2024 Shortlist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2025
$35,000 Republic of Consciousness Prize for Independent Presses in United States and Canada Announces Shortlist
Five Books from Small, Independent Presses Advance to the 2024 Shortlist
The third annual Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada, has announced its shortlist of 5 titles from independent presses for the 2024 Prize, celebrating the commitment of small presses to exceptional literary merit. The shortlist includes a range of novels written in English and other languages.
The five shortlisted titles are:
Like a Sky Inside by Jakuta Alikavazovic, translated by Daniel Levin Becker (Fern Books)
Melvill by Rodrigo Fresán, translated by Will Vanderhyden (Open Letter)
Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber (Coffee House Press)
The Case of Cem by Vera Mutafchieva, translated by Angela Rodel (Sandorf Passage)
Your Absence is Darkness by Jón Kalman Stefánsson, translated by Philip Roughton (Biblioasis)
A total of $35,000 USD will be distributed to the presses and the authors. Each press with a longlisted book will receive $2,000. Five shortlisted books will be rewarded an additional $3,000 each, split equally between publisher and author, or publisher, author, and translator where applicable.
The winner of the 2024 Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada will be announced on Wednesday, March 12.
A virtual party celebrating the longlist with publishers, authors,translators, and members of the public was held on February 19. You can view a recording of that event here:
The Republic of Consciousness Prize was founded in 2017 by award-winning novelist Neil Griffiths, who said at the time, “Small presses are a vital element in sustaining the biodiversity of literary culture. Without them, fiction of the highest literary merit, especially experimental and innovative writing, would struggle to find a home, and by extension readers’ choice would be impoverished.”
Originally restricted to books published in the UK, the Prize’s remit was expanded in 2022 by Lori Feathers, who launched a separate award for the US and Canada. About this year’s shortlist, she says: “After enthusiastic debate and discussion our Prize jury made the difficult decision to advance these five remarkable books from our longlist. We celebrate the small presses, languages, and perspectives that this shortlist represents.”
A jury of independent booksellers and small press enthusiasts selected the 2024 Prize finalists:
Luis Alberto Correa (White Whale Bookstore, Pittsburgh), James Crossley (Leviathan Bookstore, St. Louis), Lori Feathers, Chair (Interabang Books, Dallas), Rebekah Rine (Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita), Dorian Stuber (Hendrix College, Little Rock), and Chris Via (Leaf by Leaf lit vlog, North Carolina).
About the Republic of Consciousness Prize
The Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada, was founded in 2022 and is run by volunteers. All prize monies to authors and publishers are funded by donations from members of the public. Donations can be made to the prize here.
For further information, or for an interview about the Prize, contact:
Lori Feathers, lori@interabangbooks.com
www.republicofconsciousnessprize-usa.com
Donate at: https://www.republicofconsciousnessprize-usa.com/donate
@usrofc.bsky.social