Announcing the Curtis Brown First Novel Prize Shortlist
BY Curtis Brown 120
3rd Oct 2019
We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the Curtis Brown First Novel Prize. We were awed by the quality of the over 3,000 entries to the Prize – we found ourselves arguing passionately as we narrowed down the longlist to the final 7 (one more than we had originally agreed, as we just couldn’t leave a single one of these stories out!). This has been an exciting and energizing process and we are looking forward to watching brilliant careers develop for these talented writers. Without further ado, the judging panel formed of Curtis Brown agents and the Curtis Brown Creative team are excited to reveal our 7 shortlisted titles: #beauisfineBlessed JoanDazzlingMonkeyflowerThe Three Sisters Below Strang WoodThe Wickedry of Mrs WoodZN The winner, chosen by chair of our judging panel Tracy Chevalier – bestselling author of Girl with the Pearl Earring and A Single Thread, will be revealed on 10th October. The Prize was open to un-agented novels both finished and unfinished, across all genres of adult fiction. The author of the winning novel will be offered representation by Curtis Brown plus a prize of £3,000, while the first runner-up will receive a place on a three-month novel-writing course at Curtis Brown Creative, and a mentoring session with one of the Curtis Brown 120 agents. The remaining shortlisted entrants will be offered a place on a six-week online course with Curtis Brown Creative and a mentoring session with one of the Curtis Brown 120 agents.