Friday, December 4th at 6:30pm
The Center for Fiction

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About the Fête

Friday, December 4th at 6:30pm

The Center for Fiction
15 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11217

Dress Code: Literary chic—from bold and festive to cocktail sleek.

Join us for the best book(ish) party in Brooklyn. The First Novel Fête is one of our favorite traditions, celebrating the seven debut novelists shortlisted for our First Novel Prize. Enjoy readings from the finalists' work, meet and mingle with some of today's most celebrated writers, catch up over light bites and drinks from our open bar, win door prizes from our generous sponsors, and more. This year's Fête once again promises to be a fun, festive evening—we can't wait to see you there.

The Fête also helps sustain our work for readers and writers of all ages. Proceeds support The Center's KidsRead program with New York City public schools, our fellowships and awards for emerging writers, community programs, and more.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Featuring

Auguste White
The Evening’s Emcee

Seasonal Bites & Desserts from WINNER

Whisky Tastings from Johnnie Walker

Wine Provided by Selection Massale

Auguste White is an Emmy winning and five-time Emmy nominated comedian, writer, and director. She was recently named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 List. After three years as a supervising writer at Saturday Night Live, she joined Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Sam Means’s latest collaboration with Tracy Morgan and Danielle Radcliffe: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins on NBC. Auguste lives in Brooklyn, where she recently adopted two evil and violent cats, Alice and Sunday.

The Center for Fiction 2026 First Novel Prize Shortlist

Emeline Atwood

Samantha Josephs

T Kira Madden

Giada Scodellaro

Avigayl Sharp

Ankur Thakkar

Nafissa Thompson-Spires

A Real Animal
Emeline Atwood
Catapult

Carrying
Samantha Josephs
G. P. Putnam's Sons

Whidbey
T Kira Madden
Mariner Books

Ruins, Child
Giada Scodellaro
New Directions Publishing

Offseason
Avigayl Sharp
Astra House

Blow Yourself Up
Ankur Thakkar
TriQuarterly Books

The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford
Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Scribner

Thank You to Our Early Supporters

DJ McManus Foundation

The 2026 Fête Committee

Co-Chairs
Emily Burns
Meaghan Leahy

Stephen Altobelli, Mieke Chew, Kate Gester, Sage Gilbert, Ava Grandfield, Sasha Greensfelder, Sarah Haeckel, Zoe Harris, Alicia Kroell, Chrisinda Lynch, Maya Raiford Cohen, Patricia Rivera, Madeline Ticknor, Katie Yee

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, please email development@centerforfiction.org.