critical platform for elevating women’s voices in a field where they have historically been underrepresented. With the upcoming announcement, the spotlight remains on these talented authors and their impactful works.