REGINA, SK. March 27, 2020 – Saskatchewan Book Awards Ceremony scheduled for April 25, 2020 postponed.
The Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) is postponing the 2020 SBA Awards Ceremony until further notice. In an announcement earlier today Board Chair, Donna Woloshyn noted “At this time the safety of the Saskatchewan community is paramount.” She added that SBA Executive Director Kam Teo will provide updates to stakeholders including the literary and publishing community as well as the Saskatchewan community at-large as soon as the Board has determined appropriate next steps. Regular updates will be posted on the SBA website and social media.
Anyone who has already purchased tickets for the event is encouraged to reach out to the SBA for more information about their options including a refund, use at a later date, or charitable donation to the organization.
- 30 –
For More Information Contact: Kam Teo, Executive Director
306-569-1585
Saskatchewan Book Awards recognizes, celebrates and rewards the excellence of Saskatchewan writers and publishers, building greater awareness of Saskatchewan books through 14 awards, granted at an annual Awards Ceremony. SBA is the only provincially-focused book awards program in Saskatchewan and a principal ambassador for Saskatchewan’s literary community. Its solid reputation for celebrating artistic excellence in style is recognized nationally.
SBA was founded in 1993 and celebrated its 25th Awards Ceremony in 2018. The shortlist is announced every February, followed by a series of readings to promote the authors and publishers on the shortlist. The awards are given out at the end of April at an annual Awards Ceremony.
Saskatchewan Book Awards Shortlist Announcement
The shortlist for the 27th Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) was announced today in Regina and Saskatoon at their respective city libraries.
Paul Seesaquasis has been shortlisted for four awards for his exquisitely written and beautifully photographed book, Blanket Toss Under the Midnight Sun. Newcomer Jason Heit is shortlisted for three awards for Kaidenberg’s Best Sons. Also shortlisted are previous winners Alexandra Popoff, Ed Willett, Candace Savage, and Harold Johnson.
“We are very excited about the 2020 Saskatchewan Book Awards shortlist,” says Executive Director, Kam Teo. “The shortlist represents Saskatchewan books that are remarkable for their diverse voices, compelling narrative, and exquisite writing.”
SBA was created in 1993 and is the only provincially-focused book awards program in Saskatchewan. It is an ambassador for the province’s literary community, with a nationally recognized reputation for celebrating writing excellence. The 13 award categories offered this year are diverse, representative of Saskatchewan’s literary production, and responsive to emerging areas of interest. Award winners are finalized through a selective jury process.
Award winners will be announced at the 27th Saskatchewan Book Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 25th, 2020, at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina. The ceremony will be hosted by Kris Alvarez, a Regina theatre artist, comedian, director, and popular MC. Tickets for the Awards Ceremony will be on sale after the shortlist announcement and can be purchased online through PayPal or by cheque. Get them at the early bird price of $60/ticket until the end of March. On April 1, tickets will be $75 each so act fast to get your tickets. Student tickets are also available for $35. Contact the Saskatchewan Book Awards at 306-569-1585 or by email at
Editors and News Directors: The shortlist is attached.
For more information, please visit bookawards.sk.ca or contact:
Kam Teo
Executive Director
(306) 569-1585
Awards for Writers
Regina Public Library Book of the Year Award
Strangers in the House: A Prairie Story of Bigotry and Belonging by Candace Savage (Greystone Books)
Voice: On Writing With Deafness by Adam Pottle (University of Regina Press)
Blanket Toss Under Midnight Sun by Paul Seesequasis (Knopf Canada)
Peace and Good Order: The Case for Indigenous Society in Canada by Harold R. Johnson (McClelland & Stewart)
Birds of Saskatchewan by Alan R. Smith, C. Stuart Houston, and J. Frank Roy, (eds.) (Nature Saskatchewan)
G. Murray & Edna Forbes Foundation Children’s Literature Award
Critters: UnderDark by Allan Dotson (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
The Underdog Duckling by Sally Meadows (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
When We Had Sled Dogs: A Story from the Trapline by Ida Tremblay and Miriam Koerner (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
The Haunting of Room 909: Junior Paranormal Investigators by Michael James (Hollow Hills, LLC)
The Absence of Sparrows by Kurt Kirchmeier (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Public Library Saskatoon Award
