2025 Finalists
September 22, 2025, Hartford, CT — The Mark Twain House & Museum is proud to announce the four finalists for the 2025 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, a national honor recognizing a contemporary novel that embodies the spirit of Mark Twain.
The four outstanding finalists are:
Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen — A gripping account of two brothers attempting to become the first Black American men to climb Mount Everest, and of the trip’s shattering aftermath.
The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck — A collection of elegant and intricately interconnected stories set in New England, exploring personal relationships and destinies across many decades.
Out of the Rain by J. Malcolm Garcia — A gritty journalistic novel set in San Francisco, portraying the lives of homeless people and the social-service employees who serve them.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe — An uproarious yet poignant comedy about a young single mom finding creative ways to stay afloat in Southern California.
“What strikes me about this list, in addition to its high quality, is its spectacular diversity—in the authors, yes, but also in the kinds of fiction and the qualities of writing represented,” said Rand Richards Cooper, critic, writer, and Chair of the Twain Award judging panel. “The four personalities in this finalist list could hardly be more distinct, each from the others. That’s exciting to me as a writer and critic.”
“This award celebrates fiction that embodies the American voice, much as Twain did in his own time,” said Jeffrey L. Nichols, Executive Director of The Mark Twain House & Museum. “This year’s finalists showcase the richness and range of that voice today.”
The winner of the 2025 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award will be announced in two weeks at The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford. On Friday, November 7, the award will be presented by the prize’s benefactor, bestselling author and trustee of The Mark Twain House & Museum, David Baldacci, with excerpts of the winning book read by the author.
About the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award
The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award honors a contemporary work of fiction that captures a distinctively American voice and tells a uniquely American story. Established by The Mark Twain House & Museum and novelist David Baldacci, the award recognizes authors whose work reflects Mark Twain’s legacy of humor, narrative innovation, and critical social insight. For more information, please visit marktwainaward.org.
