Finalists Revealed for Amazon Canada’s 2025 First Novel Award

Amazon Canada and The Walrus have announced the shortlist for the 49th annual First Novel Award, spotlighting six debut Canadian authors.

The winner will be revealed at a live ceremony in Toronto on Thursday, June 5, 2025, hosted by The Walrus executive director Jennifer Hollett. Special guest speaker will be acclaimed novelist Mona Awad, who won the same award in 2016.

Each finalist will receive $6,000, while the winner takes home $60,000.

Here are the 2025 First Novel Award finalists:

• Subterrane by Valérie Bah (Esplanade Books/Véhicule Press)
• When We Were Ashes by Andrew Boden (Goose Lane Editions)
• Juiceboxers by Benjamin Hertwig (Freehand Books)
• Oil People by David Huebert (McClelland & Stewart)
• How It Works Out by Myriam Lacroix (Doubleday Canada)
• I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (HarperCollins)

The ceremony will also honour young writers in the Youth Short Story category, which is now in its eighth year. The top youth entry receives $5,000, while five other finalists get $500 each.

Youth Short Story Award finalists:

• Emma Chappel – “Lost Boy”
• Willow Greenfield – “Autumn Nights”
• Thivya Jeyapalan – “In The Chair”
• Victoria Nguyen – “Heed My Prayers”
• Abbie Pasowisty – “The Colour of Your Thoughts”
• Vicky Zhu – “Suzanne”

Judging this year’s competition are Canadian authors Jean Marc Ah-Sen, Liz Harmer, Chelene Knight, and Shani Mootoo.

The Amazon Canada First Novel Award honours the top debut novel published in English by a Canadian citizen or resident. It was first launched in 1976 by Books in Canada magazine and has changed sponsors over time. Amazon became the main sponsor in 2001 and has fully managed the award since 2009, in partnership with The Walrus.

The First Novel Award has helped launch the careers of major Canadian writers, including Michael Ondaatje, Joy Kogawa, and last year’s winner, Alicia Elliott.