St Andrews author’s debut book shortlisted for Waterstones’ award

Josie Ferguson is in the running to land the acclaimed award next month. She is on the third third annual shortlist for the prize for debut fiction of all forms, which is voted for by Waterstones booksellers. It is open to all debut fiction, including genre fiction, such as crime, sci-fi and fantasy and fiction in translation.

Waterstones booksellers have always played a vital part in putting inspiring new voices into readers’ hands, helping to create debut bestsellers, and the Debut Fiction Prize is an extension of this mighty word-of-mouth recommendation. Last year’s winner, In Memoriam by Alice Winn, became the bestselling debut of 2023 after announcement.

Josie’s book, The Silence In Between is among the six nominees. Set in Cold War Berlin, this is a quietly powerful novel about lives altered by seismic historical moment.

Josie was born in Sweden to a family of writers and readers and moved to Scotland when she was aged two. She lived in St Andrews until she returned to Sweden in her twenties, where she completed a vocational degree in Clinical Psychology (MSc). Upon graduating, she moved to London to pursue a career in publishing, and currently works as a freelance book editor in Singapore. The Silence in Between is her debut.

She said: “To be nominated by Waterstones' booksellers – the most passionate and inspiring readers whom I always rely on for the best recommendations – feels life-changing. I am so honoured and grateful; this nomination means the world to me.”

The Silence In Between is a sweeping historical novel set in Cold War Berlin and chronicles the story of a mother separated from her baby boy, and the daughter who years later tries to reunite the family. Josie Ferguson’s debut is a quietly powerful study of trauma and hope and an utterly compelling historical fiction.

The winner will be announced at an evening ceremony on Thursday, July 25 and will receive a prize of £5,000 and the backing of all Waterstones shops and the company’s website.