SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 16, 2009 - Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca) today announced the finalists for the 33rd annual First Novel Award, a Canadian literary award that recognizes the outstanding achievement of a first-time novelist who published his or her first novel in 2008.
"We're excited that the First Novel Award has become a tool for discovering great Canadian literature," said Julie Todaro, director, Amazon.ca. "Amazon.ca is proud to provide customers with this gauge for emerging literary talent in Canada. We are confident that this year's finalists truly exemplify the outstanding quality of Canadian authors, and these books will inspire readers throughout Canada for many years to come."
The six nominees for the 2008 Amazon.ca First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:
- "Chase & Haven" by Michael Blouin, Coach House Books
- "Stunt" by Claudia Dey, Coach House Books
- "Red Dog, Red Dog" by Patrick Lane, McClelland and Stewart
- "The Boys in the Trees" by Mary Swan, Henry Holt
- "Reading by Lightning" by Joan Thomas, Goose Lane
- "The Toss of a Lemon" by Padma Viswanathan, Random House
The winner will be announced at the annual Amazon.ca First Novel Award event in September in Toronto. The winner will receive $7,500 CAD - the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All finalists will receive a $750 gift certificate redeemable at www.amazon.ca.
For the second year in a row, the finalists were selected by Aritha van Herk, an award-winning Canadian novelist, critic and reviewer whose work is noted throughout North America and Europe. She is the author of nine books and her work has been widely published and translated into 10 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.
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), Madeleine Thien (2006) and Gil Adamson (2007).
More information about the 2008 Amazon.ca 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, DVDs and electronics, 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 CAD 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, 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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
For more information contact:
Margaret Antkowski / Mark van Tol
NATIONAL Public Relations
(416) 586-0180
mantkowski@national.ca / mvantol@national.ca