Epic Stories, Dazzling Debuts and Literary Heavyweights:
Goldsboro Books Unveils 2025 Glass Bell Long List
Goldsboro Books is thrilled to reveal the long list for the 2025 Glass Bell Award, celebrating the very best storytelling across all genres of contemporary fiction. Now in its ninth year, the Glass Bell Award continues to champion compelling narratives, vivid settings, and unforgettable characters, regardless of where they sit on the shelf.
Founded in 2017 by Goldsboro Books Managing Director David Headley, the Glass Bell Award is the only prize that rewards "compelling storytelling with brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice" across all genres—whether that be crime, fantasy, historical, literary, or 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, among others. Last year’s winner was Costanza Casati for her debut, Clytemnestra,
which was presented at Goldsboro’s 25 birthday party.
This year’s long list is a vibrant mix of celebrated authors and fresh new talent, featuring six stunning debut novels alongside major literary heavyweights. From sweeping fantasies to chilling thrillers, lyrical literary fiction to inventive historical tales, the 2025 Glass Bell long list showcases the extraordinary breadth and depth of contemporary storytelling.
Chris Whitaker’s emotionally-charged and gripping ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK joins a haunting story of love and loss set in World War Two (THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden), a bold and brilliant reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, through Jim’s eyes (JAMES by Percival Everett), Jonny Sweet’s sharp and playful spy mystery debut (THE KELLERBY CODE), a sharp and high-stakes thriller from Abir Mukherjee (HUNTED), a brilliantly inventive and magical debut (Gareth Brown’s THE BOOK OF DOORS), a
tense and atmospheric tale of survival (BERLIN DUET by S. W. Perry), a fantasy adventure filled with danger and wit (THE SILVERBLOOD PROMISE by James Logan), a lyrical exploration of memory, loss and hope (Elif Shafak’s THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY), a tender coming-of-age mystery set in 1970s Yorkshire (THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS by Jennie Godfrey), a beguiling and speculative journey through strange and perilous lands (Sarah Brooks’ THE CAUTIOUS TRAVELLER’S GUIDE TO THE WASTELANDS) and an utterly dazzling historical tale of secrets and illusions (A LITTLE TRICKERIE by Rosanna Pike).
Goldsboro Books Managing Director David Headley said of the long list:
“The Glass Bell Award shines a spotlight on the unparalleled power of storytelling that knows no bounds of genre. This year's diverse long list is a testament to the boundless creativity and skill of writers who captivate and enthral us, leaving their stories to linger in readers' hearts and minds. We take great joy in honouring these exceptional storytellers and their unforgettable works.” 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."
Long List
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (Century, PRH)
The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks (W&N, Orion)
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (Transworld, PRH)
James by Percival Everett (Picador & Mantle, Pan Macmillan)
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (Hutchinson Heinemann, PRH)
The Silverblood Promise by James Logan (Arcadia, Quercus Books)
Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage, PRH)
Berlin Duet by S. W. Perry (Corvus, Atlantic Books)
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike (Fig Tree, PRH)
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Viking, PRH)
The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet (Faber & Faber)
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 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
Costanza Casati for Clytemnestra (Michael Joseph).
