SEATTLE, WA and TORONTO, ON - June 13, 2007 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) and "Books in Canada" today announced the finalists for the 30th 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 a gauge for Canadian literary culture and the writers who will play a central role in defining it," said Julie Todaro, director of Amazon.ca. "On the heels of the fifth anniversary of Amazon.ca, we are proud to be a part of this award's 30th year recognizing the talents of emerging novelists who will excite the minds of readers for generations to come."

The six nominees for the 2006 First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:

  • "The Law of Dreams" by Peter Behrens, House of Anansi Press (Canadian author, lives in Maine)

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  • "The Uninvited Guest" by John Degen, Nightwood Editions (author lives in Toronto, ON)

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  • "Stolen" by Annette Lapointe, Anvil Press (author lives in Saskatoon, SK and Winnipeg, MB)

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  • "Lullabies for Little Criminals" by Heather O'Neill, Harper Collins (author lives in Montreal, QC)

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  • "Empress of Asia" by Adam Lewis Schroeder, Raincoast Books (author lives in Penticton, BC)

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  • "Certainty" by Madeleine Thien, McClelland & Stewart (author lives in Québec City, QC)


The winner will be announced at the annual First Novel Award event in October in Toronto. The winner 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 Nancy Wigston, a prominent literary critic and freelance writer for more than 25 years. She 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.

"Nancy Wigston is not only an accomplished writer in her own right, but a well-respected literary critic who brought an incredible amount of experience and rigor to the shortlist selection of this year's crop of debut novels," said Olga Stein, editor of "Books in Canada". "Wigston is yet another prominent judge in a long line of First Novel Award judges who have endeavoured to showcase the works of writers demonstrating great promise."

Since 1976, the First Novel Award has launched the careers of some of Canada's most beloved novelists. Previous winners include 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), Colin McAdam (2004) and Joseph Boyden (2005).

More information about the 2006 First Novel Award shortlist can be found in the Volume 36, No. 4 issue of "Books in Canada" or at www.amazon.ca/firstnovelaward.

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.

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

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For more information contact:
Margaret Antkowski
NATIONAL Public Relations
(416) 848-1392
mantkowski@national.ca