The Townsend Prize Finalists

The finalists for the 2025 Prize:

Denene Millner, One Blood (Forge Books, 9.5.23) AA

Chika Unigwe, The Middle Daughter (Dzanc Books, 4.4.23) AA

Anissa Gray, Life and Other Love Songs (Berkley, Penguin, 4.11.23) black and gay

Julia Franks, The Say So (Hub City Press, 6.6.23) white

Ra’Niqua Lee, For What Ails You (ELJ Editions, 11.6.23) black

John M Williams, End Times (Sartoris Literary Group, 9.15.23)

Gordon Johnston, Seven Islands of the Ocmulgee: River Stories (Mercer UP, 2.7.23)

Kimberly Brock, The Fabled Earth (Harper Muse, 10.1.24)

Peter Selgin, A Boy’s Guide to Outer Space (Regal House Publishing, 11.12.24)

Barbara Tucker, Lying In (Colorful Crow Publishing, 5.15.24)

The placement of my name last convinces me I am the dark horse; I just made the cut. I am from the smallest press, have no New York Times Bestsellers, garnered only a handful of Amazon reviews and sales, and am essentially a nobody in literary circles. But, I did make the cut. Something put me in this group when the other nominees weren't. So, I go to the dinner and see someone else win, but I also know this writing gig is one for me and some folks who don't know me appreciated my book.

Comments

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