The Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBAs), now in their fourth year, are being sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada, confirming the status of this prestigious national competition for Canadian self-published authors.

John Degen, executive director of The Writers’ Union of Canada, is pleased to support the contest. “The Writers’ Union recognizes that the WIBAs serve our self-published members in a unique and valuable way by encouraging professionalism and increasing sales opportunities. Several of our members have been past winners who have benefited from their participation.”

The Canadian Authors Association (CAA) has also substantially increased its commitment to the awards this year. CAA members will provide a detailed book review for each title submitted while the national organization will also offer complimentary membership and significant promotional opportunities to both winners. “We are excited about this opportunity to continue the tradition of ‘writers helping writers’ that has characterized CAA for almost 100 years,” said executive director Anita Purcell.

Jointly produced by Canadian Authors, the Whistler Writing Society and Vivalogue Publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards are the only juried Canadian awards for self-published authors. This year, the fiction category will be judged by Evelyn Lauand Darcie Friesen Hossack, with JJ Lee and Susan Oakey-Baker selecting the winner in the non-fiction category.

The awards are open to Canadian authors or permanent residents who have self-published a book or books in the last six years.Eligible authors can submit their entries via https://independentbookawards.ca/until April 30, 2019. Shortlisted titles will be announced on May 31; finalists will be named on July 19. Finalists and winners will receive a significant prize package and will be invited to participate in several events during the Whistler Writers Festival, October 17-20.

For more information:contact Lynn Duncan, Vivalogue Publishing, 604-512-9997 or lynn@vivalogue.com.

About The Writers Union of Canada:Founded in 1973, The Writers’ Union of Canada advocates for improvements on behalf of professionally-published book authors.

About Canadian Authors:Founded in 1921, the Canadian Authors Association is dedicated to promoting a flourishing community of writers and to encouraging works of literary and artistic merit.