Back in October, we announced our transition from an arts & literary journal to Amsterdam’s international small press publisher and launched the inaugural Amsterdam Open Book Prize contest.

Versal is thrilled to announce our shortlist and congratulate the following writers and artists! The finalist and runner up for the prize will be announced at the end of February.

Steven Alvarez, yr | polis

Sayuri Ayers, Beast Mother

Ufuk Baris Mutlu, Axe, scissors, hammer

Clementine Burnley, Women Outside

Tanatsei Gambura, Things I Have Forgotten Before

Fee Griffin, For Work/For TV

Kim Hannah, The Lines

Maya Jewell Zeller, A Few Nondescript Adventures of Some Consequence

Tony Mancus, Same After Life

Abby Minor, Veil/Reveil

Raegen Pietrucha, Head of a Gorgon

Sal Randolph, Lemon Dazzling Yoke

Judith Skillman, Time As Infection

B.P. Sutton, [monument]

Adrienne Walser, Entertainer of the Year Runner-Up

Haolun Xu, Five Memories of a Beijing Winter

Special thanks to Steven Baguley, Jennifer Dick, and Jane Lewty who generously lent their time and energy to help us during our reading period.