We are delighted to announce the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, First Book and Research shortlists for Scotland’s National Book Awards 2024

FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR

Including an allegorical novella, a fresh take on the gothic novel, a raw and authentic melding of a police procedural with the history of ‘women’s lib’, a complex meditation on guilt and complicity, and a moving historical novel, the Fiction shortlist demonstrates the breadth and strength of Scottish women’s writing.

Our judges said, ‘We were looking for novels with unique ambition. What set the shortlist apart was the writers’ ability to immerse us in the world of the novel, keeping the rules and rhythms of the worlds they created intact. We were looking for dexterous use of language and well-realised characters of all genders, and we found these in this selection of titles, along with themes that resonated through the ages, from loneliness, inequality and misogyny to the power of language to beguile and manipulate.’

The FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR Shortlist is (in alphabetical order by author):

Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein (Granta)

What Doesn’t Kill Us by Ajay Close (Saraband)

Clear by Carys Davies (Granta)

Lost People by Margaret Elphinstone (Wild Goose)

Hazardous Spirits by Anbara Salam (Baskerville, an imprint of John Murray)

 

NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR

 

Our five-strong shortlist includes two affecting, funny and very different memoirs of growing up in Scotland, an exploration of Dutch Golden Age art, a memoir of queer parenthood and a meticulously researched and hugely entertaining biography.

 

Our judges said the titles, ‘roused our curiosity, moved us and made us question the assumptions we held. From the ways in which we look at art to our reflections on past experiences as educators, we can honestly say we look at the world differently as a result of our reading. We were especially pleased by the range of subject matter. These awards do not take a narrow view of Scottish books and we were pleased to shortlist writers born here - writing about Scotland or not - writers who have made their home here, and writers engaging with Scotland and her people from different perspectives.’

 

The NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR Shortlist is:

Thunderclap by Laura Cumming (Chatto and Windus, Vintage, Penguin Random House)
The Unfamiliar: A Queer Motherhood Memoir by Kirsty Logan (Virago)
Already Too Late by Carl MacDougall (Luath Press)
O Brother by John Niven (Canongate Books)
Ian Fleming: The Complete Man by Nicholas Shakespeare (Harvill Secker, Vintage, Penguin Random House)

 

FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR

 

The First Book of the Year identifies rising stars and this year’s diverse and challenging shortlist includes a ground-breaking poetic depiction of disability and parenthood, a haunting memoir from war-torn Ukraine, a feminist reimagining of the Gunpowder Plot, a bold modern gothic fiction exploring shared trauma, and a wistful story of coming of age amidst grief.

 

Our judges said, ‘Our key criteria in reaching our shortlist were excitement and promise. Each one of our titles impressed us in its own right, and each one left us wanting to read more by the writer. In many cases we found it impossible to predict what that next work might be, and that is testament to the skill and freshness of these voices.’

 

The FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR Shortlist is:

 

Fragile Animals by Genevieve Jagger (404 Ink) (fiction)
Remember, Remember by Elle Machray (HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd, HarperNorth) (fiction)
The Old Haunts by Allan Radcliffe (Fairlight Books) (fiction)
Night Train to Odesa by Jen Stout (Birlinn Ltd) (non-fiction)
The Department of Work and Pensions Assesses a Jade Fish by Nuala Watt (Blue Diode Press)

 

FIRST BOOK OF THE YEAR

 

The impressive Poetry Book of the Year Shortlist boasts the late John Burnside - a previous winner of Book of the Year Award amongst his many other accolades - alongside former National Makar Jackie Kay – also a previous winner of the First Book Award - new Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen and previous Poetry Book of the Year winner Janette Ayachi.  It also highlights compelling emerging talents Marjorie Lotfi and K Patrick.

 

Our judges said, ‘we had an unenviable task some would say, given the quality of the books on the longlist. But what could be better than reading and talking about work that encapsulates the whole range, creative shock and beauty of Scottish poetry today?’

 

The POETRY BOOK OF THE YEAR Shortlist is:

 

QuickFire, Slow Burning, Janette Ayachi (Pavilion Poetry, Liverpool University Press)
RUIN, BLOSSOM, John Burnside (Jonathan Cape, Vintage, PRH)
May Day, Jackie Kay (Pan Macmillan)
The Wrong Person to Ask, Marjorie Lotfi (Bloodaxe Books)
Three Births, K Patrick (Granta)
The Cat Prince: & Other Poems, Michael Pedersen (Corsair (Little, Brown Book Group)

 

RESEARCH BOOK OF THE YEAR

 

The impressive Research Book of the Year Shortlist includes the only shortlisted title in Scottish Gaelic – an edition of poet Sorley MacLean’s own reflections on his life and influences - alongside reexaminations of Tudor policy on Scotland, Marian studies, the study of the Salt industry, and women’s role in literary culture.

 

Our judges said, ‘The titles on our shortlist address gaps in scholarship, introduce new perspectives on subjects we think we know, and overturn previous ways of thinking. Approaches are interdisciplinary and consider community history and archaeology and other forms of practice engaging with the past. All of these volumes impress with their vision and coherence, and remind us of the importance of historical scholarship to the here and now.’

 

The RESEARCH BOOK OF THE YEAR Shortlist is:

Somhairle MacGill-Eathain na Bhriathran Fhèin le Mairi Sìne Chaimbeul, Jo NicDhòmhnaill & Iseabail NicGill-Eain (Acair)
England’s Insular Imagining by Lorna Hutson (Cambridge University Press and Assessment)
The Afterlife of Mary, Queen of Scots by Steven J. Reid (Edinburgh University Press)
Salt: Scotland’s Newest Oldest Industry, eds. Christopher A. Whatley, Joanna Hambly (Birlinn)
Scotland's Royal Women and European Literary Culture, 1424 – 1587 by Emily Wingfield (Brepols Publishers)

 

On introducing the 2024 Shortlists, Mairi Kidd, Director of The Saltire Society, said:

‘This year’s shortlists showcase the dazzling variety of work coming out of Scotland today. There is an obvious poignancy in the presence of the last works of two – very different - writers who are no longer with us, but we are glad to pay tribute to them alongside so many other established and emergent voices. We very much hope that readers in Scotland and further afield will enjoy exploring the shortlists and will join us via livestream in November as we announce the winners, plus Scotland’s overall Book of the Year.’

The winners in each category will be announced on Thursday 28^th November along with the overall Book of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.