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Nota Bene Prize 2024 shortlist announced as woman and début authors dominate
The shortlist for the 2024 Nota Bene Prize has been announced, with woman and début authors dominating the list. The shortlist includes titles by Claire Daverley, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi, Colin Walsh, Jenna Clake, Liv Little and Anna Metcalfe.
This year’s shortlist, which includes five début novels, was selected in coordination with a panel of readers—a group of authors, booksellers and online creators. Each book on the list is "a thought-provoking read that has received organic, word-of-mouth recognition, and is deserving of a wider readership".
The judging panel includes author and podcaster Bobby Palmer, writer and editor Shahed Ezaydi and the c.e.o of Aphra and a Forbes 30 Under 30 Molly Masters, and will be chaired by author and founder of Black Pens and Surviving Out Loud Onyi Nwabineli. Also joining the judging panel are content creator and writer Zeynep Kazaz and author Amy Twigg.
The Nota Bene Prize, run by Agile Ideas, an independent literary and marketing agency, "champions influential fiction and seeks to guide open-minded readers towards acclaimed works of fiction that have been recommended by trusted, passionate, and notable readers".
Sophie Percival, digital manager at Agile Ideas, said: "After such a wonderful campaign in 2023 following our rebrand, we’re so happy to have another selection of unmissable titles to celebrate this year! Our 2024 shortlist is full of books that embody our ethos at the Nota Bene Prize—each shortlisted title offers a diverse and compelling story written by the rising talents of the industry, and we can’t wait to shine a light on these literary gems."
For more information about the Nota Bene Prize, please visit: www.notabeneprize.com/
Shortlisted Titles
- Disturbance, Jenna Clake (Orion Books, Trapeze)
- Talking at Night, Claire Daverley (Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House)
- Rosewater, Liv Little (Dialogue Books)
- The Centre, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi (Pan Macmillan, Picador)
- Chrysalis, Anna Metcalfe (Granta)
- Kala, Colin Walsh (Atlantic Books)
The winning author will be awarded a cash prize of £1500.
Nwabineli said: "Débuting just two short years ago and understanding the challenges associated with getting eyes on your work, it’s such an honour and a pleasure to be chairing the Nota Bene Prize and shining the spotlight on such deserving authors and their outstanding and captivating stories. The joy is the reading, the pain is the deciding! As judges, we’re thrilled to be part of this process. Wishing all the shortlisted authors the very best of luck."
