lauren groff

Writers in the final round include Lauren Groff, Hanif Abdurraqib and Anthony Doerr. The prize recognizes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people's literature.

Fifty nominated books now remain in contention for prizes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young people's literature — and, in a fresh twist to the annual slate, translated literature.

Lauren Groff, Terrance Hayes, Sally Mann and Ta-Nehisi Coates are among the 20 writers still in the running for the prestigious literary prize. Soon, that number will be whittled to just four winners.

The literary award, launched last year by Kirkus Reviews, lists Ta-Nehisi Coates, Helen Macdonald and Hanya Yanagihara among 18 finalists across three categories. The prize carries a purse of $50,000.