The Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize
We are pleased to announce that entries are now being accepted for our fifth annual First Novel Prize. The award is now called The Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize, and is supported by writer Nancy Dunnan in honor of her late father, newspaperman Ray Flaherty. It was formerly known as The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
As customary, the award carries with it a $10,000 cash prize for the winner. However, beginning this year thanks to the generosity of our new donor the other shortlisted writers will each receive $1,000. The shortlist for the award will be announced in September 2010 and the prize will be given at The Center for Fiction's Annual Benefit and Awards Dinner in December this year.For questions about the prize please contact kristin@centerforfiction.org
Submission Process
Any U. S. publisher may enter books that will be published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. We prefer that these be submitted as finished copies, if available. Bound galleys and bound, edited manuscripts are also acceptable. An entry form and a $50 entry fee must be submitted for each title entered in the competition. You may apply and pay online at www.centerforfiction.org or you may send the entry form and fee directly to:
The Center for Fiction
17 East 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
Small independent publishers may apply for a fee waiver; please contact us at kristin@centerforfiction.org or call 212-755-6710 for more information.
All entry forms and books must be postmarked no later than March 17, 2010. Entry forms and books may be sent separately. The Center for Fiction must receive six copies of each book, bound galley, or bound, edited manuscript.
Publishers are urged not to hold submissions until the last possible date, but to send books, bound galleys, or bound, edited manuscripts AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Our reading process begins immediately upon receipt.
Eligibility
Only first-time novelists who are American citizens or permanent residents are eligible for this award.
Only full-length first novels written in English are eligible. Novellas, collections of short stories, and YA novels whether related or unrelated, are NOT eligible.
Otherwise, novels in ALL genres are eligible.
Only books published for the first time in the United States between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 are eligible.
Books previously published elsewhere are NOT eligible.
Self-published books and eBook only editions are NOT eligible.
There is no limit on the number of books entered by each publisher, provided each submission complies with the rules as above.
In the event of a dispute as to eligibility, The Center for Fiction will decide whether a book is eligible, and its decision will be binding.
Any books entered for the Awards process by the publishers that are subsequently determined to be ineligible, will still be subject to the stated entry fee of $50 per title.
The panel also may request titles that have not been submitted by publishers. Publishers are then asked by the Center to submit these titles for consideration and the entry fee will be waived.
Selection Process
The selection of the shortlist and winning novel is determined through a two-tiered process. A network of booklovers that includes writers, librarians, staff, and members and friends of The Center for Fiction first read submissions. The long list recommended by these Common Readers, as they are called, is then forwarded to a committee of distinguished American writers. From those recommended novels, our panel of judges chooses the shortlist and the winner. (Our judges in 2009 were A. M. Homes, Martha McPhee, Mark Sarvas, Christopher Sorrentino and Hannah Tinti.)
Additional Conditions of the Award
Publishers of the winning and shortlisted books must agree:
A. To indicate that the book is a finalist or winner of the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize by including the award medallion or approved text on future editions.
B. To inform authors of entered books that if chosen for the shortlist they must be present at the Center for Fiction's Annual Benefit and Awards Dinner in New York City.
C. To inform authors that, if shortlisted, they must agree to participate in the Center's related publicity, including a reading at the Center for Fiction.
D. The recipient of the Award must agree to allow his/her acceptance speech to be published by The Center for Fiction on its website, to be podcast there, and to be published in the Center newsletter and in a future anthology of award winners' speeches and interviews.
