Two Daves among six nominees for McNally Book of the Year

NOVELS by the two big Daves of the Winnipeg literary scene are among six nominees for Manitoba's annual McNally Robinson Book of the Year.

David Bergen's The Age of Hope and Dave Williamson's Dating are likely the favourites for the $5,000 prize, which will be handed out a ceremony April 28 at the West End Cultural Centre.

The Manitoba Writers' Guild, which sponsors the awards in conjunction with the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, released the short lists for 12 categories on Thursday.

Free Press reporter Bill Redekop's book Dams of Contention: The Rafferty-Alameda Story and the Birth of Canadian Environmental Law, received nominations in two categories, best non-fiction and best book by a Manitoba publisher.

McNally Robinson Book of the Year

The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins Canada

Dating by Dave Williamson, published by Turnstone Press

The House on Sugarbush Road by Méira Cook, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications

Imagining Winnipeg: History through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, by Esyllt W. Jones, published by University of Manitoba Press

Monstrance by Sarah Klassen, published by Turnstone Press

Whitetail Shooting Gallery by Annette Lapointe, published by Anvil Press

Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction

Creation and Transformation: Defining Movements in Inuit Art by Darlene Coward Wight, published by Douglas and MacIntyre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery

Dams of Contention by Bill Redekop, published by Heartland Associates

On the Fly: A Hockey Fan's View from the 'Peg by Wayne Tefs, published by Turnstone Press

Racialized Policing by Elizabeth Comack, published by Fernwood Publishing

Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry/Prix Lansdowne de poésie

Marchand d'intensité by Laurent Poliquin, published by L'Harmattan

Monstrance by Sarah Klassen, published by Turnstone Press

The Politics of Knives by Jonathan Ball, published by Coach House Books

Best Illustrated Book of the Year

7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Alexander Robertson, illustrations by Scott B. Henderson, design by Relish New Brand Experience, published by Highwater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press.

Imagining Winnipeg: History through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, by Esyllt W. Jones, design by Doowah Design, published by University of Manitoba Press

Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond, photographs by Mike Grandmaison, design by Jamis Paulson, published by Turnstone Press

Romulus + Remus: Issue 1 written, illustrated, and published by Scott Ford

Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award

The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins

Dating: A Novel by Dave Williams, published by Turnstone Press

Imagining Winnipeg: History Through the Photographs of L. B. Foote by Esyllt W. Jones, published by University of Manitoba Press

What You Get at Home by Dora Dueck, published by Turnstone Press

Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book

All Things Considered by Joan-Dianne Smith, published by Goldfish Publishing

Sonar by Kristian Enright, published by Turnstone Press

Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer

Kristian Enright

Kevin Marc Fournier

Katherena Vermette

Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year

Bedtime Stories for the Edge of the World by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, design by Lisa Friesen (Winnipeg Art Gallery), calligraphy by Nicole Coulson, published by ARP Books

I Know Who You Remind Me Of, stories by Naomi K. Lewis, design by Relish New Brand Experience, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications

The Marsh Keepers Journey: the Story of Ducks Unlimited Canada by Bruce Batt, design by Jeope Wolfe, published by Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Warehouse Journal Vol. 21 co-edited by Nicole Hunt and Brandon Bergem, designed and published by the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Architecture

The Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction

The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins Canada

Eleven Pipers Piping by C. C. Benison, published by Doubleday Canada

The House on Sugarbush Road by Méira Cook, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications

The Only Man in the World by Faith Johnston, published by Turnstone Press

Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

What You Get at Home by Dora Dueck, published by Turnstone Press

Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher

Dams of Contention: The Rafferty-Alameda Story and the Birth of Canadian Environmental Law by Bill Redekop, design by Dawn Huck, published by Heartland Associates

Food for the Gods: An Epikurean Epic by Karen Dudley, cover design by Doowah Design, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

Imagining Winnipeg: History Through the Photographs of L.B. Foote by Esyllt W. Jones, design by Doowah Design, published by University of Manitoba Press

Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond, photographs by Mike Grandmaison, text by Jan Volney, design by Jamis Paulson, published by Turnstone Press

Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, cover design by Jamis Paulson, interior design by Sharon Caseburg, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award -- Older Category

7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Alexander Robertson, published by Highwater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press

The Green-Eyed Queen of Suicide City by Kevin Marc Fournier, published by Great Plains Teen Fiction

The Last Song by Eva Wiseman, published by Tundra Books

Le Prix littéraire Rue-Deschambault

Les enfants de Tantale par Lise Gaboury-Diallo, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

Poème Pierre Prière par J.R. Léveillé, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

La Révolution Tranquille par Raymond - M. Hebert, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

Li Revinant par Rhéal Cenerini, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 16, 2013 G4