Latest news with #NicolaDinan
Irish Times
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Polari prize: Nominees and judges withdraw over inclusion of John Boyne on longlist
Ten authors nominated for this year's Polari prizes, a set of UK awards celebrating LGBTQ+ literature, have withdrawn from the awards over the longlisting of John Boyne , who has described himself as a 'Terf' – the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Two judges have also withdrawn from the prize process, and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers have signed a statement calling on Polari to formally remove Boyne from the longlist. Boyne, who was longlisted for the main Polari book prize for his novella Earth , is best known for his 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Author Nicola Dinan, who won the Polari first book prize last year for her novel Bellies, resigned from this year's jury for the debut prize. Guardian journalist Jason Okundaye asked for his book Revolutionary Acts to be removed from this year's first book prize longlist, while Andrew McMillan withdrew his book Pity from the longlist for the overall Polari book prize for non-debuts. Heartstopper author Alice Oseman along with the writers Nikesh Shukla, Julia Armfield, Naoise Dolan , Seán Hewitt and Kirsty Logan are among the hundreds to have signed the statement. READ MORE 'We are profoundly disappointed by the Polari prize's decision to include John Boyne on the longlist for this year's Polari book prize,' the statement reads. Boyne 'has publicly and unequivocally associated himself with trans exclusionary sentiments', it continues, citing an Irish Independent article in which Boyne expresses support for JK Rowling and describes himself as a 'fellow Terf'. Boyne declined to comment. Boyne's 'public statements on trans rights and identity are incompatible with the LGBTQ+ community's most basic standards of inclusion', the statement continues. 'In any year, the decision to include Mr Boyne on the longlist would be, in our view, inappropriate and hurtful to the wider community of LGBTQ+ readers and writers. That the decision has been made this year – in the context of rising anti-trans hatred and systematic exclusion of trans people from public life in the UK and across the world – is inexcusable.' The statement was drafted in response to one made by the Polari prize on August 7th. 'It is inevitable given the challenges we face and the diversity of the lived experience we now represent under the LGBTQ+ Polari umbrella, that even within our community, we can at times hold radically different positions on substantive issues,' it says. 'This is one of those times.' In a statement to the Guardian on Monday, the Polari prize added that the 'past few weeks have been extremely difficult for the trans and non-binary writers and communities' associated with the award. 'The hurt and anger caused has been a matter of deep concern to everyone associated with the prize, for which we sincerely apologise. We accept and respect the decisions of those writers and judges who have chosen to withdraw,' the statement said. 'Despite these events, we are committed to going forward with the prize this year. However, we will be undertaking a full review of the prize processes, consulting representatives from across the community ahead of next year's awards, taking on board the learnings from this year.' The Polari prize was founded by journalist Paul Burston in 2011. The longlists for this year's prize were published on August 1st, with the shortlists due to be announced in late September and the winners on November 27th. The statement in response, which garnered 821 signatures, was organised by the writers Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Emma van Straaten. 'We want there to be a literary prize that recognises the vital importance of queer and trans stories,' it concludes. 'That's why we're calling on the Polari prize to formally remove Mr Boyne from the longlist, to restore the integrity of this prize as a safe, inclusive and celebratory space for the LGBTQ+ community.' Other signatories include the writers Nussaibah Younis, Poorna Bell, Daisy Buchanan, K Patrick and Lex Croucher. – Guardian
The Guardian
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Polari prize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views
Ten authors nominated for this year's Polari prizes, a set of UK awards celebrating LGBTQ+ literature, have withdrawn from the awards over the longlisting of John Boyne, who has described himself as a 'Terf' – the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Two judges have also withdrawn from the prize process, and more than 800 writers and publishing industry workers have signed a statement calling on Polari to formally remove Boyne from the longlist. Boyne, who was longlisted for the main Polari book prize for his novella Earth, is best known for his 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Author Nicola Dinan, who won the Polari first book prize last year for her novel Bellies, resigned from this year's jury for the debut prize. Guardian journalist Jason Okundaye asked for his book Revolutionary Acts to be removed from this year's first book prize longlist, while Andrew McMillan withdrew his book Pity from the longlist for the overall Polari book prize for non-debuts. Heartstopper author Alice Oseman along with the writers Nikesh Shukla, Julia Armfield, Naoise Dolan, Seán Hewitt and Kirsty Logan are among the hundreds to have signed the statement. 