Goldsboro Books is delighted to unveil the shortlist for the 2025 Glass Bell Award, a literary prize that celebrates exceptional storytelling in contemporary fiction, regardless of genre. Now in its ninth year, the award continues to champion novels that combine immersive narratives, vivid settings, and unforgettable characters - from gripping thrillers to imaginative fantasies, sweeping historical sagas to intimate literary works.
Founded in 2017 by Goldsboro Books Managing Director David Headley, the Glass Bell Award is the only prize that recognises "compelling storytelling with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice" across all genres, including crime, fantasy, historical, literary, and contemporary fiction. Past winners include Chris Cleave’s Everyone Brave is Forgiven, Elodie Harper’s The Wolf Den, and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six. Last year’s winner, Costanza Casati, took home the prize for her debut Clytemnestra, which was presented at Goldsboro’s 25th birthday celebrations.
This year’s shortlist brings together an eclectic mix of voices, styles, and perspectives, reflecting the award’s mission to honour fiction in all its forms. From sweeping historical narratives and inventive reimaginings of classic tales, to speculative adventures, poignant coming-of-age mysteries, and lyrical explorations of memory and loss, the selected titles demonstrate the enduring power of great storytelling to transport, challenge, and inspire.
The 2025 shortlist features A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike, an utterly dazzling historical tale of secrets and illusions; The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks, a beguiling and speculative journey through strange and perilous lands; The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey, a tender coming-of-age mystery set in 1970s Yorkshire; James by Percival Everett, a bold and brilliant reimagining of Huckleberry Finn through Jim’s eyes; There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak, a lyrical meditation on memory, loss and hope; and All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, an emotionally charged and gripping tale.
Goldsboro Books Managing Director David Headley said of the shortlist:
“Each year, the Glass Bell Award reminds us of the extraordinary breadth of talent in contemporary fiction, and this year’s shortlist is no exception. These six books are wildly different in style, scope and setting, yet they all share that rare magic - the ability to completely transport a reader. From the first page to the last, they demand to be read, remembered and shared, and I’m thrilled to celebrate such bold and brilliant storytelling.”
The Glass Bell Award is judged exclusively by the Goldsboro Books team, who draw on their extensive experience as booksellers and passionate readers to choose a winner. Every book is read and discussed by the team, ensuring the final decision reflects a genuine love of outstanding storytelling across all genres.
Shortlist
The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks (W&N, Orion)
James by Percival Everett (Picador & Mantle, Pan Macmillan)
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (Hutchinson Heinemann, PRH)
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike (Fig Tree, PRH)
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Viking, PRH)
All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Orion Books)
About the Glass Bell Award
Launched in 2017, the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award is awarded annually to an outstanding work of contemporary fiction, rewarding quality storytelling in any genre. The winner of the Glass Bell will receive £2,000 in prize money and an engraved glass bell. The team members from GoldsboroBooks decide the contenders. Previous winners include Chris Cleave for Everyone Brave is Forgiven (Sceptre), John Boyne for The Heart’s Invisible Furies (Transworld), Christina Dalcher for VOX (HQ), Clare Whitfield for People of Abandoned Character (HoZ), Elodie Harper for The Wolf Den (HoZ), Ayanna Lloyd Banwo for When We Were Birds and Costanza Casati for Clytemnestra (Michael Joseph).
