Vancouver, BC [March 21, 2016] – New Literary Award Recognizes the Best of Independent Publishing

This year’s Whistler Writers Festival, October 13–16, will include the presentation of the inaugural Independent Book Awards. The Whistler Independent Book Awards will be open to Canadian authors or permanent residents who have independently published a book or books in the last five years. There will be a single winner, with two additional finalists, in each of four categories: fiction, non-fiction, crime fiction and poetry. The shortlist will be selected by the Canadian Authors Association (Vancouver) and the three finalists in each category will be independently judged by a panel including a respected Canadian author or poet and an appointee of the Whistler WritingSociety. Judging the Fiction category will be author and translator Genni Gunn, whose most recent novel, Solitaria, was nominated for the 2011 Giller Prize. JJ Lee, whose debut book,The Measure of a Man, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, will judge the Non-Fiction category. Crime novelist, journalist and publisher Linda L. Richards will judge the Crime Fiction category, while former Vancouver Poet Laureate Evelyn Lau will judge the Poetry category.

Eligible authors can submit their entries to the Whistler Independent Book Awards until Friday, June 3, 2016. Submissions can be made via www.whistlerwritersfest.com and www.tidewaterfestival.com. All entries will be evaluated and authors not longlisted will receive a written assessment from the nomination committee. The Canadian Authors Association (Vancouver) will select the shortlist, and the twelve finalists, three in each category, will be notified by July 22. Finalists will receive a significant prize packageand will be invited to attend several Festival events, including the popular Literary Cabaret, where winners will be announced. There will be a cash prize of $500 in each category, and winners will participate in a Festival event or reading and will have their books retailed by Whistler’s Armchair Books for three months after the conclusion of the Festival.

Jointly produced by the Whistler WritingSociety and Vivalogue Publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards mark the evolution of independent publishing. While the industry has grown dramatically in the last decade, there have been no juried Canadian awards recognizing exceptional quality in these titles—until now. “These awards reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusiveness,” said festival organizer Stella Harvey. “We are proud to welcome accomplished independent authors to the Festival and to celebrate their work.”

Media Inquiries About the Awards: Contact Lynn Duncan, lynn@vivalogue.com or 604-522-6222

Media Inquiries About the Whistler Writers Festival: Contact Stella Harvey stella25@telus.net

About the Whistler Writers Festival:Now in its 15th year, the Whistler Writers Festival has hosted more than 100 leading Canadian authors. This year, the event runs from October 13 – 16. The Festival is organized by the Whistler WritingSociety, which also sponsors a Writer in Residence and Authors in Schools program.

About Vivalogue Publishing: Vivalogue offers comprehensive print and online publishing and editorial services for individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. In addition to its work with independent authors, Vivalogue partnered with Heritage House Publishing to create a new young adult imprint, Wandering Fox Books.StarBuzzOnline