Autumn's Literary Prizes Narrow Their Lists, and One Name Disappears From All of Them

The Académie Goncourt unveiled its second selection on Tuesday, narrowing the race to eight novels for its 124th edition, according to Livres Hebdo and Télérama. Among the writers retained are Sonia Devillers, Philippe Jaenada and Yannick Haenel, per Télérama. The winner will be announced on November 3 at the traditional ceremony at Drouant in Paris.

Notably absent from the Goncourt list is Thélyson Orélien, who had already been struck from consideration after being accused of using artificial intelligence to write his book, according to Bibliobs (Le Nouvel Obs). The other major prizes appear to have followed the Goncourt's lead: Bibliobs reports that the other juries aligned themselves with this decision, meaning Orélien has effectively been removed from the season's prize race entirely.

The Femina prize also published its second selection on Tuesday, according to Livres Hebdo. This year's winners will succeed Nathacha Appanah, Marc Weitzmann and John Boyne, who took the prize's categories last year. The Femina laureates will be named on November 4.

The prix Décembre's jury has narrowed its own race to three titles for its second selection, Livres Hebdo reports. The winning book will be announced on October 27 at the restaurant Prunier.

Separately, the prix de la Porte Dorée revealed its 2026 selections on Tuesday: six works in the literature category and eight in bande dessinée, chosen by the prize's reading committee, according to Livres Hebdo. The laureates will be announced on November 25 at the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris.