Awesome news today – the best kind! The superbly talented Wyl Menmuir has had his debut novel, The Many, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016.
Wyl and I were on the same Masters programme at MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University), and right from the first workshopping session I figured him for a genius. My husband reminded me tonight that I came away from one of our online sessions – this was three or four years ago – and told him about this one guy, Wyl, who was clearly the most talented writer on our course and was destined for great things. And I was right! (I love being right.)
This is a beautiful book, one that deserves to win the coveted Man Booker prize, and this year I’ve actually read three of the longlist already. The Many is haunting, it gets under your skin, and it’s like nothing else you’ve ever read before. I urge you to rush out and buy it! I hope the judges can see the genius that we all saw at MMU, and I hope Wyl gets the recognition and rewards his hard work, talent and dedication deserves.
Oh, and something else really cool – I’m mentioned in the acknowledgments! It’s the closest I’ll ever get to the Booker longlist, but it’s close enough for me. Congratulations, Wyl. You’re our winner already.
Joanne Phillips 
July 28, 2016 at 6:12 am
How cool to know someone on the longlist personally and to be mentioned in the book! I’ll keep an eye out for it.
July 28, 2016 at 6:56 am
Having followed your blog and knowing that you know someone who has been longlisted is the closest I will ever get to the prize … And my, it feels good! But seriously, it’s always great to see debut authors on the list, demonstrating that new, fresh writing is being valued by the literary community. Congrats on the acknowledgement!
July 28, 2016 at 2:21 pm
A great claim to fame, Joanne – and you’ve done a great sales pitch for The Many, I’m tempted!