The First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, first awarded in 2006, was created to honor the best debut fiction of the year. The winner receives a $15,000 prize and each shortlisted author receives $1,000.
The First Novel Prize is given to a debut novel published in the United States between January 1st and December 31st of the competing year. The 2023 submission window closed on March 17th. The longlist will be announced in July, followed by the shortlist in September. In December, the shortlisted authors will be celebrated at our First Novel Fête and the winner will be announced at our Awards Benefit. We relish this opportunity to continue supporting and encouraging the art of fiction in the United States.
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The First Novel Prize
2022 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2022 First Novel Prize was awarded to Noor Naga for her debut novel If an Egyptian... -
The First Novel Prize
2021 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2021 First Novel Prize was awarded to Kirstin Valdez Quade for her debut novel The... -
The First Novel Prize
2020 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize was awarded to Raven Leilani for her debut novel Luster (Farrar... -
The First Novel Prize
2019 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2019 First Novel Prize was awarded to De’Shawn Charles Winslow for his debut novel... -
The First Novel Prize
2018 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2018 First Novel Prize was awarded to Tommy Orange for his debut novel There There (Alfred A -
The First Novel Prize
2017 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2017 First Novel Prize was awarded to Julie Lekstrom Hines for her debut novel Mikhail... -
The First Novel Prize
2016 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2016 First Novel Prize was awarded to Kia Corthron for her debut novel The Castle... -
2015 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2015 First Novel Prize was awarded to Viet Thanh Nguyen for his debut novel The Sympathizer... -
The First Novel Prize
2014 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2014 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Tiphanie... -
The First Novel Prize
2013 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2013 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Margaret... -
2012 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2012 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Ben... -
2011 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2011 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Bonnie... -
The First Novel Prize
2010 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2010 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Karl... -
2009 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2009 First Novel Prize (then called the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize) was awarded to John... -
The First Novel Prize
2008 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2008 First Novel Prize (then called the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize) was awarded to Hannah... -
The First Novel Prize
2007 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2007 First Novel Prize (then called the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize) was awarded to Junot... -
The First Novel Prize
2006 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction’s inaugural First Novel Prize (then called the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize) was awarded... -
The First Novel Prize
First Novel Prize Winners: The Complete List
Debut novels from Marisha Pessl, Junot Díaz, Hannah Tinti, John Pipkin, Karl Marlantes, Bonnie Nadzam, Ben Fountain, Margaret...
2021 Winner: Kirstin Valdez Quade
Kirstin Valdez Quade received The Center for Fiction 2021 First Novel Prize for The Five Wounds (W. W. Norton & Company). Our 2020 winner, Raven Leilani, presented the award to Quade on December 7, 2021 at our Annual Awards Benefit and 200th Anniversary Celebration hosted by Fran Lebowitz.
2020 Winner: Raven Leilani
Raven Leilani received The Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for Luster (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan). Our 2019 winner, De’Shawn Charles Winslow, presented the award to Leilani on December 3, 2020 at our virtual Annual Awards Benefit hosted by Yvonne Orji.
2019 Winner: De'Shawn Charles Winslow
De’Shawn Charles Winslow received The Center for Fiction 2019 First Novel Prize for In West Mills (Bloomsbury). Monique Truong presented the award to Winslow on December 10, 2020 at our Annual Awards Benefit hosted by Eisa Davis.
2023 First Novel Prize Schedule
- Titles must have a publication date between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023
- The submission window will open on January 23, 2023
- The submission window will close on March 17, 2023
- The longlist will be announced in July 2023
- The shortlist will be announced in September 2023
- The winner will be announced at our Benefit in December 2023
2023 Eligibility Requirements
Click here to review the 2023 eligibility requirements, learn about the selection process, and more.
Book Cover Medallions
The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize medallions are available for the covers of winning, shortlisted, and longlisted titles. Questions? Please contact Celeste Kaufman at [email protected] for more information.