The authors shortlisted for the Man Booker 2012 literary prize (L-R) Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng, South African-born British author Deborah Levy, British author Hilary Mantel, British author Alison Moore, British author Will Self and Indian author Jeet Thayil pose with their novels during a photocall in London on October 15, 2012. The prestigious Man Booker literary prize, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008 after launching in 1969, is awarded annually by a panel of judges to reward what they see as the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. The winner of the 2012 prize will be announced on October 16 at London’s Guildhall. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/GettyImages