
With the Emerging Writer Prize, Rakuten Kobo endeavours to raise the profiles of debut authors by recognizing exceptional books written by first-time Canadian authors in three categories: Literary Fiction, Non-Fiction, and one of three types of genre fiction: Romance, Speculative Fiction, or Mystery.
On 23 June 2022 Rakuten Kobo announced the winners of its eighth annual Emerging Writer Prize, adding three new Canadian authors to its growing list of celebrated writers. Debut authors in Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Romance each were awarded a $10,000 CAD cash prize. Get to know each of them below.
Watch as Rakuten Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn surprises the winners
Deftly weaving together memoir and essays on topics that range from police power to cultural appropriation, he builds a devastating but convincing critique of Canada’s shameful relationship with indigenous people. There is anger in this book, but justified anger, as well as humour and hope.
Wente titles his book “Unreconciled” because, as he writes, reconciliation is only possible when there has been a relationship. In his telling, Canada and its indigenous people have never had a true relationship, and Unreconciled is a challenge to create that connection for the first time. Non-indigenous readers of this book may disagree with individual points, but most will never look at Canada in the same way again.
Get to know Jesse Wente
The 2022 Non-Fiction Shortlist
“An exquisite novel about a woman in an 'astronaut family'—one in which the mother and children immigrated to Vancouver, while the father stayed behind to work in Hong Kong. In this story, the narrator has to grieve the death of her father, after only spending time with him sporadically throughout her life. The preciseness of the imagery and emotions in the novel is astounding and each paragraph has the beauty and visceral evocation of a poem. We learn about the quiet customs of a Hong Kong death ceremony, the ways in which parents sacrifice their lives for their children, and the quiet devastation love has when we hold it in our hands and look at it closely. A beautiful revelation by a writer whose razor sharp skills will take her to great places.”
Get to know Pik-Shuen Fung
The 2022 Literary Fiction Shortlist
“Little Cove is the quintessential small town no reader will want to leave. Newfoundland’s rich history is present in the delightful Irish-Catholic dialect, dry wit, and poker-faced slow burn of a romance that thoroughly satisfies. If you’ve ever longed for the Derry Girls to grow up and fall in love, gentle Jaysus in the garden, you’ll love this book.”
Get to know Damhnait Monaghan
The 2022 Romance Shortlist
Get to know the judges who picked this year's winners

Heather O’Neill, Literary Fiction judge
Heather O’Neill is a novelist, short-story writer and essayist. She has won CBC’s Canada Reads, and the Danuta Gleed Award. Born and raised in Montreal, O’Neill lives there with her daughter.

Nana Malone, Romance judge
Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves all things romance and adventure. Nana’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin.

Katherine Ashenburg, Non-Fiction judge
Katherine Ashenburg is the prize-winning author of two novels, four nonfiction books and hundreds of articles on subjects that range from travel to mourning customs to architecture.
Explore past Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prizes
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2021
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Mystery
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2020
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Speculative Fiction
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2019
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Romance
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2018
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Mystery
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2017
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Speculative Fiction
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2016
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Romance
Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize 2015
Winners in Nonfiction, Literary Fiction, and Mystery