2023 Amazon Canada First Novel Award
is now open for submissions
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, Pik-Shuen Fung.
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.
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, 2022 and March 31, 2023, must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 5, 2023. Entrants in the Adult Novel Category with novels slated to be published between February 6, 2023, and March 31, 2023, must submit advance copies of the novels no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on February 5, 2023.
Submit
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 5, 2023.
Submit
Rules and Regulations
Past Shortlists and Winners
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Get in Touch
For more information please contact us at amazoncanadafirstnovelaward@thewalrus.ca.