Longlist 2025
To everyone who entered the 2025 First 5 Pages Prize by the Stockholm Writers Festival: We received 1,164, a record-breaking number. Submissions came from all around the world and across all genres. It was our privilege to read new and exciting voices that immersed us in unforgettable words.
If you’re not on this list, please take this to heart: All contests are subjective. This competition was particularly tough and our judgment doesn’t mean your writing isn’t superlative. Everything is subjective. Don’t give up!
For the writers named below: Congratulations! We hope this recognition boosts your confidence, and keeps you pursuing your craft.
Longlist
(alphabetical by surname)
Crookback, Fantasy, Dan Bain
As the lord hangs around her neck, Literary Fiction, Lauren Barbato
Dream Sweet in Minor Sea, Science Fiction, Janneke de Beer
The Entourage, Crime or Thriller, Karin Drangel
No More Bets, Crime or Thriller, Michael Fleming
The Lamentation of Eleanor Maye, Historical Fiction, Amy Gray
An Incurable Thirst, Young Adult, Hayley King
A Fortunate Life, Molded in an African Hut, Memoir/Narrative Non-Fiction, Julia Majaha-Jartby
Bauhinia, Literary Fiction, Erica Li
The Polarity of Dreams, Memoir/Narrative Non-Fiction, Kyung Meill
There You Are, Literary Fiction, Maria Sabaye Moghaddam
Missing Eden, Literary Fiction, Laura Mullen
One Final Thing, Crime or Thriller, Amanda O'Callaghan
Nonsuch Island, Crime or Thriller, Clare O'Connor
Snow Periscope, Fantasy, George Rogers
Bruno, the Anti-Matter Cornflake, Young Adult, Mark Shupe
Hurt People, Literary Fiction, Randall Silvis
Better Late Than Never, Historical Fiction, Judy Taylor
Monster face, Literary Fiction, Abby Walker
The girl in the telescope, Literary Fiction, Janice Warman
Floodwaters, Literary Fiction, Joshua Wildie