Peters Fraser + Dunlop (PFD) announced the second annual winners of the PFD Queer Fiction Prize, “set up to discover fresh new talent from underrepresented communities in adult and children’s fiction, and to give full weight support to writers. Company”.
Kenyan author Lelach Raab has won the adult category for his literary fiction entry Freedom of birds and signed with agent Cara Lee Simpson. Freedom of birds It tells the story of an eccentric man who, after losing his job in Nairobi, returns to his rural home in Dolosio, the village he first fled to. There, he begins raising chickens and confronts his difficult scandalous past as he negotiates a new way to love and belong.
Rob said: „I’m glad I won. I started writing Freedom of birds Without thinking about the final output. When I discovered its joy and met its readers, I hoped they would enjoy it as much as I did writing it. Through the prize, I met Cara, the perfect agent for my work, with whom I look forward to crafting my story, one of hopes and dreams, claiming ownership of an exotic East Africa and bringing it to a wider readership.”
Writer and judge Tufayel Ahmed said of the work: „I was immediately drawn to the vivid characters and evocative sense of place in Lelach Rob’s writing. Rob uniquely explores how sexuality, identity and culture are intertwined in a small, rural community in Kenya. It feels like a story that needs to be told.” , I can’t wait to read more.”
Christina Rahim won in the Children & YA category for her contemporary middle grade novel Donut Club and signs with Silvia Molteni. The book’s description reads: „When donor-conceived Quinn Parker discovers she has 16 donor-siblings, she’s overjoyed — until she realizes one of them could be her worst enemy.”
Rahim said: “It’s an honor to be chosen for the PFD Queer Prize, but to be chosen as the winner was a shock to me! I was inspired to write Donut Club To reject the world of donor-conception for children. Donor children, including my own, may have a lot of explaining to friends about how they came into the world. I am proud to work on a story that helps these children see and understand better.
Editor and judge Phil Van Martin said: “I had an absolute blast reading each of these entries – such imagination, humor and skillful characterization – all writers should be really proud of themselves. It’s always hard to pick a winner, but Christina is very smart and intelligent Donut Club Already so accomplished, empathetic and easy-going, it’s impossible to resist! I know from personal experience that he will be in great hands with Sylvia and the rest of the PFD team.”
Lee Simpson added: „The quality of this year’s entries was exceptionally high and we are delighted to be working with our new winners to develop their manuscripts. We are delighted with the success of the prize, which was launched last year and already has many entrants going on to secure book deals.
The winners and shortlists of the first year of the PFD Queer Fiction Prize have already received publishing deals for their novels. Love birdsPresented by Leanne Egan (YA Winner 2022) was pre-booked by HarperCollins Children’s, while Anna Quirke’s listed title sold in an as yet undisclosed deal. On the adult page, listed titles Beach roadWent to Bloomsbury and by Alan MurinOne day your sadness will endSold by Phoebe Stucks in an as yet undisclosed deal. The prize will run again in 2024, with further details to be announced.
„Totalny pionier w sieci. Specjalista od piwa niezależny. Ewangelista popkultury. Miłośnik muzyki. Nieprzepraszający przedsiębiorca”.