The short list for Britain’s Inaugural Polari First Book Prize has been announced at the London Literary Festival. The prize aims to promote debut publications that explore the queer experience. Poetry, Prose, Fiction and Non-Fiction works are all eligible for the award and they may be either print based or digitally distributed.
The winner will be announced at the end of September. The short list is:
Julian Corkle Is A Filthy Liar – DJ Connell
New Zealand author DJ Connell’s first book is about a queer boys journey through adolescence in Tasmania in 1970’s. The film rights have already been sold to film producers Sarah Radclyffe and Marian Macgowan whose previous film work included My Beautiful Launderette, Death Defying Acts and Two Hands.
Same Again Please – Michael B Jones
Michael B Jones is an English author who penned this romantic comedy that weaves it way through offices and nightlife. Jones wrote his first book after spending 10 years working in Germany in a variety of different jobs.
London Triptych – Jonathan Kemp
Simultaneously tells the story of a rent boy in the 1890’s, a gay man awaiting release from prison in the 1990’s and in the 1950’s an artist begins discovering his sexuality while preparing to paint a major work. This book already won Author’s Club First Book Award and has been shortlisted for the Green Carnation prize. Kemp is a London based playwright and DJ.
The Bird Keeper – Issy Festing
In Issy Festing’s first novel, a wealthy businessman turns his back on his family responsibilities to work at a bird sanctuary where he meets a British traveler. Set in India in the 1980’s against a backdrop of political upheaval this book has been praised for its intriguing characters. The Bengali born author lives in London.
Love, Hope and High Heels – Clare Campbell
This collection of poems comes from Clare Campbell a Liverpool based arts therapy worker who professionally works with people who have experienced sexual abuse.
I Don’t Remember You – Stephanie Lennox
Stephanie Lennox created this tale of a boyish sporty girl who is recovering from a car accident and on a quest to recover her forgotten memories. Nineteen year old Lennox lives in London and writes stories, plays and poems.
Children of the Sun – Max Schaefer
One of the most reviewed books on the list, Schaefer’s debut novel tells the story of a TV researcher who infiltrates a Neo-Nazi organisation in 2003 and simultaneously the tale of a closeted tattooed thug who became seduced by the group the group when he was fourteen, set during the Thatcher years.
Autofellatio – James Maker
This is a frank memoir with an unforgettable title is from the former lead singer of 80’s indie band Raymonde. Maker is also a long term friend of Smith’s singer Morrissey.
Homo Jihad – Timothy Graves
In Homo Jihad Daniel, a hopeless romantic who spends his time on London’s drug filled club scene, meets an Israeli man Yossi and they begin a long distance romance. Graves is a British author.
C’est La Vie – Bruce Hodson
A collection of short stories about a gay couple, Nigel and Adam, who run a legal practice in England,.
Graeme Watson
