The Next Chapter in Canadian Literature

Welcome to the latest issue of The Walrus Lab Insider, your regular update from the custom content team at The Walrus.

I’m Tracie Jones, the director of partnerships and sponsorships at The Walrus and the new head of The Walrus Lab. I’m looking forward to deepening the work we do through the Lab, building thoughtful collaborations that connect ideas and people, and exploring new ways to support meaningful conversations and projects.

In this edition, we’re pleased to share key highlights from the 2025 Amazon Canada First Novel Award ceremony, produced by The Walrus Lab.

A Legacy of Launching Canada’s Emerging Authors

The Amazon Canada First Novel Award is one of the country’s most prestigious literary prizes, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating exceptional debut novels by Canadian authors.

Since its inception in 1976, the award has played a vital role in spotlighting emerging voices, fostering new talent, and enriching Canada’s literary landscape. Over nearly five decades, it has helped launch the careers of numerous promising writers, bringing fresh stories and diverse perspectives to readers nationwide and beyond. The award is proudly co-presented by Amazon Canada and The Walrus.

A Night to Remember: The 49th Annual Ceremony

The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, June 5, at the Globe and Mail Centre. Hosted by Jennifer Hollett, executive director of The Walrus, the event featured celebrated Canadian author Mona Awad as the special guest speaker. Representatives from the publishing and writing communities gathered for the red-carpet ceremony, with the largest audience to date, to celebrate the shortlisted writers and winners.

The First Novel Award Goes To. . .

Valérie Bah, the Montreal-based author of Subterrane (Esplanade Books/Véhicule Press), was announced as the winner of the 2025 Amazon Canada First Novel Award.

Subterrane is a speculative comedy exploring Black and Queer voices pushed underground by urban prosperity. Set in New Stockholm, a city divided between affluence and neglected margins, the story follows Zeynab, whose government-funded documentary spotlights the city’s last affordable neighbourhoods and the mysterious death of activist Doudou Laguerre.

Bah received the $60,000 prize, while each of the shortlisted novelists was awarded $6,000.

Bah’s novel was chosen from a shortlist of six exceptional titles, including:

When We Were Ashes, Andrew Boden (Goose Lane Editions)
Juiceboxers, Benjamin Hertwig (Freehand Books)
Oil People, David Huebert (McClelland & Stewart)
How It Works Out, Myriam Lacroix (Doubleday Canada)
I Hope This Finds You Well, Natalie Sue (HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.)

Rising Star: Youth Short Story Winner

Now in its eighth year, the Youth Short Story category celebrates authors aged thirteen to seventeen who have written short stories under 3,000 words.

Seventeen-year-old Vicky Zhu, from Surrey, British Columbia, was chosen as the winner by the First Novel Award’s panel of judges. She received a $5,000 prize for her winning story, “Suzanne,” which will be published in The Walrus.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the remarkable talent showcased at the 2025 Amazon Canada First Novel Award. We’re proud to support these talented writers who are shaping the future of Canada’s storytelling.

Discover more about the winners and shortlisted authors in both categories at thewalrus.ca/afna.

Curious about anything you’ve read here? Or want to know more about how The Walrus Lab can support your strategic communications plans? Please reach out. I read every email and would love to chat further.

Tracie Jones

Director of Partnerships & Sponsorships

The Walrus Lab

tracie@thewalrus.ca

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