David Chariandy has pulled off an impressive trick with his novel Soucouyant. The little-known Vancouver author’s debut novel, published by Arsenal Pulp Press, was both longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and shortlisted for the Governor General’s fiction prize this fall. The Tyee’s book page has a closer look at Chariandy, who is one of three co-founders – along with Wayde Compton and Karina Vernon – of Commodore Books, described as “the first and only black-owned press in Western Canada.” On his award attention, the author tells the Tyee:

As I’ve explained elsewhere, I did work very hard on my novel for several years, and whatever one may think of the final form, it didn’t emerge accidentally. Nevertheless, I assumed, for several reasons, that few readers would be willing to open my book or else take me seriously, and I honestly was OK with that. Now, of course, I’ve received much more attention than I ever anticipated, and I’d be lying if I pretended that it wasn’t very encouraging. More than anything else, I want to continue working as a writer.