The Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature is currently accepting applications for its 2015 edition!
The Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature is a literary award and readership initiative established by CODE with the generous support of Canadian philanthropist William (Bill) Burt and the Literary Prizes Foundation. The Burt Award is given annually to English-language literary works for Young Adults written by First Nations, Métis or Inuit authors.
The deadline is February 16, 2015. Eligible manuscripts and books published in English between 15 February 2013 and 14 February 2015 must reach the Canada Council for the Arts no later than the deadline date.
Late submissions, incomplete submissions and registration forms submitted by fax or email will not be accepted.
Prize Amount
Up to three prizes will be awarded to the writer, translator and graphic novel illustrator (if applicable) of the winning books:
- First Prize of $12,000
- Second Prize of $8,000
- Third Prize of $5,000
The publishers of each winning title will be awarded a guaranteed purchase of a minimum of 2,500 copies of each winning book, purchased at a bulk discount. The copies purchased by the program will be distributed to various schools, libraries, communities and Friendship Centres that serve First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada.
Eligibility is by nomination only.
Eligibility of Publishers
Only eligible book publishers operating in Canada can submit titles for consideration. Publishers must:
- publish books based on an editorial selection process
- have at least four titles in print and be committed to a sustained trade book publishing program, consisting of titles by a variety of writers
- pay royalties or financially compensate the writer, translator and illustrator (if applicable) for any submitted title
- use appropriate and effective means to market, distribute and create public awareness of their titles; and
- meet basic professional standards of publishing.
The publisher may publish a maximum of 25% each year of publications written by owners, family or employees of the publishing house.
Eligibility of Writers, Translators and Graphic Novel Illustrators
Writers, translators and graphic novel illustrators must be First Nation, Métis or Inuk. They must be Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. They do not need to be living in Canada when they are nominated.
For more information, please contact:
Lori Knoll
Program Officer
Writing and Publishing Section
1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 5573
lori.knoll@canadacouncil.ca
TTY: 1-866-585-5559