The most lucrative literary award in Canada, the Scotiabank Giller Prize, will be awarded Tuesday night during a gala at a swank Toronto hotel.
Five Canadian writers - Rawi Hage, Mary Swan, Joseph Boyden, Marina Endicott and Anthony De Sa - are vying for the $50,000 prize.
The Canadian Press conducted email interviews with the nominees, asking them about how they'd celebrate if they won, writers that have inspired them and who they'd like to see starring in a movie version of their book.
Mary Swan, 55, of Guelph, Ont., is nominated for her novel "The Boys in the Trees" (Henry Holt/HB Fenn).
One-sentence synopsis: Set in the late 19th century, "The Boys in the Trees" explores the lives of a number of individuals who are connected, in some way, to a terrible crime.
A book that had a big impact: Would have to be a novel by Penelope Mortimer, "The Pumpkin Eater," which I read when I was 15 or 16. Not the best book I've ever read, but one that made me realize, quite suddenly and clearly, that I wanted to write.
Giller getup: That's a question I'm still asking myself.
If you win, how will you celebrate: With family and friends. And I'm pretty sure someone will buy me a drink.
If your book was made into a Hollywood movie, who would star: Since part of the point of the book is to tell the stories of people who have left no mark on the historical record, I suppose it would have to feature a cast of "unknown" actors.
Writer's block cure: Lots of long walks, and often doing something completely different - making a bookshelf or painting a room. That often helps, although it leaves a lot of unfinished projects around the house.
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Anthony De Sa of Toronto is nominated for the short story collection "Barnacle Love" (Doubleday Canada).
One-sentence synopsis: Moving from a small Portuguese village in the Azores, where time stands still, to the dark alleys of a sleepy, backwater Toronto in the 1970s, "Barnacle Love" offers a remarkable coming-of-age story.
A book that had a big impact: "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" by Mordecai