The Writers’ Union of Canada has announced the shortlist for the 15th annual Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which recognizes a debut collection of short fiction published by a Canadian author in 2011. The nominees are:

Andrew J. Borkowski, Copernicus Avenue (Cormorant Books)

Daniel Griffin, Stopping for Strangers (Véhicule Press)

Johanna Skibsrud, This Will Be Difficult to Explain (Hamish Hamilton Canada)

Jessica Westhead, And Also Sharks (Cormorant Books)

Ian Williams, Not Anyone’s Anything (Freehand Books)

This year’s jury comprised authors Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Robin McGrath, and Hal Niedzviecki, who determined the shortlist from 36 submissions. The winner, who receives a cash prize of $10,000, will be announced June 7, along with two runners-up, each of whom will receive $500.