For fans of Yellowface—a darkly funny, propulsive insider thriller set in the world of Japanese publishing

The Naoki Prize is Japan’s most prestigious award for popular fiction—and for bestselling author Cain Amou, it is the one honor that has always remained just out of reach. She first rose to fame with a newcomer award in light novels, then claimed the Bookstore Award with her debut mainstream work only three years later. With a steady stream of bestsellers and numerous screen adaptations, her popularity seemed unassailable. Yet repeated Naoki Prize nominations brought only stinging critiques.

Her estranged husband belittles her success, editors insist her writing lacks “love,” and doubt begins to seep beneath her confidence. If her work is truly extraordinary, what is it that she is missing?

PRIZE is a cozy bookish thriller that will make you gasp and giggle all at once—high-stakes book signings, armies of fans, editors who must fulfill their authors’ expectations of success, and a writer’s dreams of glory turning savage.