Kerry Lee Powell, Michael Helm among Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalists

TORONTO – Montreal-born Kerry Lee Powell could walk away with a pair of literary prizes this fall after being named as a finalist for the $25,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize.

The Moncton, N.B.-based author is being honoured for her short-story collection “Willem De Kooning’s Paintbrush” (Harper Avenue, an imprint of HarperCollins), which was recently longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Michael Helm of Dundas, Ont., was recognized for “After James” (McClelland & Stewart) while Vancouver novelist Anosh Irani was honoured for “The Parcel” (Knopf Canada).

Rounding out the list of finalists are Victoria’s Yasuko Thanh for “Mysterious Fragrance of the Yellow Mountains” (Hamish Hamilton) and Winnipeg’s Katherena Vermette for “The Break” (House of Anansi Press).

A jury composed of writers Lauren B. Davis, Trevor Ferguson and Pasha Malla read 135 books submitted by 55 publishers.

Each of the finalists will receive $2,500, and this year’s prize winner will be announced during a ceremony at Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio on Nov. 2.

Now in its 20th year, the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes writers of the year’s best novel or short-story collection.

Past winners include Alice Munro, Joseph Boyden, Lawrence Hill, Miriam Toews and the late Austin Clarke.

The 2015 winner was Andre Alexis for “Fifteen Dogs,” which also won the Scotiabank Giller.