First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, first awarded in 2006, recognizes the best debut novel of the year, and supports emerging voices in fiction. 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 longlist is announced in the summer, followed by the shortlist in the fall. In December, the shortlisted authors are celebrated at the First Novel Fête and the winner is announced at our Annual Awards Benefit.
The submission window for the 2026 First Novel Prize is open through March 13, 2026. Click here to learn more.
The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize is supported in part by Hawthornden Foundation. For support opportunities, please reach out to Melissa Wyse at [email protected].
Questions? Contact us.
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First Novel Prize
2025 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2025 First Novel Prize was awarded to Darrell Kinsey for his debut novel Natch... -
First Novel Prize
2024 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize was awarded to Joseph Earl Thomas for his debut novel God... -
First Novel Prize
2023 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize was awarded to Tyriek White for his debut novel We Are a Haunting... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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 -
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... -
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... -
2014 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2014 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Tiphanie... -
2013 First Novel Prize
The Center for Fiction 2013 First Novel Prize (then called the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize) was awarded to Margaret... -
First Novel Prize
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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...
Recent Winners
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2025: Darrell Kinsey
Darrell Kinsey received The Center for Fiction 2025 First Novel Prize for Natch (University of Iowa Press).
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2024: Joseph Earl Thomas
Joseph Earl Thomas received The Center for Fiction 2024 First Novel Prize for God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer (Hachette Book Group / Grand Central Publishing).
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2023: Tyriek White
Tyriek White received The Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize for We Are a Haunting (Astra House).
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2022: Noor Naga
Noor Naga received The Center for Fiction 2022 First Novel Prize for If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English (Graywolf Press).
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2021: Kirstin Valdez Quade
Kirstin Valdez Quade received The Center for Fiction 2021 First Novel Prize for The Five Wounds (W. W. Norton & Company).
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2020: Raven Leilani
Raven Leilani received The Center for Fiction 2020 First Novel Prize for Luster (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan).
All Winners: The Complete List
Browse all of the winning titles, including work by Marisha Pessl, Junot Díaz, Hannah Tinti, John Pipkin, Karl Marlantes, Bonnie Nadzam, Ben Fountain, Margaret Wrinkle, Tiphanie Yanique, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Julie Lekstrom Himes, Kia Corthron, Tommy Orange, and De’Shawn Charles Winslow.
2026 First Novel Prize Schedule
- Titles must have a publication date between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2o26
- The submission window opens on January 13, 2026
- The submission window closes on March 13, 2026
- The longlist is announced in Summer 2026
- The shortlist is announced in Fall 2026
- The winner is announced at our Benefit in December 2026
2026 Eligibility Requirements
Click here to review the 2026 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 Matt Kafoury, Art Director, at [email protected] for more information.