ReLit Awards
りーりっとしょう
Annual literary award targeting independent publishers in Canada. Recognizes book-length works in novel, poetry, and short fiction categories.
- Established
- 2000
- Organizer
- ReLit Awards (Founded: Kenneth J. Harvey. Operated by Katherine Alexandra Harvey since 2021)
- Category
- Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
- Selection Method
- Open call
- Target
- Open
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around July
- Status
- Active
Description
ReLit Awards is a Canadian literary award founded in 2000 by Kenneth J. Harvey, primarily targeting book-length works of novels, poetry, and short fiction published by independent presses, awarded annually. The slogan is “Ideas, Not Money”, and since 2003, a silver ring designed by Christopher Kearney has been given instead of prize money. It is typically characterized by a very long longlist, and some years do not narrow it down to a shortlist of finalists. No announcements were made from 2018–2020, but in 2021 the management changed (to Katherine Alexandra Harvey) and winners/shortlists for the missed years were published. A temporary suspension has been announced since 2023 due to funding difficulties.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Basically no cash prize. Since 2003, a silver ring designed by Christopher Kearney is awarded. In the founding early period (first 2 years), a nominal 1 Canadian dollar was given.
- Silver ring (by Christopher Kearney)
- Nominal prize money in founding early period: 1 Canadian dollar (2001–2002)
- Increased recognition from winning; since 2021, expansion of mentor program and collaborations with online journals
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination / Application reception | Nominations by publishers or related parties (procedures differ by year) | — | Nominations are accepted on the official website etc. and reflected in longlist creation |
| Longlist (very longlist) / Shortlist as needed | Panel of judges selected each year (writers, editors, critics, etc.) | — | Characterized by publishing a long longlist; shortlist announced in some years |
| Final selection / Winner determination | Final judging committee (composed each year) | — | Winners announced on official website and major media (CBC, Quill & Quire, etc.) |
Criteria
- Literary value (originality of style and expression)
- Work's completeness (composition and editing as a book)
- Depth and originality of themes
- Books published by independent presses are often the target of evaluation
Application Tips
Dos
- Always check the entry requirements, deadline, and format for the target year on the official website
- Confirm that the work matches the target category (novel/poetry/short fiction)
- Collaborate with the publisher (especially independent publishers) to submit accurate publication information
- Prepare the format as a completed book (editing, binding information, etc.)
Don''ts
- Do not submit draft manuscripts that do not meet application requirements
- Do not only engage in excessive commercial promotion (literary merit is emphasized)
- Do not ignore the format or submission method
From Judges
- Tendency to emphasize originality and literary completeness
- Works that fear no risks and assert a clear voice or perspective are more likely to be highly evaluated
- Collaborating with the publisher to prepare accurate publication information makes the judging process smoother
Related Awards
- Scotiabank Giller Prize (Giller Prize)
- Governor General's Awards (Governor General's Literary Awards)
- Other literary awards for independent publishers and regional literary awards