Joseph Earl Thomas was awarded the 2024 First Novel Prize for GOD BLESS YOU OTIS SPUNKMEYER at The Center for Fiction Annual Awards Benefit on December 10. The awarded is annually presented to the best debut novel of the year, with a $15,000 prize “in recognition of their contribution to the contemporary literary canon and in support of their ongoing creative career.” The book was selected by a panel of distinguished writers, including Merve Emre, Raven Leilani, Jonathan Lethem, and Tyriek White. Grand Central Publishing published the novel on June 18, 2024.