Full Breakdown
2025 National Book Award Longlist for Fiction Announced
9/13/2025, 11:58:20 PM
Overview of the Longlist Announcement
The National Book Foundation has unveiled the longlist for the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction, featuring ten titles selected from a pool of 434 submissions. The announcement was made by the foundation, which aims to honor the best literature published in the United States. This year’s judges for the Fiction category include Rumaan Alam (Chair), Debra Magpie Earling, Attica Locke, Elizabeth McCracken, and Cody Morrison. The finalists will be revealed on October 7, with the winners announced during the 76th National Book Awards Ceremony on November 19.
The 2025 Fiction Longlist
The longlist for the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction includes the following titles:
1. Rabih Alameddine - *The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)* (Grove Press / Grove Atlantic)
2. Susan Choi - *Flashlight* (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers)
3. Angela Flournoy - *The Wilderness* (Mariner Books / HarperCollins Publishers)
4. Jonas Hassen Khemiri - *The Sisters*
5. Megha Majumdar - *A Guardian and a Thief* (Knopf / Penguin Random House)
6. Kevin Moffett - *Only Son* (McSweeney’s)
7. Karen Russell - *The Antidote*
8. Ethan Rutherford - *North Sun: Or, the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther* (A Strange Object / Deep Vellum Publishing)
9. Bryan Washington - *Palaver*
10. Joy Williams - *The Pelican Child*
Notable Works and Authors
This year’s longlist features a mix of established authors and debut novels. Joy Williams, whose previous nomination was over 50 years ago, returns with *The Pelican Child*, a collection of short stories set in a challenging world. Susan Choi’s *Flashlight* explores generational tensions within a Korean American family and is also on the Booker Prize’s Fiction Longlist. Angela Flournoy’s *The Wilderness* focuses on the evolving lives of a group of Black millennial women.
Official Statements & Responses
The National Book Foundation emphasizes its mission to celebrate outstanding literature and expand its audience. The foundation's efforts aim to ensure that books maintain a significant presence in American culture. The judges expressed their excitement about the diversity and quality of this year’s submissions, highlighting the importance of recognizing both new and established voices in literature.
Criticism & Opposition
While the longlist has been generally well-received, some critics have noted the limited representation of debut authors compared to previous years. The current longlist includes only two debut novels, a decrease from last year’s three. This has sparked discussions about the opportunities available for emerging writers in prestigious literary awards.
What's Next
The next significant date in the National Book Awards timeline is October 7, when the finalists across all categories will be announced. The awards ceremony will take place on November 19, where winners will receive a monetary prize and a bronze sculpture, further solidifying their recognition in the literary community.
