SWANSEA University’s prestigious £20,000 Dylan Thomas Prize has been won by 30-year-old New Yorker Raven Leilani.

Leilani’s debut novel ‘Luster’ came out on top at a virtual ceremony.

Namita Gokhale, speaking for the judging panel said: “This is an important, uncomfortable book, in turns funny and angry, and always compelling,”.

“Raven Leilani is an astonishingly original new voice.”

Gokhale added “We cannot wait to see what comes next from this uncompromising talent,”.

The judges’ unanimous choice for the prize was Leilani.

The Dylan Thomas Prize is awarded for the best published English language literary work by an author aged 39 or under.