SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE 2012 ANNOUNCES ITS LONGLIST

TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize jury today announced its longlist of books in the running for this year's award. The jury selected 13 titles out of 142 books, put forward by 51 publishers, from every region of Canada.

This year's jury is made up of Irish author and screen writer Roddy Doyle (Dublin, Ireland); Canadian publisher, writer and essayist Anna Porter (Toronto, Canada); and American author and satirist Gary Shteyngart (New York City, USA).

From a large and highly competitive field, the Scotiabank Giller Prize jury selected the following titles for this year's longlist:

• Marjorie Celona for her novel Y, published by Hamish Hamilton Canada
• Lauren B. Davis for her novel Our Daily Bread, published by HarperCollins Canada
• Cary Fagan for his short story collection My Life Among the Apes, published by Cormorant Books
• Will Ferguson for his novel 419, published by Viking Canada
• Robert Hough for his novel Dr. Brinkley's Tower, published by House of Anansi Press
• Billie Livingston for her novel One Good Hustle, published by Random House Canada
• Annabel Lyon for her novel The Sweet Girl, published by Random House Canada
• Alix Ohlin for her novel Inside, published by House of Anansi Press
• Katrina Onstad for her novel Everybody Has Everything, published by McClelland & Stewart
• CS Richardson for his novel The Emperor of Paris, published by Doubleday Canada
• Nancy Richler for her novel The Imposter Bride, published by HarperCollins Canada
• Kim Thúy for her novel Ru, translated by Sheila Fischman, published by Random House Canada
• Russell Wangersky for his short story collection Whirl Away, published by Thomas Allen Publishers

Of the longlist, the jury writes:

"We are delighted with this wonderfully diverse collection of fiction by formidably talented writers offering us the exciting, varied landscapes of their imagination. The language of these books - some lyrical, others earthy, or soulful, dramatic, hushed, or loud - invites you to share stories you will want to follow 'til the last word. We know they will stay with you, as they have stayed with us."

Readers' Choice 2012

For the second year in a row, the prize, with its broadcast partner CBC, launched a campaign inviting the public to choose their favourite book from a list of fiction eligible for the 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

The Readers' Choice contest on CBC Books received thousands of nominations from passionate readers throughout August. The 10 most-nominated books were put to a public vote, in which voters decided this year's popular choice. The Readers' Choice selection was The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair, published by Penguin Canada.

The names of the Scotiabank Giller Prize finalists will be revealed at a news conference in Toronto on Monday, October 1^st. The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony in Toronto on Tuesday, October 30^th during a live broadcast on CBC Television.