Guest Author - Betty Dobson

The 2004 Atlantic Writing Awards were held May 21st at the Alderney Landing Theatre, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as part of the 12-day Atlantic Book Festival. This year, 21 books competed in eight categories. All nominees deserved applause for their achievements, but only eight authors walked away with awards at the end of the evening.

Ann Connor Brimer Children's Literature Prize
(sponsored by the Nova Scotia Library Association)
Don Aker, The First Stone












Aker's novel explores the world of random violence and the toll such an act takes on the victim. A twist of fate draws victim and perpetrator together in a tenuous bond that could provide healing or deeper hurt.

Atlantic Independent Booksellers' Choice Award
David Adams Richards, River of the Brokenhearted

River of the Brokenhearted

This multigenerational novel spins a tale of small town scandal, prejudice and deceit triggered by issues of religion and gender. Also nominated for the Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize.

Atlantic Poetry Prize
Brian Bartlett, Wanting the Day

Wanting the Day: Selected Poems
Wanting the Day seizes the day in this year's poetry category. Brian Bartlett's collection includes a selection of poems from previous publications as well as two award-winning pieces.

Best Atlantic Published Book
(administered by the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association)
Stephen Archibald and Sheila Stevenson, Heritage Houses of Nova Scotia








This newly created award honors "the Atlantic Canadian publisher and the author of the book which contributes most to the understanding of Atlantic Canada." Heritage Houses of Nova Scotia presents an overview of 250 years worth of Nova Scotia's architectural heritage.

Dartmouth Fiction Award
Leo McKay, Twenty-Six

Twenty-Six

McKay's first novel presents a fictional account of the 1992 Westray mining disaster from the perspective of the Burrows family. Also nominated for the Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize and eligible for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award.

Dartmouth Non-Fiction Award
Elizabeth Pacey, Miracle on Brunswick Street











Pacey's book tells the story of a group of German-speaking immigrants who came to the Halifax, Nova Scotia, over 250 years ago. They first established the Little Dutch Church and, as the congregation grew, built St. George's Church. Both buildings stand as National Historic Sites and testaments to the people behind their construction.

Evelyn Richardson Prize for Non-Fiction
Harry Thurston, Island of the Blessed: the Secrets of Egypt's Everlasting Oasis










Well beyond the Nile and popular views of ancient and contemporary Egypt lies "the everlasting oasis" Dakhleh. Thurston recounts the efforts and findings of a group of archaeologists as they explore the "tiny island of green" that has existed for nearly half a million years.

Margaret and John Savage First Book Award
Beth Ryan, What is Invisible










Ryan's first short story collection is filled with tales of truth and unpredictability. All stories in this book are set in St. John's, Newfoundland. Also a runner-up for Best Atlantic Published Book.

Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize
Kenneth J. Harvey, The Town That Forgot How to Breathe












Harvey's fifth novel introduces readers to the residents of Bareneed, Newfoundland, a community cut off from society and tradition. A bizarre condition takes away their ability to breathe and, one by one, they fall victim to the malady.