Debut Fiction Prize Shortlist Revealed

The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026 has announced its shortlist, highlighting six promising debut novels. Among the contenders is Jiyoung Han's "Honey In The Wound," a novel praised for its raw and visceral portrayal of nearly a century of Korean history and the profound effects of colonialism. This narrative traces a family's transformation as they navigate displacement and brutality over 90 years.

Another shortlisted work, Stephanie Sy-Quia's "A Private Man," is described as atmospherically striking and beautifully told. It delves into a forbidden romance between a priest and a woman in 1950s Rome, exploring its generational repercussions. The other novels on the list are "Lost Lambs" by Madeline Cash, "Under Water" by Tara Menon, "May We Feed The King" by Rebecca Perry, and "The Infamous Gilberts" by Angela Tomaski.

This prestigious award seeks to foster new literary talent and help build enduring careers for debut authors. The winner, selected by a panel of Waterstones staff, will be revealed on July 16. Bea Carvalho, Waterstones' head of books, expressed enthusiasm for the selection, noting its representation of "tremendous energy, poetic precision, and spry humour."