Atlantic Canadian authors and publishers were celebrated at the 2026 Atlantic Book Awards gala on Thursday, June 4, in Paul O’Regan Hall at Halifax Central Library. The recipients of six awards—including the $30,000 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, one of the largest literary awards in the country—were revealed at the evening gala, which was hosted by CBC Information Morning radio host Portia Clark.
Lauren Soloy won the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature for her book, The Newest Gnome, published by Tundra Books. The award was presented by Gavin Brimer, son of the late Ann Connor Brimer, who was an educator and Atlantic Officer for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
Of the book, the Brimer jury said, “The real joy of this book is the sheer joy of it! The Newest Gnome is an enchanting mix of fact and fantasy where a community of odd little beings revel in the natural world and invite readers to do so alongside them. We meet gnomes not quite like any we may have seen before.”
Sue Goyette won the J. M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award for her book, Future Howl, published by Gaspereau Press.
Of Future Howl, the J. M. Abraham jury said, “Future Howl is a stunning meditation on trauma—both familial, and societal. Goyette’s collection transitions gracefully from one dichotomy to the next. Private agonies bleed into public denials while families can be as bloodthirsty as wolves. Natural scenes become escapist fantasy as the animal world viewed through a computer monitor is infinitely more comforting than the realities of genocide and climate change.”
The Atlantic Independent Booksellers Readers’ Choice Award invited readers to vote for their top pick—and wow did they vote! After two rounds of voting and more than 2,000 votes, The Austens by Sarah Emsley came out on top!
Heidi Wicks won the Alistair MacLeod Award for Short Fiction for her book, Here, published by Breakwater Books.
Of the book, the jury said, “Here by Heidi Wicks intricately weaves together stories spanning a century and with multiple complex characters, all connected by their time spent in a single house in St. John’s. A character study of a city as much as its inhabitants who populate her stories, Wicks has crafted a brave and innovative collection. It evokes the specificity of Newfoundland speech, character and history in a way that feels natural and wholly lived. By turns playful and experimental, expansive and heartfelt, Wicks’ voice is original and assured.”
A feature of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Atlantic Legacy Award to Stephen Kimber.
Dean Jobb, one of the multiple people who nominated Kimber, said, “This fall one of Atlantic Canada’s best-known authors will release a new book, his thirteenth. Traitor’s Game is a detective novel, a mystery set in Halifax during the Second World War. But it’s no mystery why Stephen Kimber is this year’s recipient of the Atlantic Legacy Award for his contributions to building this region’s vibrant literary scene. In a writing career that has spanned more than five decades, he has published ten nonfiction books and the new novel will be his third. He’s a three-time winner of the Richardson Award for best work of nonfiction by a Nova Scotia writer and won or been a finalist for many more national and regional book awards.”
“He is an exceptional writer and teacher, a generous colleague, and a champion of democracy, the arts and education.” said Kim Pittaway as she presented the award to Kimber. To watch Stephen Kimber’s inspirational acceptance speech head over to our You Tube.
Publisher Goose Lane Editions won the APMA Best Atlantic-Published Book for Erica Rutherford, by Pan Wendt. Of the book, the jury said, “Thoughtfully edited and beautifully designed (in both English and French, no less), Goose Lane Editions and Confederation Centre Art Gallery have demonstrably raised the profile of Erica Rutherford as an artist and historical figure through this title. They’ve created a book we didn’t even know we wanted– no small feat in publishing. A bilingual feat. As informative as it is beautiful.”
This year’s recipient of the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award is Nova Scotia author Jaime Burnet for her second novel, milktooth, Vagrant Press.
Of the book, the Raddall jury said, “milktooth is a breathtaking account of the insidiousness of intimate partner abuse and the immense strength and difficult untangling required to escape. Jaime Burnet offers a complex and sensitive look into the unsafe domestic space where early-thirties protagonist Sorcha is trying to conceive via IVF with a controlling and manipulative partner, Chris. Set between Cape Breton and Scotland, the story unravels against a backdrop of beautiful scenery. The power of found and chosen family and the Queer community shines through in a disturbing yet important story. Burnet has incredible skill, building momentum from the first page, and reaching a narrative climax that is extremely moving. Sorcha’s first steps toward freedom, despite her fear and doubt, are stunningly captured on the page.”
A live stream of the awards show allowed viewers to enjoy the ceremony online.