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The 2022 Atlantic Book Awards Festival is a hybrid of in-person and virtual events featuring shortlisted authors and illustrators, running June 2–9, 2022. We hope you can join us to celebrate with this year’s nominees.
Wednesday, June 1 from 6:00 p.m. until late
Good Robot Brewing Company, 2736 Robie Street, Halifax, NS
Atlantic Book Award-themed Silent Reading
Help us kick off the Atlantic Book Awards Festival with a special Atlantic Book Awards–themed Silent Reading event at Good Robot Brewery. Discover this year’s nominated titles, grab a drink from the librewearian, and get lost in a new book while you enjoy the silence in the MouseTrap lounge above the brewery. Bring your library voices! King’s Bookstore will be on site for all your book buying needs. A drink purchase gives you a chance to win some award-nominated books.
Thursday, June 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Online panel: Creating short fiction collections
Join acclaimed short story writer Alexander MacLeod (Light Lifting, Animal Person) in conversation with the nominees for the award named for his father, the Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction: David Huebert (Chemical Valley), Amber McMillan (The Running Trees), and
Claire Wilkshire (The Love Olympics). Learn more about the intricacies of their characters’ lives as they weave their way in and out of these collections of short fiction.
Presented in partnership with the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia. To register: https://writers.ns.ca/writers-panel/abas-creating-short-fiction-collections/
Friday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library
Atlantic Book Awards Non-Fiction Double-Header, Part I: On (Auto)Biographical Writing
The journey of writing biographical and autobiographical works is profound. Join journalist and author Lindsay Ruck for a discussion with some of this year’s Atlantic Book Award nominees: Stephen Kimber (Alexa!: Changing the Face of Canadian Politics), Donna Morrissey (Pluck: A Memoir of a Newfoundland Childhood and the Raucous, Terrible, Amazing Journey to Becoming a Novelist), and Don Oliver (A Matter of Equality: The Life’s Work of Senator Don Oliver) as they explore the importance of writing that inspires others and challenges the status quo. Followed by the Sharing Our Stories panel. Presented in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries and the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
Friday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library
Atlantic Book Awards Non-Fiction Double-Header, Part II: Sharing Our Stories
Join journalist and author Pauline Dakin in conversation with Atlantic Book Award nominees Joanne Gallant (A Womb in the Shape of a Heart: My Story of Miscarriage and Motherhood), Susan MacLeod (Dying for Attention: A Graphic Memoir of Nursing Home Care), and Donna Morrissey (Pluck: A Memoir of a Newfoundland Childhood and the Raucous, Terrible, Amazing Journey to Becoming a Novelist) to discuss the experience of writing about challenging topics. These writers share intimate stories of navigating complicated systems and paradoxes in their lives. These deeply personal accounts are inspiring and insightful. Immediately follows the On (Auto)Biographical Writing panel. Presented in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries and the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
Saturday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Online panel
Small Town Mysteries
Pour a coffee and sign on for some Saturday morning storytelling with nominees of the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award (Fiction). Alexandra Harrington (The Last Time I Saw Her), C. S. Porter (Beneath Her Skin), and Colin Sweets Arsenault (Short Mercy) have all written riveting debut novels rife with mystery. Learn how small towns on the East Coast play a role in the works of these three authors. Moderated by Morgan Murray (Dirty Birds). Presented in partnership with the Cabot Trail Writers Festival and the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
To register: https://writers.ns.ca/writers-panel/abas-small-town-mysteries/
Saturday, June 4 at 6–9:00 p.m.
Memorial Hall, UNB, Fredericton, NB
New Brunswick Book Awards
In partnership with the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick and The Fiddlehead, the seventh annual New Brunswick Book Awards will be presented as part of WFNB’s annual WordSpring writing festival. Atlantic Book Award nominees Jodie Callaghan (The Train), Triny Finlay (Myself a Paperclip), Amber McMillan (The Running Trees), and Rebecca Salazar (Sulphurtongue) are all shortlisted for New Brunswick Book Awards. The event is free and open to the public starting with a reception at 6 p.m. and ceremony at 7 p.m.
Monday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. AST (7:00 p.m. NDT)
Online panel
Indigenous Voices
Please join us for a special presentation by nominees for this year’s Atlantic Book Awards. June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and honour the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada. Authors Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill (My Indian), Rebecca Thomas (Swift Fox All Along), and Jodie Callaghan (The Train) will come together to discuss Oral history and the importance of Indigenous people telling their own stories. This online panel will be hosted by Kelly Anne Butler, Indigenous Education Specialist at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Presented in partnership with Newfoundland Public Libraries.
To register: Click here
Monday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street
Nova Scotia Book Awards Ceremony
The inaugural Nova Scotia Book Awards ceremony, celebrating literary prizes open only to Nova Scotian authors. These provincial awards were previously awarded as part of the regional Atlantic Book Awards. The evening will feature readings by Nova Scotia actors from the five award-winning books as well as a reception and cash bar. Admission is free, though a contribution of $10 is suggested. Tickets are limited and must be secured in advance: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-inaugural-nova-scotia-book-awards-ceremony-tickets-328769657897.
Watch the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ROxaqNNlU
Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Online Panel
An Evening of Poetry
An evening of poetry readings and conversation featuring nominees for the J. M. Abraham Poetry Award: Alyda Faber (Poisonous if Eaten Raw), Triny Finlay (Myself a Paperclip), and Rebecca Salazar (Sulphurtongue). Hosted by musician, poet, performer and Prince Edward Island’s own Tanya Davis. Presented in Partnership with the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
To register: https://writers.ns.ca/writers-panel/aba-an-evening-of-poetry/
Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Online panel
Tough Topics in Children’s Literature
Join the nominees of the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature, Jodie Callaghan (The Train), Chad Lucas (Thanks a Lot, Universe), and Rebecca Thomas (Swift Fox All Along) as they discuss writing about tough topics for young readers and explore the challenge of turning difficult subjects into compelling children’s literature. This conversation will be hosted by acclaimed author Sheree Fitch, recipient of the 2020 Brimer Award for Everybody’s Different on EveryBody Street. Presented in Partnership with the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
To register: https://writers.ns.ca/writers-panel/aba-tough-topics-in-childrens-literature/
Thursday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m.
Room 301, Halifax Central Library
Research Rewarded
Valued at $30,000, the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award is one of Canada’s biggest book prizes. Join this year’s nominees Michelle Butler Hallett (Constant Nobody), David Huebert (Chemical Valley), and Sharon Robart-Johnson (Jude and Diana) for a discussion on the thorough research process behind their powerful storytelling. Moderated by award-winning novelist and short story writer, Carol Bruneau. Presented in partnership with Halifax Public Libraries and the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia.
Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library
Atlantic Book Awards Gala
The culmination of the Atlantic Book Awards Festival is the Atlantic Book Awards Gala. Seven book awards, including one of Canada’s biggest book prizes, will be presented along with the Atlantic Legacy Award, honouring an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement and encouragement of the literary arts in Atlantic Canada. The gala includes live music, light refreshments, cash bar, and special guest authors will be in attendance. Hosted by CTV’s Lataevia Beezer. This is a ticketed event. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atlantic-book-awards-gala-tickets-342234772417.
The awards ceremony will also be live streamed so book lovers across the region and beyond can join in the celebration. Visit www.atlanticbookawards.ca.