Congrats to our 2022 NLBA Winners!
(October 6, 2022) – Congratulations to our 2022 NLBA Winners!
In the category of Children’s/Young Adult Literature, Charis Cotter was the 2022 Winner for her book, “Footsteps in Bay de Verde: A Mysterious Tale,” presented at the A.C. Hunter Children’s Library on September 28, 2022.
(February 9, 2023) – Click here to read an update on our 2022 winner.
Our 2022 NLBA Winner in the Fiction category was Elisabeth de Mariaffi for “The Retreat,” presented at the A.C. Hunter Library on October 5, 2022.
Congrats to all shortlisted authors – Sheilah Roberts, Claire Wilkshire, and Bridget Canning, and to our longlisted authors – for Fiction, Michelle Butler Hallett, Beth Follett, and Carmella Gray-Cosgrove, and for Children/YA, Lori Doody, Samantha Baker, and Veselina Tomova.
A huge thanks as well to our community partners, our jury members, and our sponsors, The Bruneau Family and Killick Capital – these Awards would not be possible without your support!
The 2023 NLBAs will be for the categories of Non-Fiction and Poetry.
All NLBA photo by Alick Tsui.
Join us in celebrating the 2022 Fiction Book Award Winner!
or virtually via Webex: Click here to register to attend virtually.
*Please note: the Fiction event is held upstairs in the A.C. Hunter Public Library.*
Thank you to our sponsors, Killick Capital, for their sponsorship of this award.
⬇ Keep reading for jury comments about the
2022 NLBA shortlisted books, and meet the 2022 NLBA Jury!⬇
The Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards are held annually by WritersNL to recognize excellence in writing by authors residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The 2022 Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award, sponsored by the Bruneau Family, was announced on September 28, 2022.
This year’s winner was Charis Cotter for her book, Footsteps in Bay de Verde: A Mysterious Tale.
Our shortlisted authors were Once Upon An Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure by Sheilah Lukins and The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter. Congrats to both authors!
Read what our jury had to say about the 2022 Fiction NLBA Shortlisted Titles!
In “Some People’s Children,” Bridget Canning writes about contemporary Newfoundland with honesty, compassion and a healthy dose of dark humour.
As Canning’s deeply flawed and endlessly endearing protagonist, Imogene Tubbs strives to understand her family history within the claustrophobic constraints of a very small town she unearths complicated truths about obligation, love and loss.
De Mariaffi’s dancer-protagonist is blessed with powerful, intertwined drives to create and survive; both of which turn out to be essential to making it through the journey ahead of her when she arrives at a remote artist retreat in the opening pages of this fast-paced, heart-wrenching novel.The Love Olympics by Claire Wilkshire
“The Love Olympics” is Claire Wilkshire’s exploration of relationships, love, and what makes us human.
Whether it’s the love of a mother for their child, the unbridled love of high school friends, or unwavering acceptance of both young and old, Wilkshire captures the human condition while exploring life in Newfoundland. Characters weave in and out of the collection to help achieve a cohesion that drives the reader forward until the end.
Thank you, to the 2022 Fiction
NLBA Jury Members!
Her first novel, All I Ask, was published in 2020. The novel was longlisted for the Giller Prize in 2020. It won the Winterset Award for 2020. It was also a finalist for the ReLit Award for fiction in 2021.
She is from Change Islands and lives in Lewisporte.
Join us in celebrating the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Children’s/Young Adult Literature Book Award Winner!
IN-PERSON in St. John’s @ A.C. Hunter Children’s Library (downstairs)
or virtually via Webex
Did we mention that there will be a BALLOON ARTIST on site to create balloon sculptures for the kids?Thank you to our sponsors, the Bruneau Family, for their longtime generosity with this award.
2022 NLBA shortlisted books, and meet the 2022 NLBA Jury!⬇The Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards are held annually by WritersNL to recognize excellence in writing by authors residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The 2022 Fiction Award, sponsored by Killick Capital, will be announced on October 5, 2022 (more details below).
Read what our jury had to say about the 2022 Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature NLBA Shortlisted Titles!
Once Upon An Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure by Sheilah LukinsA delightful first chapter book for young readers, Sheilah Lukins’ writing is clear and uncluttered, with lovely short sentences and punchy verbs.
Tidbits of Newfoundland history are dropped into the story like pearls, pure and simple, and never overly instructive. There’s plenty of action and near-misses to keep young readers on their toes. Adorable characters that kids will love, each with distinctive personality traits.
The illustrations are sweet and colourful, full of interesting details waiting to be discovered. Charming and fun to read, and a lovely comment on family and our connection to home.
The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis CotterA cross between Alice in Wonderland and Narnia with some time travel thrown in for good measure. Cleanly and beautifully written, Charis Cotter’s style is consistent and never flags.
Twelve-year-old Alice finds her summer plans upended when her parents suddenly separate. She must go with her mother who takes a job with a mean elderly lady in a creepy old house in a small town far away. When Alice discovers an exquisitely detailed dollhouse in the attic of the house, it provides a portal to people and events of decades past and Alice is drawn into these experiences.
The character of Alice is real and well-drawn. Lily and Bubble, who are developmentally challenged, are sensitively portrayed, adding an extra dimension of sweetness to the story. There’s an even pull of events as the plot unfolds in a gentle fashion.
Like Alice, the reader is unsure what is real and what is imagined. The haunted house within a haunted house concept is unique and original. Scary without being too frightening, an excellent spooky story written to be savoured.“
Footsteps in Bay de Verde: A Mysterious Tale by Charis Cotter
An imaginative retelling of an old Newfoundland ghost story, Charis Cotter weaves the tale from a child’s point of view, as three children listen to grownups tell stories on a cold winter’s night.
A true story, gently evoking the atmosphere of an outport Newfoundland kitchen a century ago. There’s a delightful lilt and wonderful pacing as events unfold. Beautiful spare writing. Authentic characters and pitch perfect dialogue.
Spooky without being terrifying. An author’s note at the end explains where the story comes from, adding depth and interest, a bonus for adults and children wanting more. The book is beautifully designed with warm, realistic illustrations that give the look and feel of times past.
A concise, well-rounded story written simply enough for children, yet eloquent and classic enough to appeal to adults. And in the end the question remains open – what really happened here? Truly mysterious.
Thank you, to the 2022 NLBA Children’s/Young Adult Literature Jury Members!
Susan Chalker Browne has authored numerous books for children, most highlighting Newfoundland’s rich heritage. She also wrote the young adult novel Secret Life of a Funny Girl along with several non-fiction books including Mother of the Regiment and Other Remarkable Women of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as The Story of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, which was short-listed for an Atlantic Book Award. Her writing has earned distinction from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts and Letters Awards, the Cuffer Prize, and the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia Atlantic Writing Competition. She lives in St. John’s.
William Pryse Phillips has been on the Faculty of Memorial University of Newfoundland since 1972 and has been Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at Memorial since 1980 and Professor emeritus since 2004. Following medical school at Guy’s Hospital, London and further training in Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology in England, he came to Canada in 1970. He is a reviewer for six journals and on the editorial boards of three others and is the author of over 120 peer-reviewed papers or book chapters. His hobbies are salmon fishing, long (900 K) walks, extreme gardening, questionable cooking, iconoclasm and writing for pleasure.
Nicole Little lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her short stories have appeared in eighteen anthologies thus far and her first novella, The Lotus Fountain, was released in November 2020. She has won several competitions including the June 2018 Kit Sora prize from Engen Books for her flash fiction piece “Sweet Sixteen;” her short story “Doxxed” placed 3rd in WritersNL’s “A Nightmare on Water Street: Scary Story Reading” in October 2018 and her three-sentence horror story, “Tasty Babies” earned her the much-coveted Hell Hare award from Black Hare Press in January 2020. Her debut Science Fiction novel, Roxy Buckles & the Flight of the Sparrow is set for publication in Fall 2022. She is married with two daughters.
Join us in-person or virtually for the 2022 Fiction NLBAs!
The Fiction readings + winner announcement events will take place at the A.C. Hunter Public Library in St. John’s as well as virtually via Webex on: Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. NST.
*Please note: the Fiction event is held upstairs in the A.C. Hunter Public Library.*
Click here to register to attend virtually via Webex.
WritersNL Announces SHORTLIST for the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards
(September 23, 2022) – WritersNL is SO excited to announce the shortlist for the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards!
In 2022, we are honouring two categories – the Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award, and the Fiction Award, sponsored by Killick Capital. The 2022 longlist was announced on September 15, 2022.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards are held annually by WritersNL to recognize excellence in writing by authors residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Shortlisted authors are listed alphabetically by last name below.
Sponsored by Killick Capital
• Some People’s Children by Bridget Canning
• The Retreat by Elisabeth de Mariaffi
•The Love Olympics by Claire Wilkshire
The 2022 Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award Shortlist
Sponsored by the Bruneau Family
• Footsteps in Bay de Verde: A Mysterious Tale by Charis Cotter
• The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter
• Once Upon An Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure by Sheilah Lukins
Join us in-person or virtually for the 2022 NLBAs!
Both readings + winner announcement events will take place at the A.C. Hunter Public Library in St. John’s as well as virtually via Webex.
• The Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award readings + winner announcement will take place on:
Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. NST.
*Please note: this event is held downstairs in the Children’s Library.*
Click here to register to attend virtually via Webex.
• The Fiction Award sponsored by Killick Capital readings + winner announcement will take place on:
Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. NST.
*Please note: this event is held upstairs in the A.C. Hunter Public Library.*
Click here to register to attend virtually via Webex.
Media Contact:
WritersNL Executive Director Jen Winsor: director@writersnl.ca
WritersNL Announces Longlist for the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards
(September 15, 2022) –WritersNL is ecstatic to announce the longlist for the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards (NLBAs).
The Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards are held annually by WritersNL to recognize excellence in writing by authors residing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This year, we are honouring two categories – the Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award, and the Fiction Award, sponsored by Killick Capital.
Longlisted authors are listed alphabetically by last name below.
Sponsored by Killick Capital
• Some People’s Children by Bridget Canning
• Instructor by Beth Follett
• Nowadays and Lonelier by Carmella Gray-Cosgrove
• The Retreat by Elisabeth de Mariaffi
•The Love Olympics by Claire Wilkshire
The 2022 Bruneau Family Children’s/Young Adult Literature Award Longlist
Sponsored by the Bruneau Family
• A Newfoundland Maple by Samantha Baker
• Footsteps in Bay de Verde: A Mysterious Tale by Charis Cotter
• The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter
• Catalina by Lori Doody
• Once Upon An Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure by Sheilah Lukins
• The Wall and the Wind by Veselina Tomova
