The James Tait Memorial Prize, Britain's oldest literary prize, has announced the shortlists for its fiction and biography awards. In fiction, the competition is rather steep with Alice Munro, Cormac McCarthy, Sarah Waters, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, James Lasdun and Ray Robinson competing for the honor. The biography contenders include Carmen Callil, David Cannadine, Gillian Darley, Kate Teltscher, Byron Rogers and Maggie Fergusson.

The winners will be announced at a public awards ceremony on Saturday August 25, 2007.