Five Young Writers Chosen as Finalists for New York Public Library’s 2015 Young Lions Fiction Award

The New York Public Library has announced the finalists for the fifteenth annual Young Lions Fiction Award, honoring the works of five dynamic, young authors. The winning writer will be awarded a $10,000 prize on April 27, 2015 at 8pm during a ceremony held in the Celeste Bartos Forum of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Actor and Young Lions Fiction Award founder Ethan Hawke will serve as this year’s host.

The finalists for 2015 Young Lions Fiction Award are:

Molly Antopol, The UnAmericans

Jesse Ball, Silence Once Begun

Catherine Lacey, Nobody is Ever Missing

Andrew Ladd, What Ends

Ben Lerner, 10:04

The Young Lions Fiction Award is given annually to an American writer age 35 or younger for either a novel or collection of short stories.  Each year, five young fiction writers are selected as finalists by a reading committee of Young Lions members, writers, editors, and librarians. A panel of award judges, including writers Ayana Mathis, Rebecca Mead, and Paul Yoon, will select the winner of this year’s $10,000 prize. Yoon was last year’s winner for his book, Snow Hunters. Actors Vincent Piazza from HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Jenny Slate, star of the 2014 movie Obvious Child, will be performing readings of each finalist’s work during the event.

The night’s program will be followed by a benefit celebration in Astor Hall—featuring DJ Neil Armstrong—with all proceeds supporting the New York Public Library.

Past winners of the Young Lions Fiction Award include: Claire Vaye Watkins, Battleborn; Karen Russell, Swamplandia; Adam Levin, The Instructions; Wells Tower, Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned; Salvatore Scibona, The End; Ron Currie, Jr., God is Dead; Olga Grushin, The Dream Life of Sukhanov; Uzodinma Iweala, Beasts of No Nation; Andrew Sean Greer, The Confessions of Max Tivoli; Monique Truong, Book of Salt; Anthony Doerr, The Shell Collector; Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything is Illuminated; Colson Whitehead, John Henry Days; and Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves.

About the Young Lions

The Young Lions is a membership group for New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s who are committed to supporting the work of the Library. Each season, members enjoy exclusive events that feature young writers and leaders in the arts, politics, business, law, and the media.  Through presenting dynamic events and contributing to the General Book Fund, the Young Lions are integral to the life of the Library and its future. Information about the Young Lions group, including events and forums, is available online at www.nypl.org/joinyl or phone 212-930-0885.

About The New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award

The New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award is a $10,000 prize awarded each spring to a writer age 35 or younger for a novel or a collection of short stories. Established in 2001, this annual award recognizes the work of young authors and celebrates their accomplishments publicly, making a difference in their lives as they continue to build their careers. The Young Lions Fiction Award was founded by Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, Rick Moody, and Hannah McFarland. The Award is made possible by an endowment created with generous gifts from Russell Abrams, Nina Collins, Hannah and Gavin McFarland, Ethan Hawke, Stephan Loewentheil, Rick Moody, Andrea Olshan and Jennifer Rudolph Walsh.

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For media inquiries, please contact Adenike Olanrewaju:  adenikeolanrewaju@nypl.org