SEATTLE and TORONTO - April 20, 2004 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) and Books in Canada today announced the finalists for the annual First Novel Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievement of a first-time novelist. The 2003 First Novel Award marks the 27th anniversary of this renowned Canadian literary award.

"Amazon.ca is honoured to support the First Novel Award, which plays an important role in furthering the careers of new Canadian novelists," said Marven Krug, general manager, Amazon.ca. "We look forward to seeing these authors follow in the footsteps of the many past First Novel Award finalists and winners who have since become some of Canada's most notable authors."

The six nominees for the 2003 First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:

 

  • The Expedition by Clayton Bailey, Great Plains (author lives in Montreal)
  • Black Bird by Michel Basilières, Knopf Canada (author lives in Toronto)
  • The Island Walkers by John Bemrose, McClelland & Stewart (author lives in Toronto)
  • Kalyna's Song by Lisa Grekul, Coteau Books (author lives in Vancouver)
  • Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel, McArthur & Company (author lives in Montreal and Israel)
  • Blue Becomes You by Bettina von Kampen, Great Plains (author lives in Toronto)


 

The winner of the 2003 First Novel Award, to be announced later this year, will receive $5,000, the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All nominees will receive a $500 gift certificate for redemption on the Amazon.ca Web site.

W.P. Kinsella, the award-winning author well known for his book Shoeless Joe, has once again drawn up the shortlist. Kinsella is a respected Canadian writer with more than 30 books to his credit.

"Books in Canada is a 35-year-old literary institution dedicated to fostering Canadian literary talent and providing a forum for both established and aspiring Canadian writers," said Olga Stein, editor of Books in Canada. "For 27 years the First Novel Award has helped first-time novelists gain a foothold in the literary community by introducing their novels to Canadians."

Since 1976, the First Novel Award has acted as a launching pad for the careers of some of Canada's most significant writers. Many previous winners, such as Michael Ondaatje (1976), Joan Barfoot (1978), Joy Kogawa (1981), W.P. Kinsella (1982), Nino Ricci (1990), Rohinton Mistry (1991), Shyam Selvadurai (1994), Anne Michaels (1996), Margaret Gibson (1997), Andre Alexis (1998), Alan R. Wilson and David Macfarlane (co-winners, 1999), Eva Stachniak (2000) , Michael Redhill (2001) and Mary Lawson (2002), have become best-selling authors in Canada and around the world.

More information about the 2003 First Novel Award short list can be found in the April/May 2004 issue of Books in Canada, or at www.amazon.ca.

About Books in Canada

Books in Canada was launched in 1971 to promote Canadian literature and to offer a forum for Canadian writers. Over the past 30 years, Books in Canada has played a significant role in fostering and developing an independent Canadian literary life. The publication acts as an organizing locus of intellectual talent. With the growing maturity and sophistication of the Canadian literary and intellectual scene, Books in Canada is working to reach a larger international audience. Books in Canada's larger vision is to promote Canada as a rich, multicultural, open and prosperous society that can be a model for countries and different peoples 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.

For more information please contact:
Kristin Mariani, Amazon.ca Media Relations, 206.266.7180