Established in 1976, the First Novel Award program has launched the careers of some of Canada’s most beloved novelists. Previous winners include Michael Ondaatje, Joan Barfoot, Joy Kogawa, W. P. Kinsella, Nino Ricci, Rohinton Mistry, Michael Redhill, Mona Awad, Katherena Vermette, Casey Plett, Michelle Good, and last year’s winner, Alicia Elliott.

The winner of the Adult Novel Category will receive $60,000, and the five finalists will each receive $6,000 in prize money. The Youth Short Story Category invites authors between the ages of thirteen and seventeen to submit a short story under 3,000 words. The winner in this category will receive $5,000 and the five finalists will each receive $500.

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Submission Details

Adult Novel Category

The winner of the Adult Novel Category will receive $60,000, and the five finalists will each receive $6,000 in prize money.

Submissions for novels in the Adult Novel Category published between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 9, 2025. Entrants in the Adult Novel Category with novels slated to be published between February 10, 2025, and March 31, 2025, must submit advance copies of the novels no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 9, 2025.

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Rules and Regulations

Youth Short Story Category

The Youth Short Story Category invites authors between the ages of thirteen and seventeen to submit a short story under 3,000 words. The winner in this category will receive $5,000 and the five finalists will each receive $500. Submissions for the Youth Short Story Category must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 9, 2025.

Submit

Rules and Regulations

Past Shortlists and Winners

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Get in Touch

For more information please contact us at amazoncanadafirstnovelaward@thewalrus.ca.

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