Manchester, England -- (SBWire) -- 09/22/2015 --Tom McCarthy and Sunjeev Sahota are two British novelists to make it to the final six in the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize this year. The list comes through with a diversity of authors from different backgrounds, all at different times in their career.

Last year's winner Richard Flanagan, with The Narrow Road to the Deep North, unfortunately didn't make the cut this time. Another shock was American author Marilynne Robinson who was seen as a strong contender with her latest novel, Lila, but didn't feature in this year's shortlist.

McCarthy's book Satin Island shows a reflection of the world today, narrated by U, an anthropologist trying to piece together the meaning of the modern age. Sahota's novel outlines the story of Indian migrants living in Sheffield.

Joining McCarthy and Sahota on the shortlist are two US authors, Anne Tyler with her 20th and final novel, A Spool of Blue Thread. Her novel presents the story of four generations of the Whitshank family.

Hanya Yanagihara also made the final six with A Little Life, a story of four friends living in New York, one of which is affected by the abuse from his childhood.

A Nigerian writer Chogozie Obioma was chosen for The Fisherman, a tale of brothers who go fishing and chance upon a madman, who informs them the eldest brother will be killed by one of the younger two.

Finally Jamaican author Marlon James with A Brief History of Seven Killings, a representation of gang violence in Jamaica and the attempted assassination of Bob Marley.

These stories have all derived from different points in history, relating to different events and even mental illness. The sheer diversity in the final six is something to be celebrated. To write stories that are recognised by The Man Booker Prize can takes years of hard work.

If your end goal is to receive an award like the one McCarthy and Sahota are in the running for, it may be worth investing your time in a writing course, which can cater for all kinds of writing you could possibly think of.

The Writers Bureau offers courses which you can complete with the help of professional writers as tutors.

Principal of the Bureau, Susie Busby said:

"Training like ours will certainly help someone to develop as a writer. Not only do we show people the nuts and bolts of writing – how to layout a manuscript, contact editors etc. – we also help to build confidence, develop style and find the student's voice so that their writing stands out.

It's great to see such an eclectic mix of titles, from authors in different countries, being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. It just goes to show that excellence has no borders. As a distance learning college we are working with students from every corner of the globe so it's heartening to see writers from different cultures and countries being celebrated in this prestigious award."

Media Contact:
PR Contact: Susie Busby
The Writers Bureau
8-10 Dutton Street
Manchester M3 1LE
England
Tel: 0161 819 9922
Email:studentservices@writersbureau.com
Url: http://www.writersbureau.com/