Today, the PEN/Faulkner Foundation announced the five finalists for the 2026 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. The judging panel, which this year was comprised of Samantha Hunt, Tania James, and De’Shawn Charles Winslow, selected these finalists from a list of 387 eligible novels and short story collections published by American authors in 2025.

“The five vital, brilliant books on our shortlist draw us into humanity’s complex core of beauty, violence, joy, intelligence, and imagination,” the jury said in a prepared statement. “Families spin; nature embraces life; connections whisper or shout; hearts break then grow while human truths emerge. These books—outstretched hands—verify that the small can consistently counter mighty power structures endangering our earth and that art always stands resilient, emancipating, and essential.”

This year’s finalists are:

Addie E. Citchens, Dominion (FSG)

Quiara Alegría Hudes, The White Hot (One World)

Jonas Hassen Khemiri, The Sisters (FSG)

Lily King, Heart the Lover (Grove Press)

Mahreen Sohail, Small Scale Sinners (A Public Space)

*

The winner, announced in April, will receive $15,000, and the remaining four finalists will each receive $5,000.

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Pace-O-Matic (“POM”), the defendants in the case were found, alongside Miele Manufacturing, to be negligent parties in a case that dated back to 2020, where the fatal shooting of clerk, Ashokkumar Patel occurred.

POM have not accepted the financial award, saying they were unhappy with the “$15 million Philadelphia verdict, Pace-O-Matic and our manufacturing partner, Miele Manufacturing, were assigned three million in damages. We will appeal and win.”

Estate of fatally shot clerk awarded $15.3 million in case involving Pace-O-Matic and Miele

POM, the developer of Pennsylvania Skill games, released a statement following the decision to award the financial sum. Mr Patel, a father of three, had been in post for less than a week before the incident.

“The death of Ashokkumar Patel is tragic and a terrible loss for his family. We commend the Hazleton Police Department and the Luzerne County District Attorney for apprehending the man who murdered Mr. Patel and making certain he will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

The man, Jafet Rodriguez, was found guilty of the death of Patel in an incident where the accused fled the scene with $14,000. Rodriguez shot Mr Patel, but the clerk managed to crawl to the telephone before sadly passing before he could speak to the operator.

Hazleton Detective Ryan Mariano questioned Rodriguez after his apprehension, learning that he had lost and won thousands of dollars before the incident. At the time of his apprehension, his cell phone was tracked to the store location, then to a car wash he owned.

Officers recovered items, including a mask and a sweatshirt matching the description, and footage recorded on CCTV, which contained a mixture of Mr Patel’s and Rodriguez’s DNA.

Pace-O-Matic calls verdict ‘an unfortunate outcome’

Interestingly, Pace-O-Matic argued the total financial award of $15.3 million to the Patel estate, saying, “this case set a dangerous precedent by establishing responsibility and liability for criminal activity with businesses that offer any product, service, or software license at a location where a crime has occurred – even when there is little to no connection to the crime.”

“Even though minimal responsibility was ascribed to Pace-O-Matic, it is an unfortunate outcome that we believe is without sufficient legal or factual precedent. We are planning to appeal the decision and anticipate a favorable outcome,” the statement continued.

The gambling company also stated that the machines at the location were not accessible and argued that other manufacturers should have been held responsible as well, given the decision.

“Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill had only a couple of games on location, which were inoperable and unavailable for play. Other games were on location and available for play. Those manufacturers were not held liable for the crime. The verdict in this case means that every company or individual who is even tangentially involved in the creation of a product is liable for any crime committed where that product is offered to customers.”

The legal defendants of the Patel estate, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, represented the case against POM. The law firm placed the blame on the gaming operator, saying POM was “entirely focused on increasing its bottom line rather than protecting vulnerable, low-wage workers who had to make large payouts without any security measures to protect them from foreseeable risks.”

Michael Barley, POM’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, was vocal about the company’s stance in the Patel murder case: “The casino industry partnered with an ambulance-chasing Philadelphia law firm to create a PR story off the back of this poor store clerk’s family. The reality is that this verdict will be overturned.”

Featured image: Courtesy of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendeski

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Today, the American Library in Paris announced the winner of their 2025 Book Award, which “celebrates outstanding works of literature that draw on France as a timeless source of inspiration.” The winning title, chosen from a shortlist revealed in September, is Sue Prideaux’s Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin.

