London Magazine launches award for debut fiction

Literary periodical The London Magazine is launching a new literary award for debuts in partnership with law firm Collyer Bristow.

The London Magazine and Collyer Bristow Prize for a Debut Work of Fiction intends to celebrate "exceptional" literary fiction and the 2018 edition will award a stand-out debut novel published in the UK between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2017.

The judging panel will be chaired by London Magazine reviews editor Matthew Scott and comprise of journalist Suzi Feay, book critic Houman Barekat, and partner at Collyer Bristow, Steven Heffer.

Scott said: “The London Magazine has a long history of publishing young fiction writers, including T.S Eliot, Doris Lessing, Evelyn Waugh and Barney Norris, at the beginning of their careers, and we want to take this opportunity to continue celebrating debut fiction writers from the UK.”

With regards to the sponsorship deal, the magazine said that it has had an "excellent ongoing relationship" with Collyer Bristow since the magazine's relaunch in 2010 and that the law firm also has a history of sponsoring contemporary artists. "This is a longstanding partnership which we anticipate being both enduring and fruitful", it added.

The winner of the prize will receive £1,000, presented at a literary event held at the Collyer Bristow Contemporary Art Gallery on the 20th September.

The shortlist will be announced on the 1st June.