British writer Monica Ali is among six writers short-listed for this year's £50,000 Booker Prize.

Others in the list are Booker veteran Margaret Atwood, Zoe Heller, Damon Galgut, Clare Morrall and D B C Pierre.

Professor John Carey, chair of the judges, announced the shortlist at a press conference in London on Tuesday.

Ali, of Bangladeshi origin, is in the race for her debut novel, Brick Lane, an examination of immigrant life in East London.

The literary magazine Granta recently included her on the list of best young British writers. The Observer, London, too praised her as "one of the best novelists of her generation".

Last year's Booker was won by Yann Martel for his novel The Life of Pi, about a boy trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger.

The winner will be announced October 14 in London.