A total of 83 bloggers were also nominated for a special prize launched as part of this year's award.
Blog entries came from independent writers and journalists to posthumous efforts from Lenin, Archbishop Cranmer and Tom Paine.
Luminaries from the world of political journalism, including the likes of Ariel Leve, Donald Macintyre and Jonathan Freedland, will compete for the journalism prize, awarded to writers who have best achieved George Orwell's aim to 'make political writing into an art'.
The longlists for both prizes will be released on February 25, with shortlists following on March 25.
The awards ceremony will take place on April 22.
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