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Exclusive: 'Friday Black,' 'There There' And More Longlisted For Aspen Words Prize

<em></em>The Aspen Words literary prize is given to works of fiction that address contemporary issues.
Erin Baiano
The Aspen Words literary prize is given to works of fiction that address contemporary issues.

The Aspen Institute has announced this year's nominees for its annual prize — 16 titles (including several short story collections and quite a few debut authors) that, in the Institute's words, address "a vital contemporary issue."

The topics these books cover may seem familiar if you follow the news, Aspen Words executive director Adrienne Brodeur said in a statement. "Gun violence, immigration, police brutality, Native American culture — but fiction allows us to examine these issues with more compassion." Brodeur says she hopes the list will get these books into readers' hands, "while also sparking meaningful dialogue around some of our greatest challenges today."

Last year's inaugural prize went to Mohsin Hamid, for Exit West, his powerful novel about migration, refugees, love and loss.

The Institute has partnered with NPR to announce this year's list, as well as the finalists in February. Five judges — including National Book Award nominee Dorothy Allison and Whiting Award winner Samrat Upadhyay — will pick the finalists and the winner of the $35,000 prize, which will be revealed in April at a ceremony in New York City.

You can find the nominees here — or simply scroll down for the list, with links to our coverage.

Friday Black Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah


The Boat People Sharon Bala


A Lucky Man: Stories Jamel Brinkley


America is Not the Heart Elaine Castillo


Brother David Chariandy


Gun Love Jennifer Clement


Freshwater Akwaeke Emezi


Small Country Gaël Faye


Where the Dead Sit Talking Brandon Hobson


An American Marriage Tayari Jones


The Incendiaries R.O. Kwon


Severance Ling Ma


Bring Out the Dog: Stories Will Mackin


There There Tommy Orange


If You See Me, Don't Say Hi: Stories Neel Patel


Heads of the Colored People Nafissa Thompson-Spires


Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Petra Mayer died on November 13, 2021. She has been remembered by friends and colleagues, including all of us at NPR. The Petra Mayer Memorial Fund for Internships has been created in her honor.