'We are profoundly disappointed by the Polari prize's decision to include John Boyne on the longlist for this year's Polari book prize,' it reads. Boyne 'has publicly and unequivocally associated himself with trans exclusionary sentiments', it continues, citing an Irish Independent article in which Boyne expresses support for JK Rowling and describes himself as a 'fellow Terf'. Boyne declined to comment. Boyne's 'public statements on trans rights and identity are incompatible with the LGBTQ+ community's most basic standards of inclusion', the statement continues. 'In any year, the decision to include Mr Boyne on the longlist would be, in our view, inappropriate and hurtful to the wider community of LGBTQ+ readers and writers. That the decision has been made this year – in the context of rising anti-trans hatred and systematic exclusion of trans people from public life in the UK and across the world – is inexcusable.' Today's statement was drafted in response to one made by the Polari prize on 7 August. 'It is inevitable given the challenges we face and the diversity of the lived experience we now represent under the LGBTQ+ Polari umbrella, that even within our community, we can at times hold radically different positions on substantive issues,' it says. 'This is one of those times.' In a statement to the Guardian on Monday, the Polari prize added that the 'past few weeks have been extremely difficult for the trans and non-binary writers and communities' associated with the award. 'The hurt and anger caused has been a matter of deep concern to everyone associated with the prize, for which we sincerely apologise. We accept and respect the decisions of those writers and judges who have chosen to withdraw.' 'Despite these events, we are committed to going forward with the prize this year. However, we will be undertaking a full review of the prize processes, consulting representatives from across the community ahead of next year's awards, taking on board the learnings from this year.' The Polari prize was founded by journalist Paul Burston in 2011. The longlists for this year's prize were published on 1 August, with the shortlists due to be announced in late September and the winners on 27 November. The statement in response, which garnered 821 signatures, was organised by the writers Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Emma van Straaten. 'We want there to be a literary prize that recognises the vital importance of queer and trans stories,' it concludes. 'That's why we're calling on the Polari prize to formally remove Mr Boyne from the longlist, to restore the integrity of this prize as a safe, inclusive and celebratory space for the LGBTQ+ community.' Other signatories include the writers Nussaibah Younis, Poorna Bell, Daisy Buchanan, K Patrick and Lex Croucher.
Geek Girl Authority
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on May 27
There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week I have 10 great new books to share with you, including plenty of romances to kick off your summer. Read on! Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan At thirty, Max is tired: of dysphoria, of bad exes, of the nagging sense that life should feel better by now. After a dramatic fall at a New Year's Eve party, she resolves to try something new: heteronormative romance. Enter Vincent. His affection offers Max a glimpse of the stability she's always thought out of reach. But Vincent has unresolved history of his own, and as old wounds resurface, Max is forced to confront what forgiveness truly requires. Can she make peace with her past, and with his? Disappoint Me is a funny, sharp and emotionally resonant novel that explores love, loss, identity and the tangled webs of millennial life. Through dual perspectives, Nicola Dinan delves into the complexities of race, gender and family, examining what it means to confront the painful mistakes of those closest to us. RELATED: New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out On May 20 The Bombshell by Darrow Farr A politician's daughter, 17-year-old Severine Guimard is bold, beautiful and craving stardom. Her moment in the spotlight comes when she's kidnapped by a group of bumbling militants fighting for Corsican independence. As ransom negotiations stall, Severine begins charming her captors, immersing herself in their radical politics and transforming from hostage to figurehead of a revolution. Youthful passion, political awakening and first love abound in Darrow Farr's debut novel. Taking place over the course of one Mediterranean summer, The Bombshell is a glamorous literary achievement. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood 23-year-old Maya Killgore can't stop thinking about Conor Harkness, her older brother's best friend and a man 15 years her senior. Things come to a head when they're thrown together for a weeklong wedding in Taormina. Tension simmers between ancient ruins, breathtaking coastlines and chaotic family drama. Despite every reason not to pursue him, Maya senses Conor might be hiding something. A summer fling, however complicated, might be worth the risk. It wouldn't be summer without a new Ali Hazelwood. Problematic Summer Romance features enemies-to-lovers, an age gap, forced proximity and plenty of other tropes that fans will love. RELATED: Book Review: Behooved When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur When Dawson Sumter disappears in Carrion, Georgia, all that's left behind is blood in the motel Neera Singh's parents own. Disappearances like this are common, especially every 13 years when the cicadas