LONDON: Hilary Mantel, Barbara Kingsolver and Zadie Smith are among three British authors and three Americans shortlisted for the Women's Prize for fiction.   

Mantel's ''Bring Up the Bodies,'' Kingsolver's ''Flight Behavior'' and Smith's ''NW'' are finalists for the award, previously known as the Orange Prize.

The other contenders announced Tuesday are A.M. Homes' ''May We Be Forgiven,'' Kate Atkinson's ''Life After Life'' and Maria Semple's ''Where'd You Go, Bernadette?''

Mantel, Smith and Atkinson are British, while Homes, Kingsolver and Semple — a former writer for TV shows including ''Saturday Night Live'' and ''Arrested Development'' — are American.

The award, in its 18th year, celebrates writing by women in English from around the world.

The winner, announced in London on June 5, will receive 30,000 pounds ($45,000).