Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize is an annual award presented by The Center for Fiction, a non-profit organization in New York City, to the best debut novel. As of 2012, the award is officially called the Flaherty—Dunnan First Novel Prize, named after Center for Fiction board member Nancy Dunnan who now funds the prize.[1] From 2006–2011, it was called the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize in honor of John Turner Sargent, Sr. (1924–2012).

Publishers nominate English-language works by first-time United States novelists.[2][3] There is a two-tiered selection process for the prize. First, the nominees are read by a network of booklovers (referred to as Common Readers), including librarians, writers, staff, members, and friends of The Center for Fiction, giving rise to a long list of recommended books. Next, the Common Readers' long list is forwarded to a committee of distinguished American writers, who select a short list, typically comprising five to seven titles, which is publicly announced in the late summer. All finalists are invited to read from their works at a First Novel Fête, and the winning novel is then announced at an awards event—both events usually occurring in December. The winning novelist receives a cash prize of $10,000; each finalist receives $1,000.[4]

Winners

Winners of the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize:[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Center for Fiction website, About the Prize, accessed 04/20/12.
  2. ↑ Poets & Writers Magazine, Grants and Awards, accessed 11/27/11.
  3. ↑ Lizzie Simon, "Agent Wins Literary Prize," Wall Street Journal, Dec. 8, 2010, accessed 11/27/11
  4. ↑ The Center for Fiction website, Flaherty-Dunnam Submission Process, accessed 11/27/11.
  5. ↑ , The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, Previous Winners, accessed 11/27/11.

External links