Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Hello! I’m Bob, and in a bit of a personal bookish dream come true, I was asked to be a judge for this year’s Polari Prize for Debuts!

After reading about 60 books, we narrowed it down to this fabulous longlist of 12!

Do check them out, and I hope you enjoy them!

More information on this fabulous prize here: polarisalon.com


Video Contents:

00:00 Introduction and Judging Overview
02:51 Sanah Ahsan- I cannot be good until you say it
03:24 Jane Cholmeley- A Bookshop of One’s Own
04:07 Sacha Coward- Queer As Folklore
04:49 Mae Diansangu- Bloodsongs
05:31 Curtis Garner- Isaac
06:15 Hanako Footman- Mongrel
07:01 Hugh Greenhalgh- The Diaries or Mr Lucas
07:54 Ciara Maguire- Impossible Heat
08:40 Eleanor Medhurst- Unsuitable
09:35 Jason Okundaye- Revolutionary Acts
10:31 June Thomas- A Place of Our Own
11:27 Amy Twigg- Spoilt Creatures
12:22 Longlist Discussion, Themes and Next Steps