Kaidenberg’s Best Sons by Jason Heit (Coteau Books)
Voice: On Writing With Deafness by Adam Pottle (University of Regina Press)
At the Wolf’s Door by Chaz Osburn (Hellgate Press)
Blanket Toss Under the Midnight Sun by Paul Seesequasis (Penguin Random House Canada)
Strangers in the House: A Prairie Story of Bigotry and Belonging by Candace Savage (Greystone Books)
University of Saskatchewan, President’s Office, Non-Fiction Book Award
Blanket Toss Under the Midnight Sun by Paul Seesaquasis (Knopf Canada)
Vasily Grossman and the Soviet Century by Alexandra Popoff (Yale University Press)
Peace and Good Order: The Case for Indigenous Justice in Canada by Harold R. Johnson (McLelland & Stewart)
Strangers in the House: A Prairie Story of Bigotry and Belonging by Candace Savage (Greystone Books)
Birds of Saskatchewan by Alan R. Smith, C. Stuart Houston, and J. Frank Roy (Nature Saskatchewan)
Poetry Award
Phases by Belinda Betker (Coteau Books)
This Hole Called January by Paula Jane Remlinger (Thistledown Press)
The Dry Valley by Bernadette Wagner (Radiant Press)
University of Regina Faculty of Arts/University of Saskatchewan College of Arts & Science Jennifer Welsh Scholarly Writing Award
Vasily Grossman and the Soviet Century by Alexandra Popoff (Yale University Press)
Back to Blakeney: Revitalizing the Democratic State by David McGrane, John Whyte, Roy Romanow, Russell Isinger, (eds.) (University of Regina Press)
Imagining Child Welfare in the Spirit of Reconciliation by Dorothy Badry, H. Monty Montgomery, Daniel Kikulwe, Marlynn Bennett, and Don Fuchs, eds. (University of Regina Press)
Rasmussen & Co. Indigenous Peoples’ Writing Award
Bone Black by Carol Rose GoldenEagle (Nightwood Editions)
Peace and Good Order: The Case for Indigenous Justice in Canada by Harold R. Johnson (McClelland & Stewart)
Blanket Toss Under Midnight Sun by Paul Seesaquasis (Knopf Canada)
Wolf Woman: A Search for Identity by Beatrice (Wolfe) Wallace (Defend Dignity)
Surviving Domestic Violence: My Journey of Self-Care and Healing by Kendra Weenie (Self-Published)
Muslims for Peace and Justice Fiction Award
Bone Black by Carol Rose GoldenEagle (Nightwood Editions)
At the WoIf’s Door by Chaz Osburn (Hellgate Press)
Kaidenberg’s Best Sons by Jason Heit (Coteau Books)
Master of the World (Worldshapers: Book Two) by Edward Willett (DAW)
Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport First Book Award
Five Red Sentries by Raye Hendrickson (Thistledown Press}
Kaidenberg’s Best Sons by Jason Heit (Coteau Books)
Naked Dreams by Edgar Roland King (self-published)
Up From Garlic Flats by Victor Cicansky (Radiant Press)
The Absence of Sparrows by Kurt Kirchmeier (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
City of Regina Book Award
Critters: Underdark by Allan Dotson (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
Wide Open: A Searing Memoir of Sexual Assault and Recovery – by D.M. Ditson (Coteau Books) Five Red Sentries by Raye Hendrickson (Thistledown Press) A Walk in Wascana by Stephanie Vance (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
Publishing Awards
SaskBooks Publishing in Education Award
Frenemy Nations by Mary Soderstrom (University of Regina Press)
Performing Turtle Island: Indigenous Theatre on the World Stage by Jesse Rae Archibald-Barber, Kathleen Irwin, and Moira J. Day (eds) (University of Regina Press)
When We Had Sled Dogs: A Story from the Trapline by Ida Tremblay and Miriam Körner (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
Imagining Child Welfare in the Spirit of Reconciliation: Voices from the Prairies edited by Dorothy Badry, H. Monty Montgomery, Daniel Kikulwe, Marlyn Bennett and Don Fuchs (eds.) (University of Regina Press)
Lac Pelletier: My Métis Home, by Cecile Blanke (née LaRoque) (Gabriel Dumont Institute Press)
Creative Saskatchewan Publishing Award
In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott (University of Regina Press)
Phases by Belinda Betker (Coteau Books)
Black Writers Matter by Whitney French (ed.) (University of Regina Press)
Angry Queer Somali Boy: A Complicated Memoir by Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali (University of Regina Press)
When We Had Sled Dogs, A Story from the Trapline by Ida Tremblay and Miriam Körner (Your Nickel's Worth Publishing)
Saskatoon Public Library Indigenous Peoples’ Publishing Award
The Voyageurs: Forefathers of the Metis Nation by Zoey Roy (Gabriel Dumont Institute Press)
Performing Turtle Island: Indigenous Theatre on the World Stage edited by Jesse Archibald-Barber, Kathleen Irwin, and Moira J. Day (eds.) (University of Regina Press)
In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott (University of Regina Press)
No Surrender: The Land Remains Indigenous by Sheldon Krasowski (University of Regina Press)
Adam’s Tree by Gloria Mehlmann (Radiant Press)