Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/4/2015 (1998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE 2015 Manitoba Book Awards have gone through the lengthy editing process and are set for a final reading.

The Manitoba Writers' Guild and the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers announced the shortlists for the annual provincial literary awards Wednesday. The awards recognize the talent and accomplishments of writers, art designers/illustrators and publishers from around the province.

This year, two new categories have been added to the impressive docket: the Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award and the Chris Johnson Award for Best Play by a Manitoba Playwright (which will be handed out every two years).

Nominees for the McNally Robinson Book of the Year are Detachment by Maurice Mierau (Freehand Books), Leaving Tomorrow by David Bergen (HarperCollins), Mr. Jones by Margaret Sweatman (Goose Lane Editions), The Opening Sky by Joan Thomas (McClelland & Stewart) and Toronto by Allan Levine (Douglas & McIntyre)

Also included in the gala this year will be the presentation of Le Prix littéraire Rue-Deschambault, awarded biennially for the best French book written by a Manitoba author.

The Free Press received a design nomination for City Beautiful: How Architecture Shaped Winnipeg's DNA. The coffee-table book, authored by Randy Turner and featuring art direction from Gordon Preece, is nominated in the general illustration category.

The Manitoba Book Awards celebration gala takes place at the Marlborough Hotel April 25.

For a full list of categories and nominees, visit the Manitoba Book Awards website, manitobabookawards.com.