Honoring Haruki Murakami
Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award
Introduced by Patti Smith

Honoring Kate Medina
Medal for Editorial Excellence
Introduced by Anna Quindlen

Featuring Emcee André Holland

And Presenting the First Novel Prize
to One of the Seven Shortlisted Authors
Introduced by Joseph Earl Thomas

The 2025 First Novel Prize Shortlist

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh
Colwill Brown
Macmillan / Henry Holt and Co.

The Devil Three Times
Rickey Fayne
Hachette Book Group / Little, Brown and Company

Ibis
Justin Haynes
Abrams / The Overlook Press

Loca
Alejandro Heredia
Simon & Schuster

Natch
Darrell Kinsey
University of Iowa Press

Liquid
Mariam Rahmani
Hachette Book Group / Algonquin Books

Optional Practical Training
Shubha Sunder
Graywolf Press

About the Benefit

Each December, the literary world comes together at The Center for Fiction Awards Benefit to celebrate and support the creation and enjoyment of the art of fiction. Please join us as we honor excellence and achievement in writing and publishing. Funds raised by the Benefit provide essential support for all of The Center's work, including transformative opportunities for emerging writers, exceptional public programming, and immersive educational experiences for public school students throughout the five boroughs, fostering a sense of community among diverse readers and writers through the art of storytelling in all its forms. We look forward to celebrating with you.

For more information about The Center for Fiction Annual Awards Benefit, please reach out to Melissa Wyse at development@centerforfiction.org.

Thank You to Our Early Supporters

LUMINARY

LEADER

Lloyd Lynford

The Alfred, Lee, Peter Mayer Foundation

Siddhartha Mukherjee

Susanna Porter & James M. Clark

Susan & Peter Restler

Gretchen Rubin

Mary Jo & Ted Shen

Nina von Moltke

2025 Benefit Host Committee