A shortlist has been released for the 2024 Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, which recognizes "exceptional first novels" and is voted for by the company's booksellers. The winner will be named July 25. This year's shortlisted titles are:
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson
Mongrel by Hanako Footman
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
Bea Carvalho, Waterstones head of books, said: "In an astonishingly strong year for fiction, which sees the return of so many beloved world-renowned novelists, it is especially pleasing to see such an exciting array of emerging voices: they are the literary stars of tomorrow. The shortlisted authors stood out for their assured, confident storytelling and the unique perspectives they bring to their subjects, tackling weighty themes with sensitivity and panache."