The Story Prize has announced the finalists for its 2026 award, which honors “the author of an outstanding collection of short fiction.”
Lydia Millet was named a finalist for her book Atavists, a collection of linked stories about a group of people facing various crises in Los Angeles. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus praised the book as “sharply observed, beautifully rendered, and heartbreaking.”
Ayşegül Savaş made the shortlist for Long Distance, which explores lost connections and disappointment. The collection, which is longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, received a starred review from Kirkus, with a critic calling the stories “subtle but clearly drawn sketches of the ties that bind and that, inevitably, come undone.”
André Alexis earned a finalist spot for Other Worlds, which explores themes of confusion and alienation. The collection was longlisted for Canada’s prestigious Giller Prize.
Larry Dark, the director of the prize, said in a statement, “We continue to encounter artistically inspired and original work every year—even after reading thousands of entries. Books like these exemplify the vast range of potential forms a short story collection can take.”
The Story Prize was established in 2004. Previous winners include Jim Shepard for Like You’d Understand, Anyway, Elizabeth McCracken for Thunderstruck, and Ling Ma for Bliss Montage.
The winner of the prize, which comes with a cash award of $20,000, will be announced at a private event on March 31.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
