Republic of Consciousness Prize, US & Canada Announces Its 2025 Shortlist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2026
5 Books from Small, Independent Presses Advance to the 2025 Shortlist
The Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada, has announced its fourth annual shortlist of 5 titles from independent presses, celebrating the commitment of small presses to exceptional works of literary merit.
The 5 shortlisted titles for 2025 are:
Dreaming of Dead People, by Rosalind Belben (And Other Stories)
Little Lazarus, by Michael Bible (CLASH Books)
The Remembered Soldier, by Anjet Daanje, translated by David McKay (New Vessel Press)
The Endless Week, by Laura Vazquez, translated by Alex Niemi (Dorothy, a publishing project)
Hothouse Bloom, by Austyn Wohlers (Hub City Press)
The Prize will distribute a total of $35,000 USD to 2025 finalists as follows: each press with a longlisted book will receive $2,000; the 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 2025 Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada, will be announced on Tuesday, March 10.
A virtual party celebrating the longlist, with publishers, authors, and translators, was held on Wednesday, February 18. You can review a recording of that event here. Titles of our 2025 finalists can be purchased here through Bookshop.org in support of your favorite independent bookstore.
The Republic of Consciousness Prize for the UK and the Republic of Ireland was founded in 2017 by award-winning novelist Neil Griffiths. It has since been renamed the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize. The Prize’s remit was expanded in 2022 by Griffiths and bookstore owner and writer, Lori Feathers, who launched a separate award for presses in the US and Canada.
Alongside Feathers, four other independent booksellers and small press enthusiasts formed the jury that selected this year’s shortlist, including Ryan Farrell (VOLLMANNIA, Washington, D.C.), Sarah Kalsbeek (Eyes on Indie, Chicago, Illinois), Ian McCord (Rec Room Books, Athens, Georgia), and Spencer Ruchti (Third Place Books, Seattle, Washington).
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