The shortlist for the Polari First Book Prize has been announced 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 by Stevan Alcock
Sugar and Snails by Anne Goodwin
Trans by Juliet Jacques
Different for Girls by Jacquie Lawrence
Physical by Andrew McMillan
The Good Son by Paul McVeigh
Chair of judges Paul Burston said: “From an exceptionally strong longlist, 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.”
Judges for the 2016 prize include author, journalist and host of Polari literary salon, chair Paul Burston; Rachel Holmes, author and former Head of Literature & Spoken Word at the Southbank; literary critic, Suzi Feay; writer, critic and broadcaster, Bidisha; author and comedian, VG Lee; and writer and editor Alex Hopkins.
The winner will be announced on 7th October. Last year’s winner was Kirsty Logan with The Rental Heart and Other Fairytales.
