SEATTLE and TORONTO - May 24, 2005 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) and "Books in Canada" today announced the finalists for the 28th annual First Novel Award, an esteemed Canadian literary award that recognizes the outstanding achievement of a first-time novelist.

"The First Novel Award has become synonymous with celebrated Canadian authors and excellent works," said Sarah Jane Gunter, manager, Amazon.ca. "Amazon.ca has had the pleasure of supporting the award for the past five years, and we find it truly rewarding to help introduce these budding novelists to Canadians and see their subsequent successes."

The five nominees for the 2004 First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:

 

  • "Sunday Afternoon," by David Elias, Coteau Books (author lives in Manitoba)
  • "Skinny," by Ibi Kaslik, HarperCollins Publishers (author lives in Montreal)
  • "Some Great Thing," by Colin McAdam, Raincoast Books (author lives in Montreal)
  • "What's Remembered," by Arthur Motyer, Cormorant Books (author lives in New Brunswick)
  • "Bishop's Road," by Catherine Safer, Killick Press (author lives in Nova Scotia)


 

The winner of the 2004 First Novel Award, to be announced later this year, will receive $7,500, the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All nominees will receive a $750 gift certificate for redemption on the Amazon.ca Web site.

Award-winning author W.P. Kinsella has once again drawn up the shortlist. Kinsella is a renowned Canadian writer with more than 30 books to his credit.

"W.P. Kinsella has been reading, assessing and shortlisting the best of each year's crop of first-time novelists since 2001; this award owes its continuing success to his patient efforts and enthusiasm for finding and singling out new talent," said Olga Stein, editor of "Books in Canada." "The First Novel Award's niche, the targeted recognition of fledgling novelists, lends it enormous importance because the award marshals attention to authors not yet well known."

Since 1976, the First Novel Award has launched the careers of some of Canada's most prominent novelists. 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), Mary Lawson (2002) and Michel Basilières (2003), have become bestselling authors in Canada and around the world.

More information about the 2004 First Novel Award shortlist can be found in the May 2005 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