Toronto (October 13, 2004) - Amazon.ca and Books in Canada today presented the 2003 First Novel Award and a cheque for $7,500 to Michel Basilières, author of Black Bird, at a ceremony held at the BookTelevision studio in Toronto. Basilières was selected to receive the award from a group of six finalists, all of whom had their first novels published in the year 2003.

The First Novel Award recognizes outstanding achievement by first-time Canadian novelists and has served as a springboard for the careers of many of Canada's most renowned authors. Mary Lawson won the 2002 award for her first novel, Crow Lake. Other previous winners include Michael Ondaatje, Rohinton Mistry, Joan Barfoot, Joy Kogawa, Wayne Johnston, Nino Ricci and Deborah Joy Corey.

A Montreal native, Basilières currently resides in Toronto where he is writing his second novel. Black Bird, his captivating debut novel, is set in 1970 Montreal leading up to and during the October Crisis. The book boldly and harshly depicts Quebec's peoples and politics through the bizarre and often humourous adventures of the eccentric Desouche family, which is entangled with everything from terrorism to grave robbing. Black Bird is a striking Canadian literary work, published by Knopf Canada and available at Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca).

Joining Basilières as 2003 First Novel Award finalists were Clayton Bailey for The Expedition (Great Plains); John Bemrose for The Island Walkers (McClelland & Stewart); Lisa Grekul for Kalyna's Song (Coteau Books); Edeet Ravel for Ten Thousand Lovers (McArthur & Co.); and Bettina von Kampen for Blue Becomes You (Great Plains). All six finalists were presented with Amazon.ca gift certificates in the amount of $750 at the event, which was hosted by BookTelevison's Daniel Richler.

W.P. Kinsella, the 1982 First Novel Award winner for his book Shoeless Joe, once again served as preliminary judge for the award, selecting the six finalists. Also serving as judges for the 2003 First Novel Award were George Fetherling, a Vancouver-based poet, critic and fiction and travel writer whose contributions to Books in Canada go back a generation to the magazine's first issue; Clara Thomas, York University Libraries Canadian Studies research fellow and professor emerita who is also a widely published author and reviewer; and poet, anthologist, literary historian and literary impresario Greg Gatenby, among whose career achievements are receiving the City of Toronto Literary Award and being named to the Order of Canada, the highest honour that can be conferred on a Canadian civilian.

"Amazon.ca would like to thank and congratulate all of the talented novelists who participated in the 2003 First Novel Award process," said Greg Greeley, vice president, Amazon.ca. "We continue to be inspired by the many emerging authors who embody Canada's rich and long-standing literary history, and Amazon.ca remains committed to providing a platform through which literary fans everywhere can discover their work."

Books in Canada will be accepting submissions for the 2004 First Novel Award until December 31, 2004.

About Books in Canada
Books in Canada was launched in 1971 to promote Canadian literature and offer a forum for Canadian writers. Over the course of the last 33 years, Books in Canada has played a significant role in developing an independent and rich Canadian literary life. The Books in Canada print archive of reviews, profiles, essays, interviews, features, photographs and caricatures represents the largest extant collection of such material on Canadian fiction. The publication has acted as both a beacon for Canada's emerging literary life and an organizing focus of intellectual talent. With the growing maturity and sophistication of the Canadian literary and intellectual scene, Books in Canada is refashioning itself to reach a larger audience of literate Canadians and to disseminate Canadian literature to an international audience. The challenge faced by Books in Canada is to juxtapose the best Canadian writers with the best writers around the world. Its vision is to boldly promote Canada as a rich, multicultural, open and prosperous society that can act as a model for countries and different people around the world.

About Amazon.ca
Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) is part of the global family of Amazon Web sites that have become known for great prices, selection and convenience. Amazon.ca customers can find and discover millions of English and French books, CDs, videos and DVDs as well as a vast array of software, video games and consoles - all at everyday low prices. Amazon.ca also offers FREE Super Saver Shipping, available on orders of $39 or more delivered to the same Canadian address. Amazon.ca sources products directly from Canadian publishers and distributors, ensuring a rich offering of Canadian titles and content. Features such as original editorial reviews in English and French and product recommendations help Amazon.ca customers find the right products for them among the site's broad selection. Through Amazon Marketplace, Amazon.ca customers can conveniently buy and sell used, new and collectible merchandise on the same pages where Amazon.ca sells those items new.

To ensure all orders are delivered to customers quickly and efficiently, Amazon.ca works with Canada Post, one of the world's most progressive postal companies. Orders placed at Amazon.ca are fulfilled and shipped from within Canada by Assured Logistics, a part of the Canada Post Group of Companies.

Amazon.ca is the trading name of Amazon.com.ca Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com Inc.

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