$35,000 Republic of Consciousness Prize Announces Longlist of Independent Presses in United States and Canada
10 Fiction Books from Small, Independent Presses Acknowledged for Literary Merit
The second annual Republic of Consciousness Prize, United States and Canada, has announced their longlist of 10 fiction titles from independent presses for the 2023 Prize, designed to celebrate the commitment of small presses to exceptional literary merit. Chosen from dozens of submissions, the longlist includes a range of novels and short story collections, including those written in English or another language.
The ten longlist titles are:
Cross Stitch, by Jazmina Barrera, translated by Christina MacSweeney (Two Lines Press)
The Long Form, by Kate Briggs (Dorothy)
Two Sherpas, by Sebastián Martínez Daniell, translated by Jennifer Croft (Charco Press)
Breaking and Entering, by Don Gillmor (Biblioasis)
Your Love is Not Good, by Johanna Hedva (And Other Stories)
Landscapes, by Christine Lai (Two Dollar Radio)
The Birthday Party, by Laurent Mauvignier, translated by Daniel Levin Becker (Transit Books)
Lojman, by Ebru Ojen, translated by Aron Aji and Selin Gökcesu (City Lights)
The Box, by Mandy-Suzanne Wong (Graywolf Press)
The Sorrows of Others, by Ada Zhang (A Public Space)
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. The five shortlisted books will be rewarded an additional $3,000 each, split equally between the publisher and author, or publisher, author and translator where applicable.
A Zoom party celebrating the longlist, with publishers, authors and translators, will take place on Tuesday, February 27 at 6pm CT. Members of the public are encouraged to join for free by registering here. The shortlist of five books will be announced on Tuesday, March 5 and the winner announced on Tuesday, March 19.
Founder of the Republic of Consciousness US & Canada Prize and Jury Chair, Lori Feathers, said: “In this, our second year honoring small publishers in the United States and Canada, we are excited to once again celebrate the accomplishments of independent presses. These longlisted titles highlight the indispensable role of small publishers in bringing books to print that expand the idea of great literature, privileging exceptional writing over commercial sales. Their work demonstrates courage and a commitment to ensuring that fiction of the highest quality and imagination finds its readers.”
The longlist was selected by a jury of independent booksellers and small press enthusiasts: James Crossley (Leviathan, St. Louis), Lori Feathers, Chair (Interabang Books, Dallas), Zoe Grams (Upstart & Crow, Vancouver), Amanda Qassar (Warwick’s, La Jolla) and Paul Wilson (literary podcaster, Colorado).
“It was an honor and a pleasure to sit on this year's US Republic of Consciousness Prize jury. I'd anticipated some excellent reading, but the quality and range of submissions was higher and broader than I could have imagined. I discovered books with challenging content, formal daring, and good old-fashioned storytelling chops--almost every literary taste was represented. The number of superb translations was a particular highlight; our small presses should take pride in the outsized part they play in drawing the world closer.” — James Crossley
“Stories that change our perceptions of desire, of motherhood, of community, of art, of trauma, of colonialism, of loss: this longlist represents the depth and creativity of literary fiction and the hugely dedicated teams behind small presses who share it. With the increasing homogenization of culture, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the important stories that small presses share—or the style and beauty with which they do so.” — Zoe Grams
“What an honor to have my doors of reading perception dilated by this provocative assemblage of extraordinary books. Every publisher on this longlist deserves mad accolades for taking a chance on risky writing—lifting up unconventional, but utterly essential, perspectives on the messy business of existence. This is truly affecting literature: surprising, galvanic, and often unsettling work that takes no prisoners in holding up a crystalline mirror to the human condition. I am in awe of the intrepid mettle of these small presses.” — Amanda Qassar
“It has been exciting and encouraging to discover some of the fascinating and important books currently being produced by small publishers. This longlist encompasses a wide range of styles, subjects, and voices, and is a snapshot of the important and exciting work that is being done, often under the radar. To anyone out there who feels discouraged about the state of publishing, I encourage you to spend some time with these authors and their books - you won't regret it!” — Paul Wilson
About the Republic of Consciousness Prize The Republic of Consciousness Prize in the 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