The jury, which was composed of Claire Messud, Ruth Reichl, and last year’s laureate Adam Shatz, had this to say:

Sue Prideaux’s vibrant and rich biography of Gauguin is an extraordinary achievement: rigorously researched; magisterial in its command of the subject; at once an engrossing narrative and a reappraisal of an artist whom, it turns out, we knew far less well than we imagined. To read Prideaux’s biography is to vicariously experience the life of Gauguin, the many worlds he inhabited, from his early childhood in Peru to his last years in Tahiti, and, not least, the adventure of his art. Prideaux portrays Gauguin in all his moral complexity, refusing to judge him, and thus never allowing us to do so either. Most importantly, she powerfully illuminates his painting, and the struggles that brought it into being, in elegant, often strikingly sensuous prose.

The jury also made a “special mention” of Francesca Wade’s Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife, “an ingenious and incisive work of intellectual history, written with unusual flair and brio.”

Wild Thing will be hand-bound in a special, custom edition of two: one will be preserved in the Library’s Special Collection, while the other will be presented to Prideaux, who will also receive a cash prize of $5,000.

The post » Here’s the winner of the 2025 American Library in Paris Book Award. appeared first on Our Story Insight.

Kendra Winchester is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot where she writes about audiobooks and disability literature. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.

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Literary award season is in full swing, and there are dozens of books receiving honors and awards. Our TBRs will never be the same! Today, we’re looking at some must-read nonfiction award winners and a list of top-tier finalists all competing for one of America’s most prestigious awards. So let’s jump right in!

On October 8th, the three winners of the 2025 Kirkus Prize were announced. (The event was also livestreamed on Kirkus’ YouTube channel.) In fiction, Lucas Schaefer won for The Slip. For young people’s literature, Thao Lam won for Everybelly. And for nonfiction, journalist Scott Anderson won for King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation, which takes an in-depth look at the 1979 revolution in Iran and details its long-lasting impacts.

The judges stated, “It’s a masterful and propulsive account that chronicles a devastatingly transformative series of events whose aftereffects reverberate to this day.” Each of the winners receives $50,000, making the Kirkus award quite the prize.

The National Book Finalists are finally here! As an avid nonfiction reader, I always keep an eye out for many true stories on the finalist list, which includes:

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Nonfiction is always a tough category. Deeply researched projects go head-to-head with memoirs and personal essays, and they often outnumber the more personal works. This year, the finalists include a range of genres, from Yiyun Li’s memoir to Julia Ioffe’s feminist history of Russia. The winner will be announced during the ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 8 p.m. EST.

The Lambda Literary Awards have a host of different categories, including Bisexual Nonfiction, Trans Nonfiction, and LGBTQ+ Nonfiction, Lesbian Memoir/Biography, and Gay Memoir/Biography. This year, the winners include:

The post A Round-Up of This Season’s Award Winning and Nominated Nonfiction appeared first on Our Story Insight.

September 22, 2025, 3:22pm

Today, on his 65th birthday, poet and memoirist Kenny Fries has announced the inaugural winner of a new annual award, the Kenny Fries Disabled Writer Literary Award, which “seeks to provide visibility to the next generation of disabled and/or Deaf writers.”

“As a ‘pioneer’ of Disability Literature, as I age I’ve become increasingly concerned about the legacy of Disability Arts,” Fries said in a statement. “Historically, disabled writers have been marginalized and denied access to professional education and training, and the lack of disabled mentors has caused the link between generations of disabled writers to be too often lost. My hope is this annual award will assist a disabled writer of a younger generation to become more widely known both in the Disability Arts community as well as in the arts world at large.”

The 2025 winner is Cyrée Jarelle Johnson, “a poet, rootworker, diviner, and clinical herbalist from Piscataway, New Jersey. He is the author of several books, chapbooks, and zines including WATCHNIGHT and SLINGSHOT. He runs balm in gilead herb shop in Kingston, NY.”

“I chose Cyrée Jarelle Johnson as the inaugural award recipient because his poems explode the boundaries of language, subject, and form,” said Fries. “His poems give us the opportunity to encounter those we usually do not meet in the pages of our poetry. He gives space to a wide array of people, places, and politics.”

