Anna Dempsey Wins First Hilary Mantel Prize for Unpublished Novel
The inaugural Hilary Mantel Prize has been awarded to Anna Dempsey for her unpublished novel 'This Is About an Alligator and Nothing Else.' Dempsey, a writer and educator originally from Florida who now lives in London, received the honor. The prize was established to commemorate the legacy of the late Booker Prize-winning author Hilary Mantel and to assist emerging writers in the UK and Ireland who have not yet secured publication or representation. The award was announced in March 2026.
Key facts
- The Hilary Mantel Prize is a new literary award
- Anna Dempsey is the first recipient
- Dempsey won for her unpublished novel 'This Is About an Alligator and Nothing Else'
- The prize honors the legacy of author Hilary Mantel
- The award supports unpublished and un-agented writers in the UK and Ireland
Entities
Artists
- Anna Dempsey
- Hilary Mantel
Locations
- London
- Florida
- UK
- Ireland