The joyful sense of discovery derived from reading the work of a first-time author—both the excitement of encountering a voice for the first time and the promise of more great work to come—cannot be underestimated. Below, PW looks at 10 of this season's promising fictional debuts, each with the potential to thrill.

First Fiction Spring 2011: Paul Elwork: Spooky Story

First Fiction Spring 2011: Eleanor Henderson: Angry Young Men

First Fiction Spring 2011: Stephen Kelman: Curious Young Men

First Fiction Spring 2011: Jenny Wingfield: From Screen to Page

First Fiction Spring 2011: Laura Harrington: From Stage to Page

First Fiction Spring 2011: Cara Hoffman: A Journalist Turns to Fiction

First Fiction Spring 2011: Paul McEuen: Science and Fiction

First Fiction Spring 2011: Taylor Stevens: Back into Africa

First Fiction Spring 2011: Manuel Muñoz: Not Scared of the Dark

First Fiction Spring 2011: Alan Heathcock: Electric Stories