“In a world where disabled writers are more likely to be written about by caretakers than published themselves,” said Johnson, “I’m grateful to be the first recipient of the Kenny Fries Award so I can continue to commit to my work.”

Johnson will be awarded $1,000.

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September 12, 2025, 11:00am

Today, the National Book Foundation announced the longlist for the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction. Then ten titles were selected from a pool of 434 books submitted for consideration by their publishers. This year’s judges for Fiction are Rumaan Alam (Chair), Debra Magpie Earling, Attica Locke, Elizabeth McCracken, and Cody Morrison.

The finalists in all categories will be announced on Tuesday, October 7, and the winners revealed at the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony on November 19.

In the meantime, here’s the longlist:

Rabih Alameddine, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
Grove Press / Grove Atlantic

Susan Choi, Flashlight
Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers

Angela Flournoy, The Wilderness
Mariner Books / HarperCollins Publishers

Jonas Hassen Khemiri, The Sisters
Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers

Megha Majumdar, A Guardian and a Thief
Knopf / Penguin Random House

Kevin Moffett, Only Son
McSweeney’s

Karen Russell, The Antidote
Knopf / Penguin Random House

Ethan Rutherford, North Sun: Or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther
A Strange Object / Deep Vellum Publishing

Bryan Washington, Palaver
Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers

Joy Williams, The Pelican Child
Knopf / Penguin Random House

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Book Riot Editorial is made up of passionate readers, writers, and book lovers dedicated to delivering insightful book recommendations, literary analysis, and the latest in book culture. With expertise spanning multiple genres and a deep understanding of the publishing industry, we offer thoughtful commentary, book deals, and news that matters to readers. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems, analyzing literary trends, or championing diverse voices, Book Riot’s editorial team is here to keep you informed and inspired.

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Awards season is upon us, and all week long, the National Book Award judges will be releasing their 2025 longlists across five categories. These are among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon books in a given year. The National Book Award began in 1936 by the American Booksellers Association, took a break during World War II, and then resumed under the leadership of several collaborating book industry organizations in 1950. A few decades later, the National Book Foundation took over, with the goal of ensuring these books are not only honored but that their impact is felt across the country in a real, meaningful way.

The National Book Award honor books written by U.S. authors for books published in the United States. The five categories include Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Starting in 2013, the Foundation elected to present a longlist in each category, composed of ten titles and released in September. Those longlists are whittled down to a shortlist and shared in October, as a run-up to the awards, which are presented in November at the National Book Award Ceremony and Dinner. Finalists each take home $1,000, while the winner in each category received $10,000 and a bronze sculpture.

This morning, the National Book Award presented their Longlist for Fiction. Eight of the honorees this year have earned such recognition before, and the range of fiction includes two debut authors and one short story collection.

The ten longlist titles for the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction are:

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Judges for Fiction include Chair Rumaan Alam, Debra Magpie Earling, Attica Locke, Elizabeth McCracken, and Cody Morrison.

More information about the National Book Award Longlist for Fiction is available on their website. You can check out the rest of the Award Longlists for Young People’s Literature, Translated Literature, Nonfiction, and Poetry.

Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.

The post The 2025 National Book Award Longlist for Fiction appeared first on Our Story Insight.

Book Riot Editorial is made up of passionate readers, writers, and book lovers dedicated to delivering insightful book recommendations, literary analysis, and the latest in book culture. With expertise spanning multiple genres and a deep understanding of the publishing industry, we offer thoughtful commentary, book deals, and news that matters to readers. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems, analyzing literary trends, or championing diverse voices, Book Riot’s editorial team is here to keep you informed and inspired.

View All posts by Community

Awards season is upon us, and all week long, the National Book Award judges will be releasing their 2025 longlists across five categories. These are among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon books in a given year. The National Book Award began in 1936 by the American Booksellers Association, took a break during World War II, and then resumed under the leadership of several collaborating book industry organizations in 1950. A few decades later, the National Book Foundation took over, with the goal of ensuring these books are not only honored but that their impact is felt across the country in a real, meaningful way.

