THE ORIGINAL shortlisted for 2026 James Tait Black Prize

Nell Stevens’ The Original has been shortlisted for the 2026 James Tait Black Prize in the fiction category.

“Showcasing the vibrancy of contemporary publishing, the James Tait Black Prizes are awarded annually to the best work of fiction and biography, judged by University of Edinburgh scholars and literature students. This year’s nominations feature ten works from international writers that take creative risks and push the boundaries of form, style and subject matter. This year’s shortlists were selected from the highest number of submissions ever recorded, with 300 titles considered in the fiction category and 200 for the biography prize. The winners will be announced in May.”

“The James Tait Black Prize for Fiction is an independent prize with no commercial or market pressures – our only concern is for great literature – so we’re truly free to go beyond the mainstream. I'm thrilled to present a fiction shortlist that shows the endless capacity of contemporary writing to provoke, challenge, and surprise its readers.”

Dr Hannah Boast, University of Edinburgh, Lead Judge for Fiction