The City of Calgary, the Writers Guild of Alberta, and Uptown 17th Avenue Business Revitalization Zone revealed the shortlist for the 2011 City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize.

The finalists are:

• Betty Jane Hegerat, The Boy (Oolichan Books)
• Suzette Mayr, Monoceros (Coach House Books)
• Cathy Ostlere, Karma (Puffin Canada)

The $5,000 prize is awarded annually to an “outstanding” book of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, drama, or children’s literature by a current or former resident of Calgary. Last year’s recipient was Clem and Olivier Martini for their graphic memoir Bitter Medicine (Freehand Books).

The award will be presented at the Calgary Awards on June 13, 2012.