Polari First Book Prize reveals 2016 longlist

Longlist revealed for Polari First Book Prize 2016.

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 Polari First Book Prize 2016 longlist is:

♦        Blood Relatives – Stevan Alcock (Fourth Estate)

♦        Arc – David Clarke (Nine Arches Press)

♦        Sugar and Snails – Anne Goodwin (Inspired Quill)

♦        Jebel Marra – Michelle Green (Comma Press)

♦        Slap – Alexis Gregory (Team Angelica)

♦        The Manservant – Michael Harwood (Kensington)

♦        Trans – Juliet Jacques (Verso)

♦        Different For Girls – Jacquie Lawrence (Zitebooks)

♦        Dead Man’s Hand – Mark Lock (Accent)

♦        Physical – Andrew McMillan (Cape Poetry)

♦        The Good Son – Paul McVeigh (Salt)

♦        Kiss & Make Up – Carl Stanley (Ignite)

The 2016 longlist builds on the strength and diversity of previous years including everything from poetry and play scripts to crime, drama and non-fiction, the complexities of the war in Darfur and three titles which address the transgender experience. Authors hail from Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Brighton and South Wales and plot-lines span from London bathrooms to stately homes and onwards to the Middle-East.

The 12 books chosen demonstrate the breadth and richness of works inspired by the LGBT community

Judges for the 2016 prize include:

♦   Paul Burston; Chair, author, journalist and host of Polari literary salon

♦   Rachel Holmes; Author and former Head of Literature and Spoken Word at the Southbank

♦   Suzi Feay; Literary critic

♦   Bidisha; Writer, critic and broadcaster

♦   VG Lee; Author and comedian

♦   Alex Hopkins; Writer and editor

Chair of the judges Paul Burston, said: “Overall, the quality of submissions this year was exceptionally high. The judges were impressed by the diversity of voices and the wide range of work submitted – everything from memoir and first novels to poetry and a published play script. It was also encouraging to see more submissions reflecting the trans experience. This is probably the strongest long list we’ve ever had. Deciding on the short list will be extremely difficult”

The shortlist will be announced on Thursday July 28, 2016 at a special Polari literary salon held at The Southbank Centre.

This will also be the pre-tour event for this year’s 14 date national tour – taking in Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle, Hastings, Edinburgh, Blackpool, Hull, Brighton and more. The overall winner will then be revealed 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.