The Commonwealth Foundation announced the regional shortlists for its international literary prizes yesterday, with nominees for the 2008 awards for "best book" and "best first book" in Africa, Europe and South Asia, South East Asia and the South Pacific, and Canada and the Caribbean—although that last bracket is pretty much dominated by the north, with one lonely nominee from Jamaica.

The names that pop out as being most recognizable to American readers include Michael Ondaatje (Divisadero), Hari Kunzru (My Revolutions), and Mohsin Hamid (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), but debut writers Ceridwen Dovey, Tish Cohen, and Neil Smith have also been published in the U.S. (Dovey's actually in New York City from South Africa working on her doctorate, and Smith's going to be in town to read at KGB Sunday night.) If I'm missing anybody, feel free to let me know!

Regional winners will be announced in mid-March, then square off against each other for the big prize in May after " week-long programme of readings, community activities and other public events" coinciding with South Africa's Franschhoek Literary Festival.