return. Neera, determined to find Dawson, teams up with three other teens to investigate. As they uncover secrets, they discover the town's wealth may be tied to an ancient legend of three devils. Together, they must uncover the truth and escape the town's dark grip. When Devils Sing is an atmospheric horror novel set in a haunting, rural Georgia landscape. Fans of She Is a Haunting, Mexican Gothic and Midsommar will love Xan Kaur's debut. Love in Focus by Lyla Lee When her seven-year relationship ends, jaded advice columnist Gemma Cho is ready to give up on love. She dives into her work, where she's assigned a high-profile piece on modern romance with world-renowned photographer Celeste Min. The catch? Celeste is Gemma's college ex, the one who broke her heart and vanished overseas. As the two navigate old wounds, undeniable chemistry and a story that could revive Gemma's career, they must decide if love deserves a second shot, or if some heartbreaks are better left in the past. Lyla Lee's new book release is also her adult fiction debut! Love in Focus is a charming second chance romance perfect for fans of The Bold Type and Delilah Green Doesn't Care . RELATED: 10 Books With Queer Protagonists to Read All Year Round Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim Every generation, the Major Gods host a Celestial Banquet, where chefs compete for the Peaches of Immortality. Hot-headed noodle chef Cai enters the competition with dreams of opening a restaurant and supporting her struggling town. With the help of a drunken Minor God, her childhood friend Bo and noble Seon, Cai faces impossible culinary challenges, from hunting sea serpents to cooking with mystical ingredients. As Cai navigates fierce competition and complicated feelings, she is determined to create a feast worthy of the gods. Even if it means risking her life. The publisher describes Celestial Banquet as ' Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games ' and I absolutely love it. Roselle Lim's new book release combines cooking competitions with literal gods in what promises to be a super fun way. Amplitudes edited by Lee Mandelo Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity is a bold and imaginative sci-fi anthology exploring what queer life could look like, whether centuries ahead or just around the corner. From dystopian knights and Appalachian romance to skyscraper domesticity and galactic dance floors, these inventive tales blend raw emotion, protest, and play. Featuring never-before-published stories from acclaimed and emerging LGBTQIA+ voices, this collection is a celebration of queer resilience, creativity and possibility. RELATED: 6 More Trans and Nonbinary Writers to Check Out Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi A veteran and weary private eye, Bouba wants nothing more than to keep his head down in a city veiled in dust and tension. But when a bleeding woman appears on his doorstep and vanishes just as quickly, he falls into a dangerous mystery suspended between two cultures. As unrest simmers between the French occupiers and the long-oppressed dugulen, Bouba must confront buried truths, ancestral powers, and a city teetering on the edge of chaos. Navigating hidden factions, colonial violence, and ghosts of his own past, he's forced to decide where he stands, and how much of himself he's willing to give up for justice. Harmattan Season is a gritty, genre-bending mystery of identity, legacy and power in a world where nothing stays buried for long. Drawing from the tradition of Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie, Tochi Onyebuchi's standalone novel is a gripping fantasy noir. And They Were Roommates by Page Powars Starting fresh at an elite all-boys school, Charlie's goal is simple: keep his head down, guard his secret, and make it through the year as the academy's only trans student. His plan falls apart, however, when his assigned roommate is Jasper Grimes, the boy who unknowingly broke his heart pre-transition. Jasper doesn't recognize him, and Charlie agrees to ghostwrite love letters to earn a private room. But as late-night talks turn into something deeper, Charlie must decide if he should protect his secret, or risk his heart for a second chance at love. Utterly unrealistic and yet still incredibly charming, And They Were Roommates is a fun, silly YA romance. Page Powars' new book release will delight fans of Casey McQuiston and Lex Croucher. RELATED: Book Review: Gwen and Art Are Not In Love The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell Maggie Fishbone doesn't expect much when she's sent to the Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways, and Wayward Girls, a last resort after causing too much trouble at her last orphanage. But the Institute isn't dreadful at all. Instead, it's full of curious girls training to solve mysteries and fight bad guys. Between fencing lessons and exploring, Maggie makes friends and finally feels at home. When a woman goes missing, Maggie embarks on her first assignment, uncovering the city's hidden secrets. Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Mysterious Benedict Society will love The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls . Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations and 'Useful Things Every Girl Should Know' this is a whimsical, adventure-packed mystery from bestselling author-illustrator Judith Rossell. You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What May 27 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. 12 Debut Books Releasing In 2025 You Have to Check Out
