First Novelist
Encyclopedia
The First Novelist Award is an American literary award
for debut novel
s. It has been presented annually since 2001 on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
's MFA
in Creative Writing Program. Nominations are solicited from MFA programs nationwide as well as from publishers, editors, agents, and writers. The prize includes $5000 cash and participation in a three-day festival at VCU that focuses on the creation, publication, and promotion processes involved with a first novel. The award is more formally known as the "Virginia Commonwealth University Cabell First Novelist Award".
. In addition, Richmond writer and VCU alumnus David Baldacci
funded and supported the fledgling Award in its early years. The First Novelist Award is presented on behalf of VCU's MFA in Creative Writing Program. Sponsors include the VCU Department of English, James Branch Cabell Library Associates, Friends of the Library, the VCU Libraries, the VCU Honors College, Barnes & Noble
at the VCU Bookstore, and the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences.
Created to recognize a rising new talent in the literary world who has successfully published a first novel, nominations are solicited from MFA programs nationwide as well as from publishers, editors, agents, and writers. A panel of readers narrows the field to the four or five most promising new works of fiction, and from that short list, three prominent judges choose the recipient of the First Novelist Award.
The award is presented at the First Novelist Festival. During this three-day festival, VCU brings together the newly published author and his or her agent and editor for a series of events that focus on the creation, publication, and promotion processes involved with a first novel. The itinerary includes a luncheon, a visit with a graduate fiction workshop, a public reading followed by a Q&A session, and other events that draw together MFA and undergraduate writers, the VCU and Richmond literary communities, and the general public. Travel expenses to Richmond and lodging accommodations for the author, agent, and editor are provided, as well as a $5000 cash prize for the author.
Literary award
A literary award is an award presented to an author who has written a particularly lauded piece or body of work. There are awards for forms of writing ranging from poetry to novels. Many awards are also dedicated to a certain genre of fiction or non-fiction writing . There are also awards...
for debut novel
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
s. It has been presented annually since 2001 on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
's MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in Creative Writing Program. Nominations are solicited from MFA programs nationwide as well as from publishers, editors, agents, and writers. The prize includes $5000 cash and participation in a three-day festival at VCU that focuses on the creation, publication, and promotion processes involved with a first novel. The award is more formally known as the "Virginia Commonwealth University Cabell First Novelist Award".
History
The First Novelist Award was created in 2001 by playwright Laura Browder and novelist Tom De HavenTom De Haven
Tom De Haven is an American author, editor, journalist, and writing teacher.His recurring subjects include literary and film noir, the Hollywood studio system and the American comics industry...
. In addition, Richmond writer and VCU alumnus David Baldacci
David Baldacci
David Baldacci is a bestselling American novelist.-Biography:Baldacci received a B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. As a student, Baldacci wrote short stories in his spare time, and later practiced law for nine years near Washington, D.C....
funded and supported the fledgling Award in its early years. The First Novelist Award is presented on behalf of VCU's MFA in Creative Writing Program. Sponsors include the VCU Department of English, James Branch Cabell Library Associates, Friends of the Library, the VCU Libraries, the VCU Honors College, Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
at the VCU Bookstore, and the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences.
Created to recognize a rising new talent in the literary world who has successfully published a first novel, nominations are solicited from MFA programs nationwide as well as from publishers, editors, agents, and writers. A panel of readers narrows the field to the four or five most promising new works of fiction, and from that short list, three prominent judges choose the recipient of the First Novelist Award.
The award is presented at the First Novelist Festival. During this three-day festival, VCU brings together the newly published author and his or her agent and editor for a series of events that focus on the creation, publication, and promotion processes involved with a first novel. The itinerary includes a luncheon, a visit with a graduate fiction workshop, a public reading followed by a Q&A session, and other events that draw together MFA and undergraduate writers, the VCU and Richmond literary communities, and the general public. Travel expenses to Richmond and lodging accommodations for the author, agent, and editor are provided, as well as a $5000 cash prize for the author.
Previous winners
- 2010: Victor Lodato, Mathilda Savitch
- 2009: Deb Olin UnferthDeb Olin UnferthDeb Olin Unferth is an American short-story writer, novelist, and memoirist. She is the author of the collection of stories Minor Robberies, the novel Vacation, both published by McSweeney's, and the memoir, Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the War, published by Henry Holt.Her...
, Vacation - 2008: Travis HollandTravis HollandTravis Holland is an American writer. His work has appeared in Ploughshares, Glimmer Train and Five Points, and his debut novel The Archivist’s Story was nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. He holds an MFA from the University of Michigan where he twice received the Hopwood...
, The Archivist's Story - 2007: Peter OrnerPeter OrnerPeter Orner is an American writer of fiction. He is the author of the novels Love and Shame and Love and The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo and the short story collection Esther Stories...
, The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo - 2006: Karen Fisher, A Sudden Country
- 2005: Lorraine AdamsLorraine AdamsLorraine Adams is an American journalist, and novelist.She was a staff writer for the Washington Post, and the Dallas Morning News.She lives in Washington, D.C.-Awards:* 2010 Guggenheim Fellowship* 2006 VCU First Novelist Award...
, Harbor - 2004: Michael ByersMichael ByersMichael Byers is an American writer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a graduate of Oberlin College and of the University of Michigan Creative Writing MFA Program. His first book, The Coast of Good Intentions, is a collection of short stories set in his native Pacific Northwest...
, Long for This World - 2003: Isabel Zuber, SaltSalt (novel)Salt is a novel by British science fiction author Adam Roberts.-Plot introduction:Colonists from Earth set out for a distant planet, but during the voyage, a factional skirmish turns into an irrevocable grudge, to play out during the course of their colonisation...
- 2002: Maribeth Fischer, The Language of Good-bye