The Desmond Elliott Prize is an annual prize for a first novel written in English and published in the UK. Worth £10,000 to the winner, the prize is named after the literary agent and publisher, Desmond Elliott, who died in 2003.

Desmond Elliott’s ethos to support new writers will live on in the shape of the prize.

When choosing the winner, a panel of three judges will look for a novel which:

• has a compelling narrative
• has arresting characters
• is both vividly written and confidently realised

Books will be considered from all fiction genres.  As an indicator, last year’s shortlist was: Gifted by Nikita Lalwani (which went on to win), Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith, and Sunday at The Cross Bones by John Walsh.

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