Amazon.ca and “Quill & Quire” Announce Finalists for 2010 Amazon.ca First Novel Award

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon.ca (www.amazon.ca ) today announced the finalists for the 35th Annual First Novel Award, a Canadian literary award that recognizes the outstanding achievement of a novelist who published his or her first novel in 2010.

“This year marks the 35th anniversary of this event, which makes it even more special.”

“Amazon.ca is honoured to be a part of the First Novel Award and to play a role in the future careers of these incredibly talented authors,” said John Nemeth, director of Amazon.ca. “This year marks the 35^th anniversary of this event, which makes it even more special.”

The five nominees for the 2010 Amazon.ca First Novel Award, listed alphabetically by author, are:

• “Ghosted” by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0679314520
• “The Rehearsal” by Eleanor Catton http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0771019831
• “Ilustrado” by Miguel Syjuco http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0670063959
• “Cool Water” by Dianne Warren http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1554685591
• “Annabel” by Kathleen Winter http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0887842364

The winner will be announced in April at the annual Amazon.ca First Novel Award event in Toronto. The winner will receive $7,500 CDN - the largest Canadian prize for a first novel. All finalists will receive a $750 CDN gift certificate redeemable at www.amazon.ca.

“This year’s shortlist is excellent,” said Alison Jones, publisher of “Quill & Quire” magazine, “It will be a difficult decision for the jury to choose one book.”

The finalists were selected by Stuart Woods, editor of “Quill & Quire” and head judge for this year’s event. Additional judges include Joan Thomas, winner of the 2008 Amazon.ca First Novel Award; Cynthia Good, former president and publisher of Penguin Canada and director of the Creative Book Publishing program at Humber College; and Jo Steffens, general director of the Calgary Wordfest.

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), Gil Adamson (2007), Joan Thomas (2008) and Jessica Grant (2009).

More information about the 2010 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, sports and outdoors products, DVDs and electronics, watches, home and garden products, 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 $25 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.

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