Many, many entries this cycle, well beyond what we had anticipated, and the standard of the writing has made winnowing the longlist unusually difficult. Thank you to everyone who trusted us with their opening pages. The quality was so high that the commended list is longer than in previous cycles. We are releasing the names in no particular order, over the coming days, and a shortlist will be drawn from this group. Today, in no particular order, we are announcing: - Lies on Sale by Gabby Martini - The Impossibility of Eden by Harry Wilson - Beach Dog by Tom McDonough - The Breaking Point by Fiona Harriet - The Taste of Iron by Ramona Slusarczyk - Askar and the Witch by Nina van der Beek - The City of a Thousand Eyes by Angelique Talbot - The Melusine Murders by Jesse Weiner Congratulations to all of them. Many further entries, equally commended, will be announced over the coming days. If your name is not yet here, please don't read into its absence. Names are being released in the order we can write the posts, which has nothing to do with preference, and every remaining commendation carries the same weight as those above.

The first part of the list will be published here tomorrow!

A little celebration that I hope doesn’t break any rules… my novel, Perotine, was one of the top ten shortlisted in last year’s competition. It was subsequently picked up by a small publisher, and launches on Tuesday. This weekend, I’ve travelled from Jersey (home) to Gloucester to give two talks and then in the coming weeks I’ve got two appearances at home, plus a trip to the Guernsey Literary festival to discuss the book. In May, I’m also making several appearances in Wales. Exciting and very busy times! 📚 I’ve also dropped my Marlowe and C placement in several times in my promo. 😄 Good luck to everyone, this year!

Anyone else taking part today, over on Bluesky and X?

Further News April/early May.