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 booksellers and critics alike. The award, voted for by Waterstones booksellers, recognizes the year's outstanding work of debut fiction across all genres. Perry, already an acclaimed poet, takes home £5,000 and a promise of ongoing commitment to her writing career.
About the Winning Novel
May We Feed the King follows a present-day curator whose job is to dress rooms in historic houses. The curator becomes increasingly obsessed with a medieval king whose own story about his reluctance to rule unfolds in parallel. Melissa Harrison, writing in The Guardian, called it a highly wrought puzzle-box of a book which deliberately wrongfoots the reader at every turn and richly rewards those who approach it with curiosity.
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Why It Won
Waterstones head of books Bea Carvalho praised Perry's crisp, cool prose and described the novel as a delicious and dream-like tale steeped in curiosity and nostalgia. With a poet's eye for detail and a keen sense of humor, Perry grapples with the slippery nature of memory and the burden of power. Carvalho added that Rebecca Perry is an author to be seriously excited about.
Key Highlights from the Prize
- Prize amount: £5,000 plus ongoing career support
- Shortlist: Six novels competed for the top honor
- Judging: Voted by Waterstones booksellers nationwide
- Genre: Debut fiction across all genres
Comparison of Recent Waterstones Debut Prize Winners
| Year | Winner | Novel |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rebecca Perry | May We Feed the King |
| 2025 | Previous Winner | Previous Novel |
| 2024 | Earlier Winner | Earlier Novel |
Perry's Background
Rebecca 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.
Exploring Historical Fiction
Writing May We Feed the King, Perry wanted to explore historical fiction as a genre and how we narrate history, as well as the capacities of loneliness and imagination. Ultimately, the novel examines what happens when a person defies what is expected of them, refusing to step into the tyranny of expectation.
FAQ
What is the Waterstones debut fiction prize?
The Waterstones debut fiction prize is an annual award voted on by Waterstones booksellers, recognizing the year's outstanding debut novel across all genres. Winners receive £5,000 and career support.
Who is Rebecca Perry?
Rebecca Perry is a London-based author and poet known for collections like Beauty/Beauty and Stone Fruit. She has been shortlisted for the TS Eliot prize and won the Michael Murphy memorial prize.
What is May We Feed the King about?
The novel follows a curator who dresses historic house rooms and becomes obsessed with a medieval king's story. It explores memory, power, and historical fiction.
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