International in scope, The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is one of the most well-regarded fiction prizes in the world. They are awarded each year by the Commonwealth Foundation, and start with regional shortlists for best book and best first book, and a cash award for the winners of each catagory, followed by the unveiling of the “overall” best book and best first book (In addition to £10,000, the recognition, and countless booksales, the overall winner of the Best Book Prize is invited to London to schmooze with Queen Elizabeth II) . The award’s mandate is to “encourage and reward the upsurge of new Commonwealth fiction and ensure that works of merit reach a wider audience outside their country of origin.” The Regional winners will be announced in the coming weeks, and the ”overall” winner will be announced on April 12th.
Lisa Moore & Michael Crummey Make the Six-book Shortlist for “Caribbean and Canada Best Book”
Lisa Moore’s February
- Named as one of Quill & Quire’s “Fifteen Books That Mattered” in 2009.
- A Globe and Mail Top Book of 2009.
- Published, or to be published, in over five countries.
- Click Here to Read Salty Ink’s Feature Article on February
Michael Crummey’s Galore
- Shortlisted for the 2009 GG Award
- A National Post/ The Afterword Book of the Year.
- A Globe and Mail Book of the Year.
- Easily one of the best recieved, most talked-about Canadian novels of 2009.
Shandi Mitchell & Carla Gunn Make the Six-book Shortlist for “Caribbean and Canada Best First Book”
Shandi Mitchel’s Under This Unbroken Sky
- One of Booklist’s Top 10 First Novels for 2009 .
- A Selection for the Barnes & Noble First Look Book Club.
- Published, or to be published, in over five countries.
- “A powerhouse of a debut that grips from start to finish.” —Steven Galloway, author of The Cellist of Sarajevo
Carla Gunn’s Amphibian
- A National Post / The Afterword Best Book of 2009.
- One of Globe and Mail’s Top Five Debut Novels of the Year.
- A Quill & Quire Most original Voices of 2009.
- Released to countless rave reviews and critical praise. Literally.
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