A handful of Maritime authors and illustrators will soon have their talents recognized at the 2022 Atlantic Book awards and the new Nova Scotia Book Awards. Thirty-six books have been shortlisted in 12 prize categories. The author and editor of Atlantic Books Today Magazine, Chris Benjamin, says a nomination is “very validating” for an author. “It can be a lonely pursuit,” said Benjamin. “You’re creating these things in your little office or wherever you write, and to see it go out in the world and be received, and having your peers acknowledge that you’ve done something very well, it’s very special.” After two years of online awards, Benjamin says this year’s in-person ceremony is a welcome opportunity for nominees to celebrate their success together. The inaugural Nova Scotia Book awards will be held at Halifax City Hall on June 6. Awards and shortlisted nominees include: Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction Award George Borden Writing for Change Award Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award (Fiction) Margaret and John Savage First Book Award (Fiction) Margaret and John Savage First Book Award (Non-Fiction) The Atlantic Book Awards Gala takes place on Thursday, June 9, at Paul O’Regan Hall in Halifax Central Library. Organizers say it will also be live-streamed. Awards and shortlisted nominees include: Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book Award Atlantic Book Award for Scholarly Writing J. M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award To learn more about the 2022 Atlantic Book Awards and Festival you can visit their website.
