Here’s the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Fiction.
Today, the National Book Foundation announced the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Fiction. These ten titles were selected from a pool of 451 books submitted for consideration by their publishers.
The National Book Foundation announced the longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Fiction on September 17, 2026. This list includes ten books selected from 451 submissions by publishers. The longlist represents the first stage of the award process, narrowing down the field of candidates before the finalists are chosen. The National Book Award is one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the United States, recognizing outstanding works of fiction published in the country. The finalists will be announced on October 6, 2026, and the winners will be revealed at the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony on November 18, 2026.
A panel of five judges selected the 2026 Fiction longlist. The judges are Matt Bell, Caro De Robertis (who serves as Chair), Danielle King, Akhil Sharma, and Diane Wilson. Their role is to evaluate the submitted books based on literary merit, originality, and contribution to the field of fiction. The chairperson, Caro De Robertis, leads the discussions and ensures the selection process remains fair and transparent. The judges’ identities are typically announced in advance to build credibility and trust in the award’s integrity.
The 2026 Fiction longlist features ten books by diverse authors, each exploring unique themes and styles. The titles include Paradiso 17 by Hannah Lillith Assadi, Red Ants by Kimberly Blaeser, Dèy by Edwidge Danticat, Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You by Julián Delgado Lopera, Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich, The Disappearers by Marlon James, Beginning Middle End by Valeria Luiselli, Passengers by Alexander Maksik, The Renovation by Kenan Orhan, and Mad Eden by Morgan Thomas. These works were chosen from 451 submissions, highlighting the competitive nature of the award.
The longlisted books are published by a variety of well-known publishing houses, including Knopf, Counterpoint Press, Liveright, Harper, Riverhead Books, Europa Editions, Farrar Straus and Giroux, and MCD. These publishers play a crucial role in the literary ecosystem by selecting, editing, and promoting works that they believe will resonate with readers and critics. The involvement of multiple publishers ensures a broad representation of voices and styles in the longlist, reflecting the diversity of contemporary fiction.
The selection process for the National Book Award for Fiction follows a structured timeline. After the longlist announcement on September 17, 2026, the judges will further narrow down the list to finalists, which will be revealed on October 6, 2026. The final winners will be announced at the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony on November 18, 2026. This timeline allows publishers, authors, and readers to anticipate and engage with the award process, building excitement and visibility for the nominated works.
