CULTURE — June 12, 2026
Canadian Journalist Liz Doss Wins 2026 Women's Literary Prize for Non-Fiction
Canadian journalist Liz Doss has won the non-fiction category of the 2026 Women's Literary Prize for her book The Best Hotel in Kabul, while Virginia Evans won the fiction prize for The Letter Writer.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Canadian journalist Liz Doss has been named the winner of the non-fiction category at the 2026 Women's Literary Prize for her book The Best Hotel in Kabul. The work draws inspiration from the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul and from Doss's reporting in Afghanistan. Doss works as a senior international correspondent for the BBC.
Virginia Evans won the fiction category for her debut novel The Letter Writer.
The two winners will each receive 30,000 pounds. Findmypast sponsors the non-fiction category while Audible and Baileys sponsor the fiction category.
Tangam Debonair, who served as chair of the non-fiction judging panel, described Doss's book as a flawless work featuring an intelligent structure and brilliant research.
Julia Gillard, chair of the fiction judging panel, said that The Letter Writer represents a model combination of originality, excellence and appeal.
The Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul has stood for more than half a century amid coups, wars, occupations, and the return of the Taliban.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct, on-record attribution with concrete, checkable details including named authors, judges (Tangam Debonair, Julia Gillard), specific book titles, prize amounts, sponsors, and direct quotes
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "severe restrictions, especially for women" – this phrase frames the situation with negative emotional judgment and advocacy tone regarding women's rights under the current administration.
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