The winners of the Alberta Book Publishing Awards were announced on Sept. 17 in a virtual event.

Two new award categories were introduced this year. The debut winner of the regional book of the year, which celebrates books that exemplify unique perspectives of Alberta, was Borderlands by Mark Vitaris, published by Frontenac House. The inaugural award for graphic novel of the year was won by Awkward Pause by Ryan Harby, published by Renegade Arts Entertainment.

The following is the list of winners:

Trade Nonfiction Book of the Year
An Autobiography of the Autobiography of Reading, Dionne Brand (University of Alberta Press)

Speculative Fiction Book of the Year
In Veritas, C.J. Lavigne (NeWest Press)

Robert Kroetsch Award for Poetry
Nautilus and Bone, Lisa Richter (Frontenac House)

Graphic Novel of the Year
Awkward Pause, Ryan Harby (Renegade Arts Entertainment)

Children’s and Young Adult Book of the Year
Howdy, I’m John Ware, Ayesha Clough and Hugh Rookwood, illus. (Red Barn Books)

Regional Book of the Year
Borderlands, Mark Vitaris (Frontenac House)

Scholarly and Academic Book of the Year
Our Whole Gwich’in Way of Life Has Changed / Gwich’in K’yuu Gwiidandài’ Tthak Ejuk Gòonlih: Stories from the People of the Land, Leslie McCartney and Gwich’in Tribal Council (University of Alberta Press)

Learning Book of the Year
The Educational Assistant’s Guide to Supporting Inclusion in a Diverse Society, Carole Massing, Bonnie Anderson and Carol Anderson (Brush Education)

Book Cover Design
The End of Me, John Gould (Freehand Books)
Design by Natalie Olsen  (Kisscut Design)

Book Illustration
A Brush with Depth, Rick Sealock (Frontenac House)

Book Design
If Sylvie Had Nine Lives, Leona Theis (Freehand Books)
Design by Natalie Olsen (Kisscut Design)

Lois Hole Award for Editorial Excellence
One Madder Woman, Dede Crane (Freehand Books)
Edited by Deborah Willis

Special Achievement in Publishing
The Centre for Equitable Library Access
The National Network for Equitable Library Service