Jasmaine Payne wins Best First Book of Fiction with ‘LEECH’
August 7 2026
Winning Guyana’s top literary award with a debut novel is a remarkable achievement. For the author of LEECH, the recognition is both a personal milestone and a powerful affirmation of the decision to embrace genre fiction.
From the surprise of the win to the challenges of bringing a deeply personal story to life, the author reflects on the journey, the people who supported it and what comes next.
Question:
1. You have won Guyana’s top literary award with you very first novel. What does this win mean to you, particularly with a genre novel with a character that is so close to your heart?
Answer:
“I call myself a “rookie author” because really I am young at novel writing. So us “rookies” never expect to make a big splash. So, here it is my story making one of the biggest splashes any book in a writer’s career can make- a national award- and on my first try, it really makes you look at the work and say “wow, you did extremely well and your country has acknowledged you for it”. It is such an honour and i am immensely grateful!”
Question:
2. Were you surprised, even though you had put so much work into this novel?
Answer:
“Absolutely. I certainly did not approach the story thinking “Oh yeah this is an award-winner!” I was terrified and I also knew that deliberately staying in the genre fiction lane was naturally setting me up for questions. And while some of those questions like why I didn’t centre the story in a Guyanese setting or why I chose gothic rather than Caribbean/Guyanese themes still come my way from time to time, the general reception was so positive that it increased my confidence over time. So when I heard that I won for Best First Book of Fiction, it really felt like my work had paid off because I certainly did not approach the novel writing task lightly. It was so much work and it feels good that that work was recognised.”
Question:
3. How much more will this motivate you? Is there anything you would like to tell struggling writers?
Answer:
“This will definitely keep me going. I mean, naturally I am always so invigorated to write, even if I struggle sometimes or life gets in the way. But this sets the bar that something is out there for me to pursue or achieve and that something is right at home. To struggling writers: community is important. My difficulties with writing over the years really have been addressed the moment I aligned myself with like-minded writers and invested in the tools and resources that could sharpen my craft. Never stop improving yourself, never stop writing and stay close to a community: build it if you have to. Your stories will thank you for it.”
Question:
4. Is there anyone you would wish to thank? ( Oscar night question, with a long list of people, including their pets)
Answer:
“My support system has always been my rock: my family, my partner, my son who is walking in my footsteps as a natural storyteller and who inspires me every day, fellow authors Harold Bascom and Michael Jordan who have been in my corner and were helping me to reach to the finish line, everyone who has read LEECH, one of my developmental editors, Stephanie Wilson, my former writing coach the late Jim Parsons, and just everyone who has shared even the slightest interest in LEECH especially people right at home who have embraced this story. I hope I have made everyone proud. Look out for many more stories!”
