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Self-published title The Sitar by Rebecca Idris has been shortlisted for the third annual Polari First Book Prize.
The prize, for a first book which explores the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender experience, this year carries prize money of £1,000, courtesy of sponsor Societe Generale UK LGBT Network.
Idris is joined on the five-strong shortlist by two Chatto novels, Tony Hogan Bought Me An Icecream Float Before He Stole my Ma by Kerry Hudson and Jack Wolf's The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones, as well as Mari Hannah's The Murder Wall (Pan Macmillan) and Mark O'Connell's Catching Bullets; Memoirs of a Bond Fan (Splendid).
The judges were writers Paul Burston, Bidisha, Rachel Holmes and V G Lee, as well as literary critic Suzi Feay, and books buyer Joe Storey-Scott.
Feay said: "The judges were delighted to see a growth in submissions this year, particularly from new female authors. From such a strong longlist, it was difficult to narrow down the choices to the final five, but we feel they represent the strongest individual voices with the most engaging tales to tell . . .
"These are books to dazzle, amuse and beguile."
The winner will be announced on 13th November.