The National Book Award honor books written by U.S. authors for books published in the United States. The five categories include Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Starting in 2013, the Foundation elected to present a longlist in each category, composed of ten titles and released in September. Those longlists are whittled down to a shortlist and shared in October, as a run-up to the awards, which are presented in November at the National Book Award Ceremony and Dinner. Finalists each take home $1,000, while the winner in each category received $10,000 and a bronze sculpture.

This morning, the National Book Award presented their Longlist for Nonfiction. It is a slate of fresh voices and perspectives, as none of the 10 authors have had their work honored before.

The ten longlist titles for the 2025 National Book Award for Nonfiction are:

Today In Books

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Judges for nonfiction include a slate of well-decorated writers and critics, including Heather Kathleen Moody Hall, Tiya Miles, Raj Patel, Cristina Rivera Garza, and Eli Saslow.

More information about the National Book Award Longlist for Nonfiction is available on their website. Keep your eyes peeled for the rest of the longlists this week, and don’t miss the already-shared lists for Young People’s Literature, Translated Literature, and Poetry.

Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.

The post The 2025 National Book Award Longlist for Nonfiction appeared first on Our Story Insight.

September 3, 2025, 2:50pm

Okay, so ostensibly the reason we’re all here to talk about author James Patterson’s new initiative to help emerging authors finish their books with grants of $50,000 called “Go Finish Your Book!”, but I’d like to use this space to make a more specific appeal:

Mr. Patterson, please consider me for this program.

I know today’s announcement, made on the AP and on your personal website, is explicitly saying that the selection process is over, and that you’ve already selected a group of writers out of hundreds of submissions, but I know you love a good twist as much as any writer. Wouldn’t it be thrilling if there were a surprise 13th grant under your “Unreliable Narrator” hat, for a blogger with a big chunk of a novel done and who shares your gorgeous first name?!

James, I’m on the edge of my seat!

I also read that this program is in partnership with organizations like the Authors Guild, AWP, Girls Write Now, PEN America and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop—what a coincidence, I’ve covered a number of these groups right here at Lit Hub! Me and your grant are seeming like more and more of a natural fit the more that I think about it…

In a video released on his site, Patterson explained his thinking behind the project like this:

“There are so many incredible stories out there that never get written because life gets in the way”—I couldn’t agree more, fellow James!—“I wanted to give these writers a little time, a little space, and a push to say: your voice matters”—I’m blushing!— “Now go finish your book.” James, with your help, I will.

The statement ends with Patterson saying he’s picked 12 people and is excited to see how their projects turn out. Another thing we agree on: congrats to all the winners. I can’t wait to see the books that come out of this grant!

There’s nothing better than the space to write, and financial security is one of the surest ways (in America, at least) to get it. This is the kind of program I would love to see more successful authors emulate, especially when so many grants are drying up elsewhere.

Incidentally, James, if you hear of any of these other grant programs getting underway, I’d appreciate the consideration! I know you won’t forget my name.

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Book Riot Editorial is made up of passionate readers, writers, and book lovers dedicated to delivering insightful book recommendations, literary analysis, and the latest in book culture. With expertise spanning multiple genres and a deep understanding of the publishing industry, we offer thoughtful commentary, book deals, and news that matters to readers. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems, analyzing literary trends, or championing diverse voices, Book Riot’s editorial team is here to keep you informed and inspired.

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Looking for the best of the best when it comes to comics? Then you’ll want to read your way into this year’s 2025 Harvey Award nominees. These represent some of the best of the best in comics over the last year.

The Harvey Awards were founded in 1998 and named after writer and artist Harvey Kurtzman. Nominees are judged by a host of comics publishing professionals, including publishers, retailers, librarians, and educators. Anyone who has attended a ReedPop comic convention between 2016 and 2025 with a Professional or Artist Alley badge is eligible to vote in each category to select winners, which will be announced at New York City Comicon in the fall. Comics fans will be able to watch the announcements live or via livestream, and information about when and where will be shared soon.

Take a peep at a handful of the categories and nominees this year.

Book of the Year

The Stack

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Best Children’s Comic

Best Young Adult Comic

Best Manga

You can read the full list of nominees, as well as learn how to vote in the awards if you’re eligible, at the Harvey Awards website.

Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.

The post Meet The 2025 Harvey Award Nominees appeared first on Our Story Insight.