As Canada’s oldest independent publisher, Goose Lane Editions has seen its fair share of awards seasons; we’ve witnessed great triumphs, been moved by powerful acceptance speeches, and have watched the careers of countless authors flourish as they receive the recognition they deserve on awards stages across the country. But this year? This may have been one of the best yet for our incredible authors.
This year’s authors took home major awards from across the country; from the George Borden Writing for Change Award at the inaugural Nova Scotia Book Awards to the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award; from the $30,000 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award to the APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award. The juries have made their decisions. These are books you cannot miss.
Fiction
Constant Nobody by Michelle Butler Hallett
Winner, Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award
From Michelle Butler Hallett: "The validation is lovely, no question. My work is risky, and not always an easy sell, so seeing it recognized like this is a surprise and a thrill. The gift of time the Raddall Prize allows is huge, and I'm grateful to the Raddall family for their dedication and work."
Out of Mind by David Bergen
Winner, McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award
From David Bergen: "What a pleasure to have Out of Mind recognized in this way. I’m so happy that this award will bring new readers to my novel. McNally Robinson is the best bookstore in Canada. How lucky for me."
Hour of the Crab by Patricia Robertson
Co-Winner, Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction
From Patricia Robertson: "I was floored to win this prize, named after a Prairie writer who I admire for her courage in writing when she did. I'm particularly thrilled that a short story collection was chosen. And I'm really happy that the stories themselves will get more attention. They were stories that needed — insisted — on being told, and I'm grateful to have been the channel for them."
The Running Trees by Amber McMillan
Finalist, Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction
Finalist, New Brunswick Book Award (Fiction)
Read an excerpt from The Running Trees in the Miramichi Reader.
Non-Fiction
Future Possible by Mireille Eagan
Published in association with The Rooms Corporation
Winner, APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award
Winner, The Critical Eye Award
My Daughter Rehtaeh Parsons by Glen Canning with Susan McLelland
Winner, George Borden Writing for Change Award
From Glen Canning: "With every chapter came a new reminder of who I lost. It was a very painful process, writing while still grieving. Towards the end I found each page written was a page of healing, forgiveness, hope, and the promise of a new journey. My life today is completely different from what it was when we started."
Northern Light by Kazim Ali
Finalist, Lambda Literary Award (LGBTQ Nonfiction)
Alexa! by Stephen Kimber
Winner, Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction Award
Finalist, George Borden Writing for Change Award
Finalist, APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award
From Stephen Kimber: "It is strange not to have the opportunity to share this news with her. But I hope the award encourages others to discover Alexa's story and be inspired by it."
Poetry
Poisonous If Eaten Raw by Alyda Faber
Winner, J.M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award
Myself A Paperclip by Triny Finlay
Winner, Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize
Finalist, J.M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award
From Triny Finlay: "I’m thrilled to have won the Fiddlehead Poetry Prize at the NB Book Awards! Myself A Paperclip is a book that asks readers to think more, and feel more, about mental illness, its treatments, and stigma, and I think those issues are even more pressing now than they were when I wrote the book."
The Lost Time Accidents by Síle Englert
Finalist, The Raymond Souster Award
Shop the Full Awards Collection
Banner photo by Samson Photography