Norwich's many links to authors on the longlist for a prestigious writing prize highlight how the city really is a true City of Literature.

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)

Six of the 16 writers in the running for this year's £30,000 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction have connections to our fine city.

Sam Ruddock, programme manager at Writers' Centre Norwich, said: 'The Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction recognises writing by women across the world. That six of the writers longlisted this year have connections to Norwich demonstrates just what a world City of Literature we now are.

'From Rose Tremain who built her career as one of the UK's leading writers from the city, to Eimear McBride and Sarah Perry whose talent was kick-started by moving here in recent years, and Naomi Alderman who studied on UEA's renowned creative writing course, Norwich is a place where writers can thrive.

'This will only be enhanced as Dragon Hall morphs into the National Centre for Writing over the next 18 months. Margaret Atwood, also longlisted, is a patron of this project.'

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)

He added that both Sarah Perry and Eimear McBride would also be appearing at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in May, as will fellow longlisted writer Madeleine Thien.

Eimear McBride has been longlisted for The Lesser Bohemians, a story of a drama student who falls violently in love with an older actor and both have troubling pasts. She previously won the award for her debut novel, A Girl is a Half-formed Thing in 2014.

Rose Tremain, a former chancellor of the University of East Anglia, has been longlisted for The Gustav Sonata which asks about the difference between friendship and love, and between neutrality and commitment. She previously won the celebrated prize for her book The Road Home in 2008, when the award was known as the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction.

Sarah Perry has been longlisted for The Essex Serpent which is set in 1893 and examines the Victorian conflict between science and religion. Naomi Alerman has been longlisted for The Power, Margaret Atwood for Hag-Seed, and Madeleine Thien for Do Not Say We Have Nothing.

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)

The winner will be announced in June. For more information about the prize, visit www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Power by Naomi Alderman. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is The Power by Naomi Alderman. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)

Eastern Daily Press: Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction 2017 longlist. Pictured is Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction. (Image: supplied by Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction)