TONY HOGAN BOUGHT ME AN ICE CREAM FLOAT BEFORE HE STOLE MY MA by Kerry Hudson has been chosen as one of twelve longlist titles for the Author Club's esteemed Best First Novel Award. The annual prize was first awarded in 1954, and has since been won by acclaimed writers such as Brian Moore and Paul Bailey. The full shortlist of six will be revealed week beginning 29 April with the winner announced at a National Liberal Club drinks reception on 3 June. For more information, please click here.

TONY HOGAN... was published in July 2012 by Chatto & Windus, and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and Scottish First Book of the Year. Kerry's second novel THIRST will be published by Chatto. Kerry is part of the judging panel for the Green Carnation Prize 2013.

Praise for TONY HOGAN...:

'What a brilliant thing to turn the chaos and trauma of a hectic childhood into a debut novel as colourful, funny, joyful and compelling as this.' -- The Guardian

'This is a remarkable debut novel of love and loyalty, of fierce passion and scabrous wit.' -- Foyles

'From the (unrepeatable) hilarious first sentence, this debut sucks you in with its idiosyncratic style... Kerry Hudson's writing is very funny, and her deft touches give the book a reality that makes it all the more powerful. Hudson certainly has a bright future.' -- We Love This Book