Mike McCormack’s Solar Bones has been longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, a new literary award dedicated to celebrating original literary fiction published by small independent presses. Congratulations Mike!
Novelist Neil Griffiths set up the Republic of Consciousness Prize this year to support ‘the love and risks of small presses’. He asked ‘What might reward their endeavour, help raise profiles, and make life just a little easier?
Whatever one thinks about awards in the arts, they do tend to attract attention, boost sales, and provide a little momentum – which is always a good thing. And even though the money won’t be Booker or Costa levels, any money is always welcome. And if the prize can include the independent bookshops – as judges and points of sale – then everyone wins.’
The longlist includes books by brilliant small presses like Galley Beggar, CB Editions, And Other Stories, Cassava Republic, Daunt Books, and more. It also includes Beautiful Pictures of a Lost Homeland by Mia Gallagher, published by our friends and neighbours at New Island, so huge congratulations to them too. The shortlist will be announced in January.
Read more about the longlist here.