Vancouver Island University writing professor and poet Sonnet L’Abbé

The Meet the Presses collective has revealed the finalists for this year’s bpNichol Chapbook Award, which presents $4,000 annually to the author – and $500 to the publisher – of an exceptional poetry chapbook released in Canada the year prior.

A jury comprising Helen Guri and Hoa Nguyen selected the following shortlist from more than 60 submissions:

• Dana Claxton, The Patient Storm (above/ground press)
• Doris Fiszer, The Binders (Tree Press)
• Stevie Howell, Summer (Desert Pets Press)
• Sonnet L’Abbé, Anima Canadensis (Junction Books)
• Nanci Lee, Preparation (FreeFall Literary Society of Calgary)
• Renee Sarojini Saklikar, After the Battle of Kingsway, the bees (above/ground)

The winner will be announced at the Meet the Presses Indie Literary Market at Toronto’s Trinity–St. Paul’s Centre on Nov. 18.