Novelist born in Inverness is one of 13 writers on the Booker Prize longlist

Martin Macinnes, a novelist born in Inverness, has been nominated as one of 13 writers for this year's Booker Prize.

His novel In Ascension has been longlisted for the prestigious book award.

Born in Inverness in 1983, Martin was educated at Smithton Primary and Culloden Academy, then at Stirling University ,and the University of York. He now lives in Edinburgh and with his third novel he makes his debut on the list for the important literary award.

The Guardian reviewed the book, writing: "The long, slow process to get from the deepest part of the planet to the farthest reaches of space is described in this long, slow-moving book. The story blooms so subtly, like a flower unfurling, that the reader hardly notices the dramatic developments until they suddenly are upon us..."

A shortlist of six will be chosen and announced on September 21 with each writer receiving £2500 and a specially bound edition of their book.

The ultimate winner will be announced on November 26 at an award ceremony in London when the winner will receive £50,000 and a trophy designed by the late Jan Pienkowski.

The full longlist is:

Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ ̀– A Spell of Good Things (Canongate)

Sebastian Barry – Old God’s Time (Faber & Faber)

Sarah Bernstein – Study for Obedience (Granta Books)

Jonathan Escoffery – If I Survive You (4th Estate)

Elaine Feeney – How to Build a Boat (Harvill Secker)

Paul Harding–- This Other Eden (Hutchinson Heinemann)

Siân Hughes – Pearl (The Indigo Press)

Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow – All the Little Bird-Hearts (Tinder Press)

Paul Lynch – Prophet Song (Oneworld)

Martin MacInnes – In Ascension (Atlantic Books)

Chetna Maroo – Western Lane (Picador)

Paul Murray – The Bee Sting (Hamish Hamilton)

Tan Twan Eng – The House of Doors (Canongate).

There is also a Highland connection for Booker longlisted writer Montreal-born writer Sarah Bernstein who now lives in Achiltibuie. More here:

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