SEATTLE and TORONTO, ON - JUNE 9, 2008 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) and "Books in Canada" today announced the finalists for the 31st 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 emerging literary talent in Canada, and we are proud to be a part of this award's 31st year of recognizing emerging novelists," said Julie Todaro, director of Amazon.ca. "We are excited about this year's finalists and believe that these books truly exemplify the outstanding quality of Canadian authors; their books will inspire and excite readers for generations to come."

The six nominees for the 2007 First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:

 

  • The Outlander" by Gil Adamson, House of Anansi Press (author lives in Toronto, ON)

  • "Soucouyant" by David Chariandy, Arsenal Pulp Press (author lives in Vancouver, BC)

  • "The Letter Opener" by Kyo Maclear, Harper Collins Canada (author lives in Toronto, ON)

  • "The End of the Alphabet" by C.S. Richardson, Doubleday Canada (author lives in Toronto, ON)

  • "Big White Knuckles" by Brian Tucker, Nimbus Publishing (author lives in Trout Brook, New Brunswick)

  • "Milk Chicken Bomb" by Andrew Wedderburn, Coach House Books (author lives in Calgary, Alberta)

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 www.amazon.ca.

The finalists were selected by Aritha van Herk, an intellectual and motivational cultural speaker and award winning Canadian novelist, whose work has been acclaimed throughout North America and Europe. Her work has been widely published and translated into ten languages. Van Herk is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, and a professor of Canadian literature and creative writing in the Department of English at the University of Calgary.

"Aside from being an accomplished professor and speaker, Aritha van Herk is an outstanding author and literary critic in her own right, who has brought experience and passion to the selection of the shortlist for the 2007 First Novel Award," said Olga Stein, editor of "Books in Canada." "Van Herk is one more expert in a long series of First Novel Award editors who have used their enthusiasm and expertise to discover the most promising breakthrough novelists in Canada."

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), Joseph Boyden (2005), and Madeleine Thien (2006).

More information about the 2007 First Novel Award shortlist can be found 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

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, new products, services and technologies, 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, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. 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, 2007, and subsequent filings.

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