The Polari Prize was established last year to honor outstanding literature that delves into the LGBTQ+ experience by authors from the UK and Ireland. Three awards will be presented during a ceremony at the British Library in London on November 29: the Polari Book Prize; the Polari First Book Prize, dedicated to debut works; and the Polari Children’s and YA Prize.
Ransom, who won the Polari First Book Prize in 2023 for his debut novel 'The Whale Tattoo', is now among the six finalists for the Polari Book Prize for his second novel 'The Gallopers'. Joelle Taylor won the 2022 Polari Prize for her collection of poems on butch subculture 'C+nto & Othered Poems'. Other nominees for the Book Prize include William Hussey for 'Killing Jericho', Orlando Ortega-Medina for 'The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants', David Shenton for 'Forty Lies', Viola Di Grado for 'Blue Hunger' translated by Jamie Richards, and Paul Stephenson for 'Hard Drive'. English model and activist Munroe Bergdorf is also nominated for the First Book Prize for her memoir 'Transitional: In One Way or Another, We All Transition', which explores her personal transition and broader life transitions. Bergdorf, known for being the first British trans model to represent L'Oréal, is likely the most recognized name on the shortlists.
The other nominees for the First Book Prize are Rachel Dawson for 'Neon Roses', Joshua Jones for 'Local Fires', Chloe Michelle for 'Sunburn', Nicola Dinan for 'Bellies', and Kostya Tsolakis for 'Greekling'. On the announcement of the First Book Prize longlist earlier this year, Ransom commented: “This is an exciting and diverse longlist, showcasing the finest LGBTQ+ writing today.” Paul Burston, the founder of the Polari Prizes, stated: “This year’s shortlists celebrate the diversity and richness of LGBTQ literary talent in the UK and Ireland today.” He added: “These books explore sexuality, gender, history, and politics with humor, 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.”
The Children’s and YA Prize shortlist includes five books that explore LGBTQ+ themes for younger readers. One notable entry is Robert Tregoning’s 'Out of the Blue', illustrated by Stef Murphy, which features a young boy living in a world where only blue is allowed, but he secretly loves yellow. Other nominees include Kat Dunn for 'Bitterthorn', Sarah Hagger-Holt for 'The Fights That Make Us', Lex Croucher for 'Gwen and Art are not in Love', and Sophie Cameron for 'Award with Words'. The Polari Prizes are among the few LGBTQ+ focused literary awards globally, serving as the UK and Ireland’s equivalent to the established Lambda Literary Awards in the US.
