The shortlist for the 2024 Polari Prizes has been announced. The UK and Ireland’s only dedicated prize for LGBTQ+ literature has announced its 2024 shortlists for the Polari Book Prize, Polari First Book Prize and Polari Children’s & YA Prize. Independent publishers have dominated the shortlists, and poetry, literary fiction and a graphic novel featured across the two adult shortlists.

Tales of transition feature strongly on the Polari First Book Prize Shortlist, which includes Bellies, by Nicola Dinan and Transitional, the memoir from the model and activist Munroe Bergdorf. Also shortlisted are two coming-of-age tales set in small towns: Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth; and Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson, set in South Wales during the miners’ strike of which LoveReading reviewer Lily Lindon commented: "Imagine an X-rated version of the film Pride: Neon Roses gives us the strikes in 80s Britain from the viewpoint of a rebellious Welsh lesbian, to a banging 80s soundtrack."

Also set in South Wales is Local Fires by Joshua Jones, a series of interconnected tales that revolve around the misadventures of the inhabitants of Llanelli. Rounding off the shortlist is Greekling, the debut poetry collection by Kostya Tsolakis.

The Book Prize Shortlist features Killing Jericho which reviewer Liz Robinson called a "striking and addictive start to a new series, where disgraced former detective Scott Jericho meets a deadly foe." Chosen as a LoveReading Star Book Killing Jericho is a swaggeringly moody and pulsating read, it comes as highly recommended by us! And of course The Gallopers, which Lily Lindon described as "a claustrophobic story of doomed relationships, old secrets, and a cursed field, from an award-winning writer."

The YA and Children's List features Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn of which our reviewer Joanne Owen commented "this dazzling YA gem melds a thrilling high-stakes fairy tale scenario with suspenseful, slow-burn Sapphic romance" And Out of the Blue by Robert Trregoning was described by reviewer Andrea Reece: "This is a heart-warming, inspiring celebration of the importance of difference, of the life-enhancing power of making everyone welcome, as well as the vital importance of being who you really are."

Gwen and Art Are Not in Love is a big fave of the team here: we absolutely ARE all in love with this delightful medieval queer romcom. Lily Lindon commented: "Croucher writes with vivid exaggeration and touching relatability the wild adventures of love and lust, yearning and horniness. We all dutifully pledge allegiance."

The Polari First Book Prize 2024 Shortlist:

Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson 

Local Fires by Joshua Jones 

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth

Bellies by Nicola Dinan 

Greekling by Kostya Tsolakis 

Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition by Munroe Bergdorf 

The Polari Book Prize 2024 Shortlist:

Killing Jericho by William Hussey

The Gallopers by Jon Ransom 

The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants by Orlando Ortega-Medina 

Forty Lies by David Shenton 

Blue Hunger by Viola Di Grado, tr. Jamie Richards 

Hard Drive by Paul Stephenson 

The Polari Children’s and YA Prize 2024 Shortlist:

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning 

The Fights That Make Us by Sarah Hagger-Holt 

Gwen and Art are not in Love by Lex Croucher 

Away With Words by Sophie Cameron 

Polari Prizes founder Paul Burston said: “This year’s shortlists celebrate the diversity and richness of LGBTQ literary talent in the UK and Ireland today. These are books which explore sexuality, gender, history and politics with humour, passion and insight. They remind us of the power of queer storytelling at a time when some would see our books and stories banned. Read them with pride.”

Author Karen McLeod, Polari First Book Prize Judge, said: “The breadth of writing (and fresh breath) in the shortlisted titles makes me want to sing out loud. Intelligent, playful, and emotionally rich, I am wowed by the confidence and boldness in the writing.”

The Polari Prize winners’ ceremony take place at British Library on Friday, 29th November. For tickets, please follow this link.

For more recommendations, check out our 60+ Recommended Reads for Pride Month and Every Month.

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