First Novel Prize 2020 Winners

First Prize and £1000 is awarded to Sophia Danes-Gharbaoui for Crakemere Hall
Sophia Danes-Gharbaoui
'When I entered the First Novel Prize, I was testing my writing before I started submitting to agents, hoping that my name would feature beside the talented new writers in the shortlist. To have not only won first place, but to have been taken on by one of the judges, the wonderful Eve White, who is now my literary agent, is far beyond what I could have hoped for when I took the plunge and pressed ‘submit’ three months ago. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. It really does feel like I’ve won the lottery! A huge thank you to Lorena Goldsmith, Eve White, Chris White and to everyone involved in The First Novel Prize 2020 for this fantastic opportunity.' 
Sophia Danes-Gharbaoui

Eleanor’s inspiring story of stoicism and desire will stay with me forever. This novel works as a clever revision of Jane Eyre, but its changes are radical enough for it to stand alone too. I have never seen the Victorian style emulated so beautifully and so faithfully in a contemporary novel.

Eve White, Literary Agent at Eve White Literary Agency, Prize Co-judge and Sophia’s new agent

A polished, original and satisfyingly measured take on the historical novel. This novel, like its author, is bursting with potential.

Chris White, Senior Commissioning Editor at Scribner/Simon & Schuster UK and Prize Co-judge
Second Prize and £250 is awarded to Sharma Taylor for Son-Son’s Birthday
When I entered The First Novel Prize, the thought never entered my mind that I would actually win a prize. I only entered in hopes that I could possibly get some feedback on my manuscript. I had been plagued by the usual anxieties and doubts while writing the novel: “Is what I’m writing any good?” and “Will anyone want to read it?” What this award means to me is that what I’ve written has the potential to become a compelling novel. I feel encouraged to keep going and not give up on getting the book out into the world. I am eternally grateful to Lorena Goldsmith, the entire Daniel Goldsmith Associates team, judges Eve White and Chris White who believed in my work and felt like advocates for my book. I received extremely valuable feedback on the manuscript from the judges. This outcome was more than I could have ever imagined!
Sharma Taylor

A virtuoso command of voice and a stunningly atmospheric depiction of 1980s Jamaica combine to make this an exceptionally compelling and exciting first novel.

Chris White, Senior Commissioning Editor at Scribner/Simon & Schuster UK and Prize Co-judge

This novel has such heart; I loved its exploration of the trauma of giving up a child, its polyphonic descriptions of Kingston, and the tricky moral positions it puts its characters in. The Jamaican vernacular voices stand out as a dazzling show of style and control.

Eve White, Literary Agent at Eve White Literary Agency and Prize Co-judge
Third Prize and £100 is awarded to Weizi Zhang for Wintergreen Hill
I'm truly honored to be chosen as one of the winners. Writing can be a lonely business, and I'm immensely grateful for the recognition and encouragement from the two judges. I hope they enjoyed the characters as much as I enjoyed creating them.
Weizi Zhang

This is a tender and fluent piece of historical fiction; full of confident, exquisite detail. It shines a light on a time and place that is underexplored in English-language literature, deftly balancing romantic, societal, and political conflicts throughout its two halves.

Eve White, Literary Agent at Eve White Literary Agency and Prize Co-judge

Nineteen-twenties Wuhan came alive for me in this compelling and cleverly constructed novel.

Chris White, Senior Commissioning Editor at Scribner/Simon & Schuster UK and Prize Co-judge

Both the organisers and the judges would like to congratulate the three winners and thank all the talented and hard-working new novelists who entered the 2020 edition of the Prize. We look forward to next year with entries opening in February 2021.