2023 Alberta Book Publishing Awards Winners
The Book Publishers Association of Alberta is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Alberta Book Publishing Awards. These awards celebrate the essential role Alberta book publishers play in supporting authors and telling Alberta’s Story. As the critical middle piece of the storytelling process, Alberta book publishers enrich and sustain the cultural and social landscape of our province and we are proud to highlight their achievements.
The awards gala was hosted at the Matrix Hotel in Edmonton, and over 130 delegates from across Canada gathered to celebrate the Alberta book publishing industry. A total of 17 awards were presented and we would like to congratulate all of the winning and shortlisted publishers, authors, and designers.
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Douglas Barbour Award for Speculative Fiction
NeWest Press for Ezra’s Ghosts by Darcy Tamayose
Ezra's Ghosts: Stories Darcy Tamayose
Published: Apr 15, 2022 by NeWest Press
Darcy Tamayose 
Published: Apr 15, 2022 by NeWest Press
ISBN: 9781774390474
Graphic Novel of the Year
Renegade Arts Entertainment for King Warrior by Jay Bulckaert, Erika Nyyssonen, and Halima Muhamud, illustrated by Lucas Green
King Warrior Jay Bulckaert
Published: Sep 14, 2022 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
Jay Bulckaert , Erika Nyyssonen
Published: Sep 14, 2022 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
ISBN: 9781989754146
Mystery and Thriller Book of the Year
NeWest Press for To Those Who Killed Me by J.T. Siemens
To Those Who Killed Me J.T. Siemens
Published: Apr 01, 2022 by NeWest Press
J.T. Siemens
Published: Apr 01, 2022 by NeWest Press
ISBN: 9781774390436
Trade Fiction Book of the Year
NeWest Press for Ezra’s Ghosts by Darcy Tamayose
Ezra's Ghosts: Stories Darcy Tamayose
Published: Apr 15, 2022 by NeWest Press
Darcy Tamayose
Published: Apr 15, 2022 by NeWest Press
ISBN: 9781774390474
Book Cover Design
Freehand Books for Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell, cover design by Natalie Olsen
Who Has Seen the Wind: 75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition W.O. Mitchell
Published: Nov 08, 2022 by Freehand Books
W.O. Mitchell
Published: Nov 08, 2022 by Freehand Books
ISBN: 9781990601125
Book Illustration
Renegade Arts Entertainment for Alberta Comics: Home edited by Alexander Finbow, Shea Proulx, and Emily Pomeroy, illustrated by various artists
Alberta Comics: Home Published: Sep 14, 2022 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
Jillian Fleck
Published: Sep 14, 2022 by Renegade Arts Entertainment
ISBN: 9781989754160
Lois Hole Award for Editorial Excellence
NeWest Press for There Are Wolves Here Too by Niall Howell, edited by Claire Kelly
There Are Wolves Here Too
Niall Howell
Published: September 2022 by NeWest Press
ISBN: 978177439059
Special Achievement in Publishing Award
Read Alberta’s very own founding team: Anna Boyar, Heather Lohnes, and Karyn Wisselink!
Learning Book of the Year
University of Alberta Press for Canadian Performance Documents and Debates edited by Anthony J. Vickery, Glen F. Nichols, and Allana C. Lindgren
Canadian Performance Documents and Debates: A Sourcebook Published: Aug 24, 2022 by University of Alberta Press
Published: Aug 24, 2022 by University of Alberta Press
ISBN: 9781772126044
Robert Kroetsch Award for Poetry
Frontenac House for Transcribing Moonlight by Skylar Kay
Transcribing Moonlight Skylar Kay
Published: by Frontenac House Ltd.
Skylar Kay
Published: by Frontenac House Ltd.
ISBN: 9781989466346
Children’s & Young Adult
Book of the Year
Red Barn Books for Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue by Ayesha Clough, illustrated by Hugh Rookwood with Keegan Starlight
Howdy, I'm Flores LaDue Ayesha Clough
Published: Mar 08, 2022 by Red Barn Books
Ayesha Clough
Published: Mar 08, 2022 by Red Barn Books
ISBN: 9781989915042
Scholarly and Academic
Book of the Year
Athabasca University Press for Memory and Landscape edited by Kenneth L. Pratt and Scott A. Heyes
Memory and Landscape: Indigenous Responses to a Changing North Published: Oct 31, 2022 by Athabasca University Press
Published: Oct 31, 2022 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771993159
Trade Non-Fiction Book of the Year
Freehand Books for Modern Fables by Mikka Jacobsen
Modern Fables Mikka Jacobsen
Published: Sep 01, 2022 by Freehand Books
Mikka Jacobsen
Published: Sep 01, 2022 by Freehand Books
ISBN: 9781990601217
Regional Book of the Year
University of Calgary Press for A Stunning Backdrop by Mary Graham
A Stunning Backdrop: Alberta in the Movies, 1917-1960 Mary Graham
Published: Oct 31, 2022 by University of Calgary Press
Mary Graham
Published: Oct 31, 2022 by University of Calgary Press
ISBN: 9781773853932
Book Design
Athabasca University Press for Memory and Landscape edited by Kenneth L. Pratt and Scott A. Heyes, cover design by Marvin Harder, interior design by Natalie Olsen (Kisscut Design)
Memory and Landscape: Indigenous Responses to a Changing North Published: Oct 31, 2022 by Athabasca University Press
Published: Oct 31, 2022 by Athabasca University Press
ISBN: 9781771993159
Mel Hurtig Publisher of the Year
Lifetime Achievement in Publishing Award
George Melnyk, former publisher of NeWest Press