Three winners have been announced for Rakuten Kobo’s sixth annual Emerging Writer Prize.

Debut authors in three categories – non-fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction – each received a $10,000 prize and promotional, marketing, and communications support from Rakuten Kobo.

The winners were selected from a shortlist chosen by a team of booksellers – with book completion rates, customer ratings, and reviews taken into consideration.

Non-fiction: Métis-Cree author Jesse Thistle for his memoir From The Ashes, published by Simon & Schuster Canada.

Literary fiction: Zalika Reid-Benta for her linked story collection Frying Plantain, published by House of Anansi Press.

Speculative fiction: J.R. McConvey for his collection Different Beasts, published by Goose Lane Editions.