The M-Net Awards are unique in that they invite entries from all the country’s indigenous languages. This year's shortlisted novels fall into four language categories, which were determined by the number of published works received. The categories are Nguni (isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, SeSwati); Sotho (SeSotho, SePedi, SeTswana); Afrikaans; and English.

In addition to the top novels in each language category, the panel of judges also identified novels that showed potential to be developed into a screenplay for the film category. All the novels which were submitted for the main awards were automatically considered for this award, with the exception of novels with existing, attached screen rights.

While many of the books in all the language categories displayed strong narratives which could be portrayed vividly on the big screen, the universal appeal of these stories, the practicality of the adaptation, as well as the potential buzz and box office success, played a significant role in the final selection. The judges deliberated passionately about the filmic merit of a long list of suitable candidates but in the endnarrowed it down to one book from each of the language categories.

The prize money for each of the 2011 M-Net Literary Awards category winners was increased to R50 000 in cash (from R30000).

The list of contenders in the different categories includes:

Nguni
- Guga Mzimba (Young at heart), Khethiwe Agrineth Mkhize, Maskew Miller Longman, isiZulu;
- Inkululeko Isentabeni (Freedom is a struggle), Ncedile Saule, Hibbard Publishers, isiXhosa; and
- Ityeleba (Wild water mint - “a sweet-smelling traditional herb”), Siphatheleni Kula, Hibbard Publishers, isiXhosa.

Sotho
- Ha ditswere di tsanyaola (When the nightingales sing), Kgotso Pieter David Maphalla, Hibbard Publishers, Sesotho;
- Lehutšo (Hope), Kobate John Sekele, Hibbard Publishers, Sepedi; and
- Tutudu ha e patwe (You can’t put a good man down), Mathene Mahanke, Nkahema Publishing and Consulting cc, Sesotho.

English
- Last Summer, Craig Higginson, Pan Macmillan;
- Double Negative, Ivan Vladislavic, Umuzi Publishers; and
- In a Strange Room, Damon Galgut, Penguin Books SA; and
- Zoo City, Lauren Beukes, Jacana Media.

Afrikaans
- Afstande, Dan Sleigh, Tafelberg;
- Die Benederyk, Ingrid Winterbach, Human & Rousseau;
- Dwaalpoort, Alexander Strachan, Tafelberg; and
- Marike se Laaste Dans, Deborah Steinmair, Human & Rousseau.

Film Category
- Happiness is a four-letter word, Cynthia Jele, Kwela Books;
- Lehutšo (Hope), Kobate John Sekele, Hibbard Publishers, Sepedi; and
- Tou, Piet Steyn, Tafelberg.

M-Net's Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications, Koo Govender, says the entries for this year's M-Net Literary Awards once again prove that the South African novel is flourishing. "We would like to thank all the authors, book editors and publishers for their contribution to our unique literary heritage and will continue to review the mechanisms of the M-Net Literary Awards to acknowledge true talent."

The winners of the M-Net Literary Awards will be announced on Saturday, 18 June, at a gala event in Cape Town.