The Scotiabank Giller Prize Presents Its 2020 Longlist

TORONTO, ON, Sept. 8, 2020 /CNW/ – The Scotiabank Giller Prize is pleased to announce the 2020 longlist. The 2019 Prize winner, Ian Williams, announced the list today on www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/live. It was also announced via YouTube, the Scotiabank Giller Prize Facebook page and Twitter.

The 14 titles were chosen from a field of 118 books submitted by publishers all across Canada.

This year the Prize celebrates its 27^th anniversary. The longlist for the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize is:

• Gil Adamson, for her novel, Ridgerunner, published by House of Anansi Press
• David Bergen, for his short story collection, Here The Dark, published by Biblioasis
• Lynn Coady, for her novel, Watching You Without Me, published by House of Anansi Press
• Eva Crocker, for her novel, All I Ask, published by House of Anansi Press
• Emma Donoghue, for her novel, Pull of The Stars, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
• Francesca Ekwuyasi, for her novel, Butter Honey Pig Bread, published by Arsenal Pulp Press
• Michelle Good, for her novel, Five Little Indians, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
• Kaie Kellough, for his short story collection, Dominoes At The Crossroads, published by Véhicule Press
• Thomas King, for his novel, Indians On Vacation, published by Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
• Annabel Lyon, for her novel, Consent, published by Random House Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada
• Shani Mootoo, for her novel, Polar Vortex, published by Book*hug Press
• Emily St. John Mandel, for her novel, The Glass Hotel, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
• Seth, for his graphic novel, Clyde Fans, published by Drawn & Quarterly
• Souvankham Thammavongsa, for her short story collection, How To Pronounce Knife, published by McClelland & Stewart, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada
• The longlist was selected by an esteemed panel of five judges: Canadian authors Mark Sakamoto (Jury Chair), Eden Robinson and David Chariandy, British-Canadian novelist, Tom Rachman and literary critic for The Guardian, Claire Armitstead.

  Of the longlist, the jury wrote:

  “In this tumultuous year, the jurors took the responsibility bestowed upon us by the Scotiabank Giller Prize most seriously. We were determined to find the most powerful pieces of fiction published this year. And, despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, we experienced an embarrassment of riches. Exquisite prose has emerged from many parts of Canada and multiple walks of life; and we have filled our months with witty, intense, and achingly beautiful stories. We are proud of the collection of books that has emerged from our lengthy debates; and we believe that this longlist is but one clear reflection of the talent and global relevance of Canadian writers. To the nominees, we offer our sincere gratitude and our heartfelt congratulations.”

  Quotes

  “In this most turbulent year, the jury has rallied together. They’ve read and re-read diligently, attended endless conference calls and Zoom meetings and have created a list of books that will stand the test of time. These books deserve to be read and read widely.”
             –Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director, Executive Director, Scotiabank Giller Prize

  “Throughout these challenging times, the written word continues to play an important role in the lives of many. The 14 longlisted authors of the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize provide an escape, to a place where only a book can take a reader. Scotiabank is proud to continue our relationship with the Prize in support of Canada’s talented writers and congratulates the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist.”
                –John Doig, Executive Vice President, Retail Distribution, Scotiabank

  The Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist will be announced on Monday, October 5 at 10 a.m. ET on www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/live, the Scotiabank Giller Prize Facebook page, YouTube and Twitter.

  Between the Pages: An Evening with the Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalists will take place digitally this fall, on a date to be announced. Hosted by Jael Richardson, it will be an hour of readings, questions and answers, and will take you inside the minds and creative lives of the writers on the 2020 shortlist.

  For more information, please visit: www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/news-events/events-and-important-dates/

  Watch the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize on Monday, November 9, at 9 p.m. (11:30 AT, 12 midnight NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service.

  About the Prize
  The Giller Prize, founded by Jack Rabinovitch in 1994, highlights the very best in Canadian fiction year after year. In 2005, the prize teamed up with Scotiabank who increased the winnings 4-fold. The Scotiabank Giller Prize now awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel, graphic novel or short story collection published in English, and $10,000 to each of the finalists. The award is named in honour of the late literary journalist Doris Giller by her husband Toronto businessman Jack Rabinovitch, who passed away in August 2017.