The Center for Fiction revealed the shortlist for its First Novel Prize with seven books in contention for the award that “recognizes the best debut novel of the year, and supports emerging voices in fiction.”
Colwill Brown made the shortlist for We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, alongside Rickey Fayne for The Devil Three Times and Justin Haynes for Ibis.
Alejandro Heredia was named a finalist for Loca, as were Darrell Kinsey for Natch, Mariam Rahmani for Liquid, and Shubha Sunder for Optional Practical Training.
The judges for this year’s award are authors Xochitl Gonzalez (Anita de Monte Laughs Last), Adam Haslett (Mothers and Sons), Tracy O'Neill (Woman of Interest), and Joseph Earl Thomas (God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer).
“In this age of attention overload, it can be so hard for first-time novelists, who’ve put their hearts and souls into these books, to find an audience,” Gonzalez said. “Through the First Novel Prize, it’s wonderful to be able to elevate titles that might have otherwise been overlooked. There is something for everyone on this list—but what every book holds is marvelous storytelling with the promise of even more to come in the future.”
The First Novel Prize was established in 2006. Previous winners include Hannah Tinti for The Good Thief, Karl Marlantes for Matterhorn, and Raven Leilani for Luster.
The winner of this year’s award, which comes with a cash prize of $15,000, will be announced at a benefit in New York on December 9.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
