Riverbend on Prize List

I know I’m a day late to this, but, hey, I’ve got a novel to finish. Anyway. Some good news from across the pond: Riverbend’s Baghdad Burning, which is based on her blog, is in the running for the Samuel Johnson prize in the UK.

The small literary publisher Marion Boyars brought out Baghdad Burning last year, classifying it under biography and memoir. The publishing house says it knows Riverbend’s identity but respects her wish to remain anonymous.

It has already come third in the Lettre Ulysses prize for Reportage, winning £14,000, and was shortlisted for an Index on Censorship freedom of expression award.

Riverbend began the blog with the words: “I’m female, Iraqi and 24. I survived the war. That’s all you need to know. It’s all that matters these days anyway.”

The Guardian has more.

Thanks to Danielle for the link.