Here's the 2020 Joyce Carol Oates Prize shortlist

The shortlist for the 2020 Joyce Carol Oates Prize was announced yesterday in a private ceremony.

The $50,000 prize, sponsored by the Simpson Literary Project, honors a distinguished midcareer author of fiction.

A winner is expected later this month.

The contenders:

• Chris Bachelder, author of The Throwback Special.

• Maria Dahvana Headley, author of The Mere Wife.

• Rebecca Makkai, author of The Great Believers.

• Daniel Mason, author of The Winter Soldier.

• Peter Orner, author of Maggie Brown & Others: Stories.

• Dexter Palmer, author of Mary Toft; or The Rabbit Queen.

• Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here. 

Read more about the Joyce Carol Oates Prize and its winner's duties on the award website.