TORONTO - June 20, 2006 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) and "Books in Canada" today announced the finalists for the 29th annual First Novel Award, a prestigious Canadian literary award that recognizes the outstanding achievement of a first-time novelist.
"The First Novel Award has become an integral part of Canadian literature," said Patrick Bowman, Manager, Amazon.ca. "Amazon.ca is proud to support this award and provide a mechanism by which book readers throughout Canada can discover these emerging novelists who stand to shape the future of the Canadian literary culture for years to come."
The six nominees for the 2005 First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:
- "The City Man" by Howard Akler, Coach House (author lives in Toronto)
- "Three Day Road" by Joseph Boyden, Viking Canada (author lives in New Orleans)
- "Gotta Find Me an Angel" by Brenda Brooks, Raincoast Books (author lives on Salt Spring Island)
- "Spinner" by Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, Goose Lane Editions (author lives in Toronto)
- "The Sad Truth About Happiness" by Anne Giardini, HarperCollins (author lives in Vancouver)
- "The Rent Collector" by B. Glen Rotchin, Véhicule Press (author lives in Montreal)
The winner, to be announced later this year at the annual First Novel Award event in Toronto, will receive $7,500, the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All finalists will receive a $750 gift certificate redeemable at Amazon.ca.
The finalists were selected by author W.P. Kinsella, a renowned Canadian writer with more than 30 books to his credit including his debut novel "Shoeless Joe," the 1982 winner of the First Novel Award.
"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 his enthusiasm for finding and singling out new talent," said Olga Stein, editor of "Books in Canada." "Mr. Kinsella represents the very mission of the First Novel Award program: to direct attention to writers who are 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), Michel Basilières (2003) and Colin McAdam (2004) have become bestselling authors in Canada and around the world.
More information about the 2005 First Novel Award shortlist can be found in the Volume 35, No. 3 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, significant amount of indebtedness, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, payments, fraud, consumer trends, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and all subsequent filings.
For more information please contact:
Margaret Antkowski/Kendal Kowaluk
NATIONAL Public Relations
416-586-0180
mantkowski@national.ca/kkowaluk@national.ca