Excitement builds as 6 authors are shortlisted for the 2020 prize
Lucy Cavendish College, part of the University of Cambridge, has published a shortlist of 6 authors for its 2020 Fiction Prize. This was the second biggest year yet for the Prize, which received a total of over 400 entries. Many shortlisted authors in previous years have been offered agency representation and have gone on to be published.
The 2020 Shortlist
Bibi Berki – The Watch
Emma Barlow – Message Received
Aoife Fitzpatrick – An Arrangement in Grey and Black
Francesca Steele – The Group
Susan Stokes-Chapman – Pandora
Laure Van Rensburg – Eden Lost
Read more about the authors on the Fiction Prize website
The authors selected for the 2020 shortlist will now be waiting for the judging panel to agree a winner, to be announced on 29th October 2020.
Ten entries were free of charge thanks to the generous support of donors including Frances Perkins (writing as Frances Maynard, shortlisted in 2016), to support low income writers otherwise unable to afford entry fees.
The 2020 judging panel welcomes Jackie Ashley, political journalist, broadcaster and Honorary Fellow of the College (after leaving the College as its eight President). New to the panel is Clio Cornish (Editorial Director for Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House). Returning to the panel are literary agent Nelle Andrew, editor and ghost-writer Gillian Stern, Emeritus Fellow Lindsey Traub and poet, crime writer and Honorary Fellow, Sophie Hannah. Journalist and author Allison Pearson will chair the panel. Another newcomer to the judging panel this year is Tim Bates, Head of the Books Department and literary agent sponsor at PFD.
Tim Bates commented:
“It has been another outstanding year for the Prize. Selecting a shortlist from the many hundreds of entries has been a near-impossible task. Yet again, the shortlisted authors represent a diverse range of styles and genres, including a romantic comedy, two vivid historical novels, a ghost story and a couple of very contemporary thrillers. I’m sure that the Prize will, once more, help launch the careers of several hugely talented writers.”
College President, Dame Madeleine Atkins said,
“Many congratulations to our shortlisted authors for this outstanding success. We are delighted to help new authors on their journey to publication, and wish all 6 the very best for the next stage of the competition and beyond.”