Engine Books is thrilled to announce its inaugural Novel Prize. The winner will receive a $1,000 advance and publication by Engine Books in 2013. Four additional finalists will also be considered for publication. Any previously unpublished novel is eligible for entry.

The 2012 Engine Books Novel Prize will be judged by novelist Will Allison. Engine Books is a big fan of Will's novels, and in particular of What You Have Left. Every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer and fall, the Indianapolis racetrack described in the book provides the soundtrack for work in the Engine Books office; it's just a mile or so away.

Will Allison was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and now lives with his wife and daughter in South Orange, New Jersey. In between, he's lived in Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and elsewhere; taught creative writing at The Ohio State University, Butler University, and Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis; and worked as executive editor of Story, editor at large of Zoetrope: All-Story, editor of Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, and as a freelance editor and writer. In 2011, he joined the staff of One Story as a contributing editor. He's also been on staff at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley and the One Story Workshop for Writers in Brooklyn. He received a B.A. in English and political science from Case Western Reserve University as well as an M.A. in English and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Ohio State. His first novel, What You Have Left, was published in 2007 by Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Paperback and audio book editions were published in 2008. A paperback reissue came out in April 2011. His second novel, The New York Times bestseller Long Drive Home, was published by Free Press in May 2011; the paperback is forthcoming in February 2012. Learn more about Will's work at willallison.com.

Novel prize submissions are closed for 2012. We do expect to hold the contest again in 2013.