Polari First Book Prize 2016 shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the Polari First Book Prize was announced last night (Thursday July 28, 2016) at the Polari Literary Salon in London’s Southbank Centre by founder and chair of judges Paul Burston.

Now in its sixth year, the Prize is awarded annually to a writer whose first book explores the LGBT experience, whether in poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction.

The six shortlisted titles are:

♦ Blood Relatives: Stevan Alcock (Fourth Estate)

♦ Sugar and Snails: Anne Goodwin (Inspired Quill)

♦ Trans: Juliet Jacques (Verso)

♦ Different for Girls: Jacquie Lawrence (Zitebooks)

♦ Physical: Andrew McMillan (Jonathan Cape)

♦ The Good Son: Paul McVeigh (Salt)

This year’s shortlist draws a spotlight on the increasing breadth and diversity of works focusing on the LGBT experience and demonstrates the remarkable candour and breadth of talent of the LGBT literary community.

Fiction features strongly – from Anne Goodwin’s poignant midlife coming-of-age (Sugar and Snails) and Jacquie Lawrence’s exploration of love through the entangled lives of six women (Different for Girls) to Paul McVeigh’s funny and frightening story of a young boy navigating the troubles of 1980s Northern Ireland (The Good Son) and Stevan Alcock’s unforgettable tale of teenage life set to the backdrop of the Yorkshire Ripper murders (Blood Relatives). The shortlist is rounded-off by Juliet Jacques poignant memoir of the transgender experience (Trans) and a raw yet moving collection of poems written in celebration of the masculine form (Physical) by Andrew McMillan.

Chair of judges Paul Burston said: “From an exceptionally strong long list, we are delighted to present a shortlist of books which successfully highlight the range of experiences and talent in the LGBT literary community. Our strongest ever. Since we began this year’s judging process the world has turned on its head. At a time when it has never been more important to draw our similarities over our differences, each book chosen gives us all insights into other worlds; a sense of what it’s like to walk in another’s shoes. Choosing a winner will be incredibly challenging.”

The 2016 prize is being judged by a panel consisting of chair Paul Burston, author, journalist and host of Polari literary salon; Rachel Holmes, author and former Head of Literature & Spoken Word at the Southbank; Suzi Feay, literary critic; VG Lee, author and comedian and Alex Hopkins, writer and editor.

The announcement also marks the pre-launch of Polari on Tour, a UK-wide series of events taking London’s award-winning Polari Literary Salon to major cities from September to November.

The overall winner will be revealed at the London Literature Festival on Friday 7 October, 2016 at the Southbank Centre.

Polari Literary Salon began in 2007 in the upstairs room of a bar in Soho. Events are now held monthly at the Southbank Centre and regularly sell out. In 2013, Polari was named LGBT Cultural Event of the Year in the Co-op Respect Loved By You Awards.

The Polari First Book Prize was launched in 2011. Last year’s winner was Glasgow based author Kirsty Logan for The Rental Heart and other Fairy Tales.

The winner will be announced at the London Literature Festival on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Southbank Centre.

Polari First Book Prize partners include WH Smiths Travel and Square Peg Media.

Polari on Tour – Key Dates:

JULY 28 – PRE-TOUR LAUNCH AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE, LONDON

SEPTEMBER 8 – CHAPTER, CARDIFF

SEPTEMBER 22 – BISHOPS STORTFORD LIBRARY

SEPTEMBER 28 – PRINTWORKS, HASTINGS

OCTOBER 14 – MARLBOROUGH THEATRE, BRIGHTON

OCTOBER 21 – NOTTINGHAM WRITERS’ STUDIO

NOVEMBER 4 – ASSEMBLY ROXY, EDINBURGH

NOVEMBER 11 – IDEAS STORE, TOWER HAMLETS

NOVEMBER 15 – HOVE LIBRARY