Canadians dominate Commonwealth Writers' Prize Shortlist

by: Mark Medley

Some of the Canadian nominees for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize (clockwise from top left) Miguel Syjuco, Emma Donoghue, Alexander MacLeod, and Sarah Selecky. (Natioanl Post Staff)

Canadian authors dominate the regional shortlists for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prizes, which were announced on Thursday.

Every single one of the ten nominees in the two categories — Best Book and Best First Book — are Canadian authors. The winners of the regional categories, who will then compete for the overall prizes, will be announced on March 3.

The nominees for Best Book (Canada and the Caribbean) are:
• Caroline Adderson for The Sky is Falling
• Emma Donoghue for Room
• Jack Hodgins for The Master of Happy Endings
• Adam Lewis Schroeder for In The Fabled East
• Michael Winter for The Death of Donna Whalen
• Richard B. Wright for Mr. Shakespeare’s Bastard

The nominees for Best First Book (Canada and the Caribbean) are:
• Katrina Best for Bird Eat Bird
• Carole Enahoro for Doing Dangerously Well
• Darcie Friesen Hossack for Mennonites Don’t Dance
• Alexander MacLeod for Light Lifting
• Sarah Selecky for This Cake is for the Party
• Miguel Syjuco for Ilustrado

from: National Post