Fourth Annual Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Shortlist Announced
Canada’s hottest new books have been selected in three genres: Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction and Mystery.
Toronto, ON – May 1st 2018 – Rakuten Kobo, in search for the best new books written by debut Canadian authors, today announced the shortlist for its fourth annual Emerging Writer Prize. The award was created with the goal of kick-starting the careers of debut authors, with a $10,000 CAD cash prize awarded to a book in each of three categories: Non-Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Genre Fiction (Mystery this year). In addition, each winning author will receive promotional, marketing, and communications support through 2018.
The 2018 shortlist, selected by Kobo’s team of booksellers and booklovers—with book completion rates, customer ratings and reviews considered—comprises a selection of books from each genre. The shortlist will now move on to the final selection process led by top Canadian authors: Lori Lansens for Literary Fiction, Jay Ingram for Non-Fiction and Linwood Barclay for Mystery. The winners will be announced on the evening of June 19th, 2018.
Non-Fiction
Out Standing in the Field by Sandra Perron - Cormorant Books
Trust No Aunty by Maria Qamar - Touchstone
F-Bomb by Lauren McKeon - Goose Lane Editions
One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul - Doubleday Canada
How to Fall in Love with Anyone by Mandy Len Catron - Simon & Schuster
Beautiful Scars by Tom Wilson - Doubleday Canada
Literary Fiction
The Church In The Wildwood by Alanna Rusnak - Alanna Rusnak Publishing
Death and the Intern by Jeremy Hanson-Finger - Invisible Publishing
American War by Omar El Akkad - McClelland & Stewart
Uncertain Weights and Measures by Jocelyn Parr - Goose Lane Editions
The Last Wave by Gillian Best - House of Anansi Press
Dominion by Shane Arbuthnott - Orca Book Publishers
Mystery
The Doll's Alphabet by Camilla Grudova - Coach House Books
Our Little Secret by Roz Nay - Simon & Schuster
Full Curl by Dave Butler - Dundurn
The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal - HarperCollins
The Twelve Man Bilbo Choir by Peter Staadecker - Robert P Staadecker
For more information, please visit kobo.com/p/EmergingWriterPrize2018
Rakuten Kobo’s team now turns over the really tough task of choosing just one winner per category from these lists of great books. Here is who takes the challenge to the next level:
Jay Ingram – Author Judge – Non-Fiction
Jay Ingram is a Canadian science writer/broadcaster. He has hosted two national science programs in Canada, Quirks and Quarks on CBC radio and Daily Planet on Discovery Channel Canada. He has written 15 books, which have been translated into 16 languages, has six honorary degrees, is a member of the Order of Canada and a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is well known for The Science of Why, The Science of Why 2 and Fatal Flaws.
Lori Lansens – Author Judge – Literary Fiction
Lori Lansens was a successful screenwriter before she burst onto the literary scene in 2002 with her first novel Rush Home Road. Published in 11 countries, it received rave reviews around the world. Her follow-up novel The Girls was an international success as well. Her novels, The Wife’s Tale, and The Mountain Story were also sold internationally and made bestseller lists everywhere. Her new novel, We American Girls, introduces readers to the blog of Rory Miller, a Holden Caulfield for a new generation, to be published in spring 2019. Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Lori Lansens now lives in Southern California with her family.
Linwood Barclay – Author Judge – Genre Fiction (Mystery)
Linwood Barclay is the New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of 16 critically acclaimed novels, including the Promise Falls trilogy, composed of Broken Promise, Far From True and The Twenty-Three; No Safe House; A Tap on the Window; Trust Your Eyes, which has been optioned for film; and No Time Goodbye. Linwood lives in Oakville, ON.
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About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the world’s most innovative eReading services offering more than 5 million eBooks and audiobooks to millions of customers in 190 countries. Believing that consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device, Kobo provides people with a choice when reading. Kobo offers an eReader for everyone with a wide variety of E Ink eReaders to suit any Reader’s style including Kobo Aura, Kobo Aura H2O, and Kobo Aura ONE; along with the company’s free top-ranking eReading and audiobook listening app for Apple® and Android®. Kobo’s award-winning eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world. For more information, visit www.kobo.com.
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Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Specialist, Public Relations
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