July 31, 2015

The Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize aims to recognize “the Brooklyn spirit”

by

A selection of the books longlisted for the inaugural Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize, via the Brooklyn Public Library

A selection of the books longlisted for the inaugural Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize, via the Brooklyn Public Library

The Brooklyn Eagles—a group of young, engaged supporters of the Brooklyn Public Library—have very wisely refrained from too clearly defining “the Brooklyn spirit” in their call for nominations for the inaugural Brooklyn Eagles Literary Prize.

The prize, which in October will be awarded to one fiction author and one non-fiction author with books published between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015, recognizes “the best books of the past year and the authors who most embody Brooklyn’s ideals.”

Nominations “should reflect Brooklyn’s spirit . . . through the author’s past or present residency, by speaking to themes that reflect Brooklyn’s values or portray the borough.”

The New York Times reports:

“If they have a common theme, it might be ‘struggling to make it, or make something for themselves or of themselves,’ said Ashley Mihlebach, the Eagle member overseeing the fiction prize. She admitted that this might not be a unique Brooklyn characteristic. ‘I suppose maybe it’s just New York, and right now, Brooklyn feels like the edgier, you know, more creative—God, everyone else in Manhattan is going to hate me, not to mention the other boroughs,’ she continued, floundering slightly herself.”

It’s broad at best, but the long lists nonetheless contain a terrific selection of books—not surprising, considering the nominees were selected by Brooklyn Eagles, booksellers, and librarians:

Fiction

Non-Fiction

Two committees of librarians will narrow the pool to a short list, announced in August, and the winners will then be selected by a panel of Brooklyn authors, library professionals, and members of the Brooklyn Eagles. Each of the two prize-winners will receive $2,500.

Taylor Sperry is an editor at Melville House.

MobyLives