Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
せんたーふぉーふぃくしょん ふぁーすと のべるしょう
Annual literary prize awarded by New York's Center for Fiction to debut long novels written in English.
Debut novel awardLong novelEnglish-language worksAmerican literary award
- Established
- 2006
- Organizer
- Center for Fiction (non-profit organization in New York)
- Category
- General Fiction and Popular Fiction
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Newcomer
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Application Deadline
- around March
- Announcement Period
- around December
- Status
- Active
Description
The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, established in 2006, is an annual literary award targeting debut long novels (first novels) written in English. It accepts nominations from publishers, followed by longlist recommendations from Common Readers (librarians, writers, center staff, members, friends, etc.), and a committee of prominent American writers selects the shortlist (usually 5-7 works). Finalists participate in readings at the First Novel Fête, and the winner is typically announced at the December award ceremony. The winner receives $10,000, and each finalist receives $1,000.
Prize
- Main Prize
- US$10,000 to the winner, US$1,000 to each finalist.
- Cash Prize
- 10,000 USD
- US$1,000 prize money to each finalist
- Finalists are invited to read at the First Novel Fête
- Shortlist is usually 5-7 works
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher nomination → Longlist creation by Common Readers (first round) | Common Readers (reading community including librarians, writers, Center for Fiction staff, members, friends, etc.) | null | Longlist is created based on Common Readers' recommendations and submitted to the next-stage committee. |
| Shortlist selection by selection committee (second round) | Committee consisting of prominent American writers | null | Shortlist is usually announced publicly in late summer (typically 5-7 works). |
| Finalists reading (First Novel Fête) | Selection committee and Center for Fiction management | null | Finalists are invited to read at the First Novel Fête (public event). |
| Final announcement of winner (award ceremony) | Selection committee (final selection) | null | The winner is typically announced at the December award event. |
Publisher nomination → Longlist creation by Common Readers (first round)
Judges
Common Readers (reading community including librarians, writers, Center for Fiction staff, members, friends, etc.)
Pass Rate
null
Announcement
Longlist is created based on Common Readers' recommendations and submitted to the next-stage committee.
Shortlist selection by selection committee (second round)
Judges
Committee consisting of prominent American writers
Pass Rate
null
Announcement
Shortlist is usually announced publicly in late summer (typically 5-7 works).
Finalists reading (First Novel Fête)
Judges
Selection committee and Center for Fiction management
Pass Rate
null
Announcement
Finalists are invited to read at the First Novel Fête (public event).
Final announcement of winner (award ceremony)
Judges
Selection committee (final selection)
Pass Rate
null
Announcement
The winner is typically announced at the December award event.
Criteria
- Literary quality (quality of style and expression)
- Quality of narrative structure and plot
- Depth and portrayal of characters
- Originality
- Quality and potential as a debut work
Application Tips
Dos
- 出版社を通じて正式にノミネートしてもらう（出版社ノミネート制）
- 英語で書かれたデビュー長編小説であることを確認する
- 出版情報や必要な資料（刊行日、ISBN、校了版等）を整理しておく
- 作品の文体・声（voice）と独自性を明確にする
- ショートリスト発表時期（遅い夏）や授賞関連イベント（12月）に向けた広報・スケジュールを準備する
Don''ts
- 出版社のノミネートを経ずに個人で直接応募しない（原則ノミネート制）
- デビュー作でない作品を応募しない
- 英語以外の言語で書かれた作品を応募しない（対象は英語作品）
- 不正確な出版情報や虚偽の申告をしない
From Judges
- 文章の“声（voice）”と文体の独自性は重要である
- 登場人物の深さや物語の一貫性を大切にすること
- 編集済みで読みやすい清書を提出すること（誤字脱字の少ない状態）
- 完成度とオリジナリティの両方を示す作品が評価されやすい
Related Awards
- John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize (former name 2006–2011)
- Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize (former name 2011–2014)
- PEN/Hemingway Award (for debut novels)
- List of American literary awards (list of American literary awards)