Esterine Kire’s The Sky Husband Longlisted for the Atta Galatta–Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize 2026

Another proud moment for Northeast Indian literature! Esterine Kire’s The Sky Husband has earned a place on the longlist for the Atta Galatta–Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize 2026 in the Best Fiction (English) category.

Northeast Indian literature continues to find its place on the national literary stage. Adding to this growing recognition, The Sky Husband by acclaimed Naga writer Esterine Kire has been longlisted for the Atta Galatta–Bangalore Literature Festival (AG-BLF) Book Prize 2026.

The novel appears among the longlisted titles in the Best Fiction (English) category, alongside works by several notable contemporary writers. The longlist brings together a diverse range of literary voices, reflecting the breadth of fiction being published in India.

For readers of NortheastReads, this is an opportunity to celebrate Esterine Kire and discover a work by a writer whose literary contributions have helped bring Naga stories and perspectives to wider audiences.

About The Sky Husband by Esterine Kire

Published by Penguin, The Sky Husband is a novel by Esterine Kire, a writer from Nagaland whose work engages with the cultural heritage, traditions and storytelling of the Naga people.

The book’s inclusion on the AG-BLF Book Prize longlist places it among the works being considered for recognition in English-language fiction. For readers interested in literature that brings diverse cultural worlds into contemporary storytelling, it is a title worth exploring.

Discover the book: The Sky Husband by Esterine Kire

About the Atta Galatta–Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize

The Atta Galatta–Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize is presented through a collaboration between Atta Galatta, a Bengaluru-based bookstore and literary space, and the Bangalore Literature Festival.

The 2026 edition features seven categories, spanning English-language fiction and non-fiction, cover design, and children's books. The awards carry a total prize purse of ₹3.5 lakh to be shared among the winners across the categories.

The selection process recognises eligible books published within the stipulated period, with entries reviewed by a jury panel comprising writers.

According to the announced schedule, the shortlist is due by 15 November 2026. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony during the Bangalore Literature Festival, scheduled for 12 and 13 December 2026.

A significant moment for Northeast Indian literature

Recognition on national literary platforms helps bring the region's writers and stories to a broader readership. Northeast India has a rich literary landscape shaped by its many communities, languages, oral traditions and cultural histories.

Esterine Kire's longlisting is a welcome occasion to celebrate this diversity and encourage more readers to explore literature from Nagaland and the wider Northeast.

For NortheastReads, moments like these reaffirm the importance of documenting and promoting the region's books and authors. Each recognition offers another opportunity for readers to discover voices and stories that deserve a wider audience.

As the awards progress towards the November shortlist and December announcement, we look forward to following The Sky Husband on its journey.

Congratulations to Esterine Kire on this wonderful achievement!

Discover more books from Northeast India

Looking to explore more authors and stories from the region? Visit NortheastReads.com to discover books by writers from across Northeast India.

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