New York Mercantile Library

40°45′22.93″N 73°58′38.23″W / 40.7563694°N 73.9772861°W / 40.7563694; -73.9772861

The Center for Fiction, originally called the New York Mercantile Library, is a not-for-profit organization in New York City, with offices at 15 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Prior to their move in early 2018, The Center for Fiction was located at 17 East 47th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues in Midtown Manhattan. The center works to promote fiction and literature and to give support to writers. It originated in 1820 as the (New York) Mercantile Library and in 2005 changed its name to the Mercantile Library Center for Fiction,^[1] although it presents itself as simply "The Center for Fiction".

The center, which is one of 17 remaining membership libraries in the United States, three of which are in New York City,^[2] maintains a large circulating library of 20th and 21st century fiction, in addition to many stored volumes of 19th century fiction. It also stocks non-fiction volumes on subjects related to literature.^[3] It maintains a Reading Room, operates a curated independent bookstore primarily featuring works of fiction, rents space to writers at low cost, and presents literary programs to the public.^[4] The organization also awards the annual Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

Center for Fiction, 2005–present[edit]

Since 2005 known as The Center for Fiction,^[1] the organization presents a diverse program of free or low-cost public events, featuring over 100 authors, translators, and critics each year. The Center also offers reading groups and writing workshops.

In May 2018, the organization announced that it would be moving its headquarters to a new building in Downtown Brooklyn called Caesura and designed by Dattner Architects, a 17,500-square-foot (1,630 m²) The space includes a member library with a Members Lounge and Reading Room, classrooms, a writers studio, an auditorium for 160 people, a bookstore and a cafe/bar. The Center is a home for readers and writers that serves as a gathering place for the literary community. The three-story building will be co-owned with the Mark Morris Dance Group and a real estate company, which will have their own spaces there. The Center for Fiction was designed by Julie Nelson, Partner at BKSK Architects LLP and opened in 2019.^[21]

The is awarded to the best debut novel of the year. First awarded in 2006, the winner receives $15,000 with each shortlisted author receiving $1,000.

First Novel Prize

The Center for Fiction Medal of Editorial Excellence honors the work of an editor, publisher, or agent who over the course of his or her career has discovered, nurtured and championed writers of fiction in the United States.

The Center for Fiction Lifetime of Excellence in Fiction Award honors a writer who, through their exceptional body of work, has significantly shaped our culture and perspective. The award is not given annually; rather, it is bestowed upon an author at the discretion of The Center for Fiction Board of Directors. Winners have included Wole Soyinka (2022), Kazuo Ishiguro (2021), and Toni Morrison (2018).

The Center for Fiction On Screen Award recognizes adaptations of works of fiction for film or television and is awarded to both the creators of the adaptation and the author of the original work.

The Center for Fiction bestows a number of awards annually:

Additionally, The Center for Fiction/Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships grant 9 New York City early-career writers with a $5,000 stipend, editorial mentorship and networking opportunities with publishing professionals, membership to The Center's Writers Studio, two public readings, publication in an anthology, and more over the course of a year.

Mercantile Library (disambiguation)

Mercantile Library Association (Boston, Massachusetts)

New York Public Library

Astor Library Building

and Wallace, Mike (1999). Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-195-11634-8.

Burrows, Edwin G.

Pascu, Elaine Weber. "Mercantile Library Association" in , ed. (1995). The Encyclopedia of New York City. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300055366., p. 750–751