The 100 semifinalists were announced by Amazon.com and Penguin Group in the second-annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. The panel of judges will name three finalists on May 15, 2009, and Amazon readers will pick the final winner.

According to the release, the semifinalists represent 94 cities, 33 U.S. states and seven countries. Four authors came from New York City and one hailed from Duncraig, Western Australia.

Here’s more from the release: “Once Penguin selects the three finalists, a panel of esteemed publishing professionals–including bestselling authors Sue Grafton and Sue Monk Kidd, literary agent Barney Karpfinger and Penguin Press Editor-in-Chief Eamon Dolan–will read and post their critiques of the top three manuscripts on Friday, May 15, [here].” (Via.)