Aaand they’re off! It’s the Rogers Writers’ Trust first out of the gate, with the Giller close behind and the Governor General’s Literary Awards coming up fast. Whatever you think of the growth of “prize culture,” in Canada autumn is the season of words on the page, Word on the Street, and the hope, speculation, and intrigue of our major literary competitions. It’s a season when CanLit captures the attention of the public more than ever.

Here’s the shortlist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize (winner to be announced Nov 1^st):

Clark Blaise, The Meagre Tarmac

Michael Christie, The Beggar’s Garden

Patrick deWitt, The Sisters Brothers

Esi Edugyan, Half-Blood Blues

Dan Vyleta, The Quiet Twin

And the shortlist for this year’s Scotiabank Giller Prize (winner to be announced Nov 8^th):

David Bezmozgis, The Free World

Lynn Coady, The Antagonist

Patrick deWitt, The Sisters Brothers

Esi Edugyan, Half-Blood Blues

Zsuzsi Gartner, Better Living Through Plastic Explosives

Michael Ondaatje, The Cat’s Table

 Keep an eye out for the GG finalists in 7 categories, to be released October 11^th with winners announced Nov 15^th. Let the betting begin.