For Publishers

July 5, 2021
Information for Canadian Book Publishers 

Again, this year, we are requesting your assistance for the 2023 Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Alberta Children’s Choice Book Award. We look forward to another successful year, our 22nd. Our Alberta Book Award was well received again last year with registrations from all over Alberta and an excellent voter turnout, once again against the backdrop of Covid.

With your help our award program continues to improve, we continue to promote exemplary Canadian literature. The RMBA Selection Committee is looking forward to selecting 20 great Canadian books for the 2023 Rocky Mountain Book Award nominee list.  Mireille Messier, the 2021 award-winning author for her book Sergeant Billy:  The True Story of the Goat that Went to War, will visit 3 Alberta schools (virtually or in person as restrictions allow) during the school year.

The criteria for the award are as follows: 

  • Grade 4 to 7 (grade range of the award)
  • Approximately 20 titles including a picture book of interest to older students and a poetry title
  • A balance of non-fiction and fiction titles 
  • Canadian author or illustrator
  • Predominantly recent titles (2020, 2021 and 2022 publishing years)

Covid has required our Selection Committee to review many titles digitally.  Therefore, this year we are requesting a digital copy of all eligible titles be sent to us at rmbasubmissions@gmail.com.

In addition, we would still like to receive three (3) physical review copies, to be sent to:

Rocky Mountain Book Award
c/o Lethbridge Public Library
810 – 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta   T1J 4C4. 

In order to complete the selection process in time, we are requesting titles in your list that fit the above criteria, be sent to us by January 20, 2022.

As in the past, upon completion of the selection of the 20 titles, arrangements will be made to donate your titles to public libraries, university libraries, and school libraries. Please know we respect the private nature of any digital files sent to us.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions at: rmbaboard@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Michelle Dimnik
Co-chair RMBA