Namibian based writer Sharon Kasanda's novel 'Dante International' has made it through the first stage of the judging process for the Commonwealth Book Prize for the best book published in 2012.

Published in June last year by Workweaver Publishing House, 'Dante International' is Kasanda's first novel.

Upon receiving the news Kasanda could not contain her excitement.

"I can't put it into words, I am really excited. I have gotten so much support, this is a good first step. We think Namibia is a small market but there is so much support for writers, Namibian writers are coming out and asking how to be published."

The Commonwealth Book Prize is open to writers who are Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or over and who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published in the year of entry.

The Commonwealth Book Prize is part of an initiative by the Commonwealth Foundation called Commonwealth Writers, which seeks to unearth, develop and promote the best new fiction from across the Commonwealth.

The winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize for the best book published in 2012 will be announced in April.