First Novel Award Celebrates 30th Anniversary

TORONTO, ONTARIO (October 4, 2007) - This evening, Amazon.ca and "Books in Canada" presented the 2006 First Novel Award and a cheque for $7,500 (CDN) to Madeleine Thien, author of "Certainty," at a ceremony held at the Vaughan Estate at Sunnybrook in Toronto. Thien was selected to receive the award from a group of six finalists, all of whom had their first novels published in the year 2006.

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. This year is the 30th anniversary of the Award. Joseph Boyden, author of "Three Day Road," won the 2005 award; Colin McAdam, author of "Some Great Thing," won the 2004 award; and Michel Basilières won the 2003 award for "Black Bird." Other previous winners include Michael Ondaatje, Rohinton Mistry, Joan Barfoot, Joy Kogawa, Wayne Johnston, Nino Ricci and Deborah Joy Corey.

Madeleine Thien's debut book of fiction, "Simple Recipes," was published when she was 26 years old. This collection won four awards in Canada, was a finalist for a regional Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book and was named a Notable Book by the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize. Thien's first novel, "Certainty," was a finalist for the Kiriyama Prize, and named a "Globe and Mail" Best Book of the Year. "Certainty" is published by McClelland & Stewart and available at Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca).

Joining Thien as 2006 First Novel Award finalists were Peter Behrens for "The Law of Dreams" (House of Anansi Press), John Degen for "The Uninvited Guest" (Nightwood Editions), Annette Lapointe for "Stolen" (Anvil Press), Heather O'Neill for "Lullabies for Little Criminals" (Harper Collins) and Adam Lewis Schroeder for "Empress of Asia" (Raincoast Books). All six finalists were presented with Amazon.ca gift certificates in the amount of $750 (CDN) at the event.

This year's finalists were selected by Nancy Wigston, a prominent literary critic and freelance writer for more than 25 years. Wigston holds a PhD in English from the University of Toronto, and has been contributing reviews and interviews to "Books in Canada" since the mid-1980s. Also serving as judges were Mary Dalton, a prominent Newfoundland poet and writer, who teaches at the Department of English at Memorial University; John Moss, a prominent author and academic, who is on the faculty of the University of Ottawa and a Conjunct Professor at Trent University in Peterborough; Val Ross, a nationally prominent journalist and arts critic who has won a National Newspaper award; and Seán Virgo, an author of a dozen books, and winner of CBC, BBC and National Magazine awards.

"Amazon.ca would like to thank and congratulate all of the talented novelists who participated in the 2006 First Novel Award process," said Julie Todaro, director, Amazon.ca. "We continue to be inspired by the many emerging authors who embody Canada's rich and longstanding literary history. 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 2007 First Novel Award until December 31, 2007.

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 a single 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.

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