Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) on Monday announced its Literature Category long list for its twelfth edition, consisting of 13 titles out of the 337 nominations that were received in the category since last May.

The Shaikh Zayed Book Award is an independent cultural award administered by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, with a total prize value of Dh7 million for its winners. The award has become one of the region’s premier event for showcasing Arab authors and their writings, drawing participants from across the Arab world.

This year’s edition saw 1,250 submissions across all categories of the award, with the highest number of submissions coming in the literature and young author category. Other categories for the prize include cultural personality of the year, children’s literature, translation, publishing and technology.

The 13 nominees are:

1. The Autumn of The Big City by Egyptian author Mahmoud Al Werwary, published in 2017.

2. At Least we are Together by Egyptian writer Ezzat Al Kamhawi, published in 2017.

3. Remorse Test by Syrian novelist Khalil Sweileh (2017).

4. The Devil May Love Sometimes by Saudi author Zainab Hifni, published in 2017.

5. Tracing a Cloud by Lebanese author Hassan Dawoud, published in 2017.

6. The Young Bedouin by Saudi novelist Maqbul Al Alawi, published in 2016.

7. Aleppo Metro by Syrian/French novelist Maha Hasan, published by Dar Al Tanweer, Beirut, 2016.

8. Grapes of Vice by Mauritanian novelist Ahmad Hafid, published by Arab Scientific Publishers Inc., Beirut, 2016.

9. The literary biography In Pursuit of Happiness, by Tunisian author Hassouna Mosbahi, published by Editions Arabesques, Tunisia, 2017.

10. In the Market of Captive Women by Iraqi-American novelist Dunya Mikhail, published by Almutawassit Books, Italy, 2017.

11. The Witnessed Witness by Jordanian novelist Walid Saif, published by Al Ahliah Publications, Jordan, 2016.

12. The Blood Journey by Egyptian author Ebrahim Eisa, published by Dar Al Karma, Cairo, 2016.

13. Jano, You are My Story by Iraqi novelist Maysaloon Hadi, published by Dar Alhikma, London, 2017.