The Center for Fiction has revealed the longlist for its 2026 First Novel Prize. Nineteen debut novels were selected from 180 eligible titles published in the United States this year. The shortlist will be announced in the fall.
The annual award, which began in 2006, recognizes outstanding debut fiction. More than 500 writers, librarians, and booksellers helped narrow the field. Past winners include Viet Thanh Nguyen and Tommy Orange.
The longlist features works such as Fallow by Sarah Anderson, Whidbey by T Kira Madden, and Kitten by Stacey Yu. Other titles include Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han and Ruins, Child by Giada Scodellaro.
The winning author will receive $15,000 in early December. Each shortlisted author will get $1,000. Shortlisted authors are scheduled to read from their books on December 4, 2026, with the winner announced four days later.