Literary Awards
Started in 1993, the Hamilton Literary Awards is presented annually to recognize and celebrate published authors from the Greater Hamilton Area and Six Nations of the Grand River. Awards are presented across five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Children’s Literature, and an honorary award named in the legacy of the late literary scholar, Kerry J. Schooley, in recognition of literature that is evocative of the City of Hamilton.
In 2023, Hamilton Arts Council formalized a partnership with GritLIT: Hamilton's Readers and Writers Festival and Hamilton Public Library to present the Awards to audiences across the province!
Categories
KERRY SCHOOLEY BOOK AWARD
Each year, awards are presented across five categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Children's Literature, and an honourary category that recognizes books that are evocative of the City of Hamilton, named in legacy of Kerry J. Schooley.
Applications
The shortlist in each category is as follows:
Fiction
A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara
Scandal at the Alphorn Factory: New and Selected Short Fiction, 2024–1984 by Gary Barwin
Unthinkable by Brent van Staalduinen
Non-Fiction
Broken: How far would you go for a dog that you love? by Michelle Stark
Marrow Memory: Essays of Discovery by Margaret Nowaczyk
Mohawk Warriors, Hunters & Chiefs | Kanien'kehá:ka Ronterí:ios, Rontó:rats & Rotiiá:ner (English/Mohawk) by Tom Wilson Tehoháhake, co-authored by David Liss
Mosaic Through East-Facing Glass by Marg Heidebrecht
Outdoor Magic: The Power of Nature Connection by Grant Douglas Linney
Poetry
Alien Phonics Primer by Darrell Epp
As Is by Ben Robinson
West of West Indian by Linzey Corridon
Kerry Schooley Book Award
As Is by Ben Robinson
Marrow Memory: Essays of Discovery by Margaret Nowaczyk
Mosaic Through East-Facing Glass by Marg Heidebrecht
Children’s Literature
Blue to the Sky by Sylvia McNicoll
My Grammie's House by Lana Button
The Go-Between by Jennifer Maruno
2025 SHORTLISTED BOOKS
Fiction Award
Award Recipient announced soon
Non-Fiction Award
Award Recipient announced soon
Children's Literature Award
Award Recipient announced soon
Poetry Award
Award Recipient announced soon
