Rebecca Perry Wins Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize for Dream-Like 2026

Rebecca Perry has won the 2026 Waterstones debut fiction prize for her novel May We Feed the King, a delicious and dream-like tale that captivated judges and booksellers. The award, voted for by Waterstones booksellers, recognizes the year's outstanding work of debut fiction across all genres. Perry, already an acclaimed poet, brings her lyrical precision to this historical puzzle-box of a story, earning her £5,000 and a promise of ongoing commitment to her writing career.

What Makes 'May We Feed the King' a Prize-Winning Debut?

Set in the present day, the novel follows a curator whose job is to dress rooms in historic houses. The protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with a medieval king whose own story about his reluctance to rule unfolds in parallel. Perry's crisp, cool prose and poet's eye for detail create a richly layered narrative that deliberately wrongfoots the reader at every turn.

Melissa Harrison, in her Guardian review, called it a highly wrought puzzle-box of a book that richly rewards those who approach it with curiosity. Waterstones head of books Bea Carvalho praised Perry's keen sense of humor and her exploration of the slippery nature of memory and the burden of power.

Key Themes in 'May We Feed the King'

• Historical fiction as a genre and how we narrate history
• The capacities of loneliness and imagination
• What happens when a person defies expectations and refuses to step into tyranny
• The burden of power and the weight of memory

Rebecca Perry's Literary Background

Perry, from London, has published two poetry collections, Beauty/Beauty and Stone Fruit, alongside several pamphlets and a work of creative nonfiction, On Trampolining. Her poetry has been shortlisted for the TS Eliot prize, while her debut collection won the Michael Murphy memorial prize. This deep poetic foundation infuses her fiction with a unique rhythm and precision.

Comparison: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize vs. Other Literary Awards

Why This Win Matters for Debut Authors

The Waterstones debut fiction prize offers more than just a cash award. It provides ongoing commitment to the author's career, including promotion across Waterstones stores nationwide. For Perry, this recognition validates her transition from poetry to fiction, proving that her poet's eye for detail translates powerfully into long-form storytelling.

Booksellers praised the novel as a delicious and dream-like tale steeped in curiosity and nostalgia. The story's dual timelines—present-day curator and medieval king—create a rich tapestry that explores how we interpret history and the stories we tell ourselves.

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