2021 Book Awards: Shortlists

The League of Canadian Poets is proud to present the 2021 Book Awards Shortlists, including the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award, the Pat Lowther Memorial Award, and the Raymond Souster Award.


2021 GERALD LAMPERT MEMORIAL AWARD SHORTLIST

Awarded annually since 1981, the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award is given in the memory of Gerald Lampert, an arts administrator who organized author tours and took a particular interest in the work of new writers. The award recognizes a first book of poetry published by a Canadian writer in the preceding year. The award carries a $2000 prize and is sponsored by the LCP.

Thank you to the 2020-2021 jurors of the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award: Nisha Patel, DA Lockhart & Phoebe Wang!

The Response of Weeds by Bertrand Bickersteth (NeWest Press)

the gospel of breaking by Jillian Christmas (Arsenal Pulp Press)

I Am Still Your Negro by Valerie Mason-John (University of Alberta Press)

Where Things Touch by Bahar Orang (Book*hug Press)

Bones by Tyler Pennock (Brick Book)

bittersweet by Natasha Ramoutar (Mawenzi House)

See the Press package including author photos, bios, and juror comments: 2021 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award Shortlist


2021 PAT LOWTHER MEMORIAL AWARD SHORTLIST

The Pat Lowther Memorial Award is given for a book of poetry by a woman in Canada, and is in memory of the late Pat Lowther, whose career was cut short by her untimely death in 1975.  The award carries a $2,000 prize. This award is inclusive of trans women and non-binary individuals who feel comfortable being recognized by a women’s prize.

Thank you to the 2020-2021 jurors of the Pat Lowther Memorial Award: Doyali Islam, Cassidy McFadzean and Puneet Dutt!

Burning Sugar by Cicely Belle Blain (Arsenal Pulp Press)

sick by Jody Chan (Black Lawrence Press)

the gospel of breaking by Jillian Christmas (Arsenal Pulp Press)

Body Count by Kyla Jamieson (Nightwood Editions)

Walking Ground by shalan joudry (Gaspereau Press)

Washes, Prays by Noor Naga (McClelland & Stewart)

See the Press package including author photos, bios, and juror comments: 2021 Pat Lowther Memorial Award Shortlist


2021 RAYMOND SOUSTER SHORTLIST

The Raymond Souster Award is given for a book of poetry by a League of Canadian Poets member. The award honours Raymond Souster, an early founder of the League of Canadian Poets. The award carries a $2,000 prize.

Thank you to the 2020-2021 jurors of the Raymond Souster Award: Jacob MacArthur Mooney, Cheryl Antao-Xavier and David Martin!

The Outer Wards by Sadiqa de Meijer (Vehiculde Press/Signal Poetry)

Hell Light Flesh by Klara du Plessis (Palimpest Press)

The Fool by Jessie Jones (Goose Lane Editions)

Burning Province by Michael Prior (McClelland & Stewart)

Junebat by John Elizabeth Stintzi (House of Anansi Press)

Word Problems by Ian Williams (Coach House Books)

See the Press package including author photos, bios, and juror comments: 2021 Raymond Souster Award Shortlist


2021-2022 Jurors 

Thank you to our jurors, for all your hard work and careful reading of the incredible poetry released last year!