The longlists for the 30th annual Newfoundland & Labrador Book Awards (NLBAs) were recently announced. Administered by WritersNL, with the generous support of sponsors and the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, the NLBAs celebrate excellence in writing by authors in the province. Each award runs on a biennial cycle, with eligible books having appeared in the two previous calendar years. This year's awards are for fiction and books for children and youth. The longlist of the latter is listed below.
The shortlists will be announced on October 2 with readings by the shortlisted authors taking place on October 19 at Bannerman Brewing Company (90 Duckworth St., St. John's). The award ceremony is being held on October 30 at the Colonial Building (90 Military Rd., St. John's).
The winning authors in each category receive $1,500. Two runners-up will be selected in each category and will each be awarded $500.
NLBA for Children and Youth Longlist
Kuekuatsheu Creates the World / Kuekuatsheu ka tutak assinu, retold by Anne Picard, Innu-aimun translation by Penash Rich, illustrated by Elizabeth Jancewicz (Running the Goat Books & Broadsides)
The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall, written by Charis Cotter (Tundra Books)
Out on the Trail, written by Bonnie Morgan, illustrated by Molly Margaret (Running the Goat Books & Broadsides)
The Pig & the Dumpling, written Bonnie Johnston, illustrated by Veselina Tomova (Running the Goat Books & Broadsides)
Seamus and the Shiny Things, written and illustrated by Cara Kansala (Breakwater Books)
A Single Dreadlock, written by Xavier Michael Campbell, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes (Groundwood Books)