Judging for this year’s Prize is acclaimed author Clyde Edgerton. Edgerton is the author of ten novels, a book of advice, a memoir, short stories, and essays. He has been a Guggenheim Fellow and five of his novels have been New York Times Notable Books. He is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers and teaches creative writing at UNC Wilmington. Edgerton is widely considered one of the premier novelists working in the Southern tradition today.

“The depth and diversity of Southern storytelling continues to astound us year after year,” said Anna Hayes, Foundation President. “These ten remarkable debut novels represent the evolving landscape of Southern literature, each bringing fresh perspectives and voices to our literary tradition. From intimate family sagas to sweeping historical narratives, this year’s longlist demonstrates that Southern fiction remains as vital as ever.”

The Crook’s Corner Book Prize continues to highlight emerging fiction writers, who typically face some of the toughest obstacles in publishing. Although eligible books must be predominantly set in the South, authors may live anywhere, and all genres of fiction, except for Young Adult, are eligible. The 2025 Prize was awarded in January to Thao Thai’s “Banyan Moon,” published by HarperCollins.

The Crook’s Corner Book Prize Shortlist will be announced in September.

For more information on the Prize and submission guidelines, please visit www.CrooksCornerBookPrize.com or follow us on Facebook, and Instagram.

About the Crook’s Corner Book Prize

Inspired by the literary prizes awarded by famous Parisian cafés such as the Deux Magots and the Café de Flore, the Crook’s Corner Book Prize honors the iconic Crook’s Corner, which for 40 years was a culinary, literary, and artistic beacon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Sadly, Crook’s Corner closed in 2021. However, the Crook’s Corner Book Prize continues its annual award, a fitting homage to the unforgettable restaurant.