Right now at Galley Beggar Press everyone is quite obviously thrilled about the Folio Prize shortlist. After already winning the Goldsmiths Prize last year, it is superb to see Eimear's fantastic work recognised yet again. I could wax lyrical for hours about why I love this book, but I think you probably already know. Instead, as part publisher and part bookseller, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the other books on this excellent list.

The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner is an unavoidable title as a bookseller. Making up one fifth of the American contingent on the list, it caused a big stir in the US on its publication last year. Not only was this title a huge source of debate, it also reached the final of the National Book Awards for its feisty depiction of 1970's New York. Certainly its inclusion on the Folio shortlist will bring the novel much more English attention than it may have seen before.

Another New York tale is Sergio De La Pava's weighty tome, A Naked Singularity. As you can imagine, I quite like a good publishing story. Originally self published, the book went on to be snapped up by the ever reliable MacLehose Press. Clocking in at over 800 pages, it's certainly the 'epic' of this list, highlighting the outer extremes of this diverse prize. As with many of the other titles, the book has already won something - in this case the PEN/Robert W Bingham award for debut fiction.

Thank to the the Folio Prize ambition to champion works "regardless of form and genre", a collection of short stories and a book of prose poetry have both made their way on to the list along side the more traditional novels. In fact it would be doing Anne Carson an injustice to simply refer to Red Doc> as prose poetry (it would also be doing her an injustice to call her American, stop it everyone, she's Canadian). If anyone is challenging 'form and genre', Anne is, and not for the first time. She blends drama, mythology and death in a huge, unruly novel that really adds lyrical excitement. Red Doc> also had the honour of shortlisting for the TS Eliot Prize last year, showing yet more prize pedigree.

Representing the short story is George Saunders, a man well-used to the media attention. In fact the book shortlisted here, Tenth of December, was included in the New York Times end of year list for 2013 alongside Rachel Kushner. Political, tragicomic and immensely readable, it displays yet again the Folio penchant for exciting, fresh content.

The only English writer to make the shortlist is one with unmistakable pedigree. Though not necessarily a household name, Jane Gardam boasts an OBE, two Whitbread awards and is a fellow of The Royal Society of Literature. Those honours, combined with The fact that she’s now published well over 20 books make her a serious heavyweight. Similarly to some of her American counterparts, Gardam has enjoyed much more success in her home country than overseas, this time with the trilogy ending Last Friends. Don't be mistaken for thinking this is a final conclusion to a story though, the form this book takes is another example of inventive, intelligent writing from a clearly expert novelist.

Benediction by Kent Haruf is part of a cyclical series focussing heavily on a sense of place. Where other books on this list may flirt with travel, terrestrial plains and the importance of journey, this story revels in the ever popular idea of 'small town America'. As with Jane Gardam, Haruf is a writer fiercely in control of his style, one who has also distinguished himself as an award winning novelist. It sits comfortably with other distinctly American titles on the list but perhaps years of craft have led to a more honed, experienced voice.

Taking us to a thematic extreme yet again is Schroder by Amity Gaige. An apology written from the perspective of an emigrant, jailed father is certainly a novel inclusion to this varied shortlist. You would be forgiven for finding similarities to Nabokov's Lolita, a comparison the author has had to hear countless times. Often talked about, but perhaps not as much as some of the other authors, the nomination of Gaige will be music to many peoples ears.

Above all the Folio Prize is fascinating. Taking place in a time of great change for publishing, bookselling and literary prize giving, it really does nail its colours to the mast. There's going to be an interesting debate about nationality and gender, most noticeably with the overwhelming American majority, but craft is the real talking point here. Exciting, innovative writing that takes risks with form and theme, works of real originality. A prize, with real weight, championing the best in new writing.