Known mainly because of its whopping purse of 160,000 $ (CAD), it should also be stressed that this is THE most flattering award to be acknowledged by. It is the largest award of its kind: books from all over the world and in every language are submitted, and, not by their publisher, but by nominations from libraries.

Of the 46 countries represented in this year’s prize, there were twelve Canadian authors, and among them, two Atlantic Canadians: Kenneth J. Harvey, for Blackstrap Hawco, and Anne Simpson, for Falling.

The shortlist will be revealed in April of 2010, and the winner announced in June.

Note: Atlantic Canadian author Alistair MacLeod was the first of two Canadians to have won this award, when No Great Mischief took the prize in 2001.

Click here to buy or read more about Blackstrap Hawco

Click here to buy or read more about Falling