DOLORES by Lauren Aimee Curtis is shortlisted for The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2020

Congratulations to Lauren Aimee Curtis on being shortlisted for The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction 2020. Her debut novel, DOLORES (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2019), joins five other books in the running for the prize run by independent retailer Readings. 

Joe Rubbo, Chair of Judges, said: 'Deciding on the shortlist was extremely difficult, and so many good and interesting books just missed out. Our final choices include three assured short-story collections, two compelling novels and one gut-punch of a novella. Four of these works come from first-time authors, while two are sophomore outings, and it’s heartening to note that six different publishers are featured. Through this reading process, I was reminded of the vibrancy of our local publishing scene, and its commitment to telling Australian stories by new voices. It’s something we readers should all cherish and support, now more than ever.'

About DOLORES, he said: 'This is a highly enigmatic novella that manages to work some strange magic on the reader. The writing is superb and the imagery leaves an indelible impression. Lauren Aimee Curtis’s debut is one of those books you can’t wait to discuss with other readers.'

DOLORES received critical acclaim on publication in the UK and ANZ, was a New Statesman Book of the Year, and was also recently shortlisted for the UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing at the 2020 NSW Premier's Literary Awards. The paperback edition will be available from Weidenfeld & Nicolson in February 2021.