The longlist for the Polari First Book Prize was announced last
night at an event at the Southbank Centre. This year, for the first
time, the winner will receive £1000, courtesy of Square Peg
Media.
The Polari Prize is for a first book which explores the LGBT
experience and is open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or
non-fiction published in the UK in English within the twelve months
of the deadline for submissions (this year 1st February, 2012).
Self-published works in both print and digital formats are eligible
for submission.
The ten long listed books are:
Rory's Boys by Alan Clark (Bliss/Arcadia
Books)
Pennance by Claire Ashton (self published on
Kindle)
The Frost Fairs by John McCullogh (Salt)
Becoming Nancy by Terry Ronald (Transworld)
Exit Through The Wound by North Morgan (Limehouse
Books)
Body of Water by Stuart Wakefield (self
published)
Modern Love by Max Wallis (Flap)
Ey Up and Away by Vicky Ryder (Wandering Star
Press)
Grrl Alex by Alex Drummond, (self
published)
Perking The Pansies by Jack Scott (Summertime
Publishing)
Paul Burston, Chair of the judges, said: "This is a strong long
list which reflects the diversity of LGBT literary voices and the
variety of ways in which authors make their voices heard. The
judges would like to thank Linda Riley of Square Peg Media for her
generous support in celebrating the inventiveness, distinctiveness
and excellence of the very best of queer writing."
The short list will be announced in September and the winner will
be announced at the Polari 5th Birthday on Monday 26
November.
The judges for the 2012 prize are:
Paul Burston (Chair of Judges), author, journalist and host of
Polari
Rachel Holmes, Head of Literature at the Southbank
Suzi Feay, literary critic
Joe Storey-Scott, books buyer
Bidisha, writer, critic and broadcaster
Visit the Polari First Book Prize on Facebook
