Von Reinhold wins Republic of Consciousness Prize for ‘Lote’

In the UK, Shola von Reinhold and Jacaranda Press have won this year’s Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses for von Reinhold’s debut novel Lote, reports the Bookseller.

Von Reinhold’s novel explores central character Mathilda’s obsession with the circle of creatives known collectively as the Bright Young Things of the 1920s, culminating in her discovery of a forgotten Black Scottish modernist poet. Lote was published as part of #Twentyin2020, Jacaranda’s project to publish 20 books by Black British authors in 2020, and has since been shortlisted for the James Tait Black Prizes.

Judge Guy Gunaratne called Lote a ‘dazzling novel’. ‘At once a seriously funny novel rich with intrigue and suspense, it is also an indictment and a powerful decolonial response to historical and contemporary attempts to curate art and art history within the calcified mould of European conservatism,’ said Gunaratne.

Von Reinhold’s novel won from a shortlist featuring A Ghost in the Throat (Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Tramp Press), Men and Apparitions (Lynne Tillman, Peninsula Press), The Mermaid of Black Conch (Monique Roffey, Peepal Tree Press) and A Musical Offering (Luis Sagasti, trans by Fionn Petch, Charco Press).

Each shortlisted book received £3000 (A$5480) overall, split between the publisher (66%) and the author (33%). Von Reinhold receives an additional £1000 (A$1830) on top of this, while Jacaranda Books receives a further £2500 (A$4570).

The award, which was launched in 2017, recognises ‘brave, bold and brilliant’ literature from small presses in the UK.

Category: International news