The shortlists for this year’s Polari Book Prizes have been announced. The UK’s only awards dedicated to celebrating literature that explores the LGBTQ+ experience, there are three award categories: the Polari First Book Prize, the Polari Book Prize and and the Polari Children’s and YA Prize.

Commenting on this year’s shortlists, 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.”

Congratulations to all the authors and illustrators!

Polari Children’s and YA Prize 2024 – Shortlist

Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn (Andersen Press)

Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning, illustrated by Stef Murphy (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

The Fights That Make Us by Sarah Hagger-Holt (Usborne Publishing Ltd)

Gwen and Art are NOT in Love by Lex Croucher (Bloomsbury YA)

Away with Words by Sophie Cameron (Little Tiger)

 

Polari First Book Prize 2024 – Shortlist

Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson (John Murray)

Local Fires by Joshua Jones (Parthian Books)

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth (Verve Books)

Bellies by Nicola Dinan (Penguin)

Greekling by Kostya Tsolakis (Nine Arches Press)

 

Polari Book Prize 2024 – Shortlist

Killing Jericho by William Hussey (Zaffre)

The Gallopers by Jon Ransom (Muswell Press)

The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants by Orlando Ortega-Medina (Cloud Lodge Books)

Forty Lies by David Shenton (Knockabout Comics)

Blue Hunger by Viola Di Grado, translated by Jamie Richards (Scribe)

Hard Drive by Paul Stephenson (Carcanet Poetry)

The winners of all three Polari Book Prizes 2024 will be announced at a ceremony at The British Library on 29th November.