2021 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, and Michael Kaan.
The winner of the Adult Novel Category will receive $60,000, and each of the six finalists will 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 a mentorship lunch with editors of The Walrus. The deadline for entry in either category is 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 31, 2021.
Given the current circumstances, we encourage all publishers who are able to submit their books digitally to help facilitate the judging process, but we will accept all submissions (print or digital) that meet eligibility requirements. Amazon Canada maintains its support of Canadian writers in these difficult times and looks forward to seeing this year’s submissions.
About the Amazon Canada First Novel Award
Adult Novel Category
The winner of the Adult Novel Category will receive $60,000, and each of the six finalists will receive $6,000 in prize money.
Submissions for novels in the Adult Novel Category published between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 31, 2021. Entrants in the Adult Novel Category with novels slated to be published between February 1, 2021, and March 31, 2021, must submit advance copies of the novels no later than 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 31, 2021.
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 a mentorship lunch with editors of The Walrus. Submissions for the Youth Short Story Category must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. (PST) on January 31, 2021.
Submit
Rules and Regulations
Past Shortlists and Winners
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Get in Touch
For more information please contact us at amazoncanadafirstnovelaward@thewalrus.ca or +1 (905)-466-3624.
