The nominees for the 2016 Atlantic Book Awards were announced last night at a fundraiser at the Halifax Central Library. Included this year in the thirteen prize categories is a new award named for the late Alistair MacLeod. Endorsed by the MacLeod family, the Alistair MacLeod Award for Short Fiction honours the best short fiction from Atlantic Canadian authors. Three titles have been named to the shortlist, including Knife Party at the Hotel Europa by Mark Anthony Jarman.

A vivid collection of short stories which circle and overlap in unexpected and delightful ways, Knife Party at the Hotel Europa transports readers to a version of sun-drenched Italy — a version of Italy as only one of Canada’s premiere short story writers could imagine it. Widely hailed by both critics and readers, the book has helped cement Jarman’s reputation as one of Canada’s most accomplished masters of prose.

The 2016 Atlantic Book Awards and Festival runs April 20-27 with free literary events in all four provinces. Festival event details will be available at www.atlanticbookawards.ca soon. Winners of the 2016 Atlantic Book Awards will be announced at a special awards show on the last night of the weeklong festival, Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton.