The Center for Fiction revealed the shortlist for its 2023 First Novel Prize, with seven authors in contention for the annual literary prize.
Elizabeth Acevedo was named a finalist for Family Lore, her first novel for adult readers. Her young adult novels include The Poet X and Clap When You Land, both past finalists for the Kirkus Prize.
Christine Byl made the shortlist for Lookout, while Eskor David Johnson was named a finalist for Pay as You Go.
Jamila Minnicks was shortlisted for Moonrise Over New Jessup, which previously won the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Tracey Rose Peyton was named a finalist for Night Wherever We Go, along with Tyriek White for We Are a Haunting and Esther Yi for Y/N.
The First Novel Prize was established in 2006. Previous winners include Karl Marlantes for Matterhorn, Ben Fountain for Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Tiphanie Yanique for Land of Love and Drowning, and Noor Naga for If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English.
The judges for this year’s award, which comes with a cash prize of $15,000, are Hannah Lillith Assadi, Ayana Mathis, Tochi Onyebuchi, and Deesha Philyaw. The winner will be announced on Dec. 5.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
