The longlist for the Aspen Words Literary Prize has been revealed, with 15 books in contention for the annual award given to “an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.”
Angela Flournoy made the longlist for her novel The Wilderness, which was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize and was longlisted for the National Book Award. Rabih Alameddine was nominated for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), a finalist for the National Book Award.
S.A. Cosby was longlisted for King of Ashes, alongside Bruce Holsinger for Culpability, Sonora Jha for Intemperance, Wally Lamb for The River Is Waiting, Michelle Lerner for Ring, Claire Lynch for A Family Matter, and Charlotte McConaghy for Wild Dark Shore.
Mia McKenzie made the longlist for These Heathens, as did Dolen Perkins-Valdez for Happy Land, Princess Joy L. Perry for This Here Is Love, Maria Reva for Endling, Kionna Walker LeMalle for Behind the Waterline, and Jess Walter for So Far Gone.
The Aspen Words Literary Prize, which comes with a cash award of $35,000, was established in 2018. Previous winners include Mohsin Hamid for Exit West, Louise Erdrich for The Night Watchman, and Tommy Orange for Wandering Stars.
The shortlist for this year’s prize will be revealed on March 11, 2026, with the winner revealed on April 23, 2026.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
