On Monday January 19th, the prize-giving ceremony for the 2025 First Graphic Novel Award is taking place at Waterstones Piccadilly in Central London. Hosted by Alex Fitch, the ceremony is the culmination of last year’s search for a brilliant new graphic novel in progress by an unpublished talent; judges slimmed the 100+ entries down to a longlist of 30, and to a shortlist of six, with the winning entry to be announced at the end of the ceremony.

Judges for the 2025 award include award-winning illustrator and author Shazleen Khan, award-winning graphic novelist Oscar Zarate, contemporary artist Janette Parris, Creative Director at Positive Negatives Karrie Fransman, and graphic novel publisher Emma Hayley, and they will be in attendance at Waterstones alongwith the shortlisted creators, and special guests.

The lucky winner will receive a publishing contract from independent comics publisher SelfMadeHero, and a £500 cash prize sponsored by The bks Agency. The 2023 winner Alex Taylor received the same, with winning graphic novel Bone Broth now available to buy.

Please book tickets if you’d like to watch the ceremony online or come along in person to Waterstones Piccadilly from 6.30pm, Monday 19th January

Listen to podcasts of the 2023 First Graphic Novel Award prize-giving and the preview event for the 2025 award for more info about the recent history of this prize and judging process…