Center for Fiction Announces 2021 First Novel Shortlist
The Center for Fiction has announced the shortlist for the 2021 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. These seven titles were selected from a longlist featuring 27 debut novels published in the United States between January 1 and December 31, 2021. This years judging panel comprised Alexander Chee, Susan Choi, Yaa Gyasi, Raven Leilani, and Dinaw Mengestu. Each shortlisted author will receive $1,000, and the winner will receive a $15,000 prize. The winning novel will be announced at the Center’s Annual Awards Benefit and 200th Anniversary Celebration on December 7.
The shortlist is as follows:
- The City of Good Death by Priyanka Champaneri (Restless Books)
- Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng (Simon & Schuster)
- The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (Harper)
- Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith (Random House)
- No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood (Riverhead)
- Brood by Jackie Polzin (Doubleday)
- The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade (W. W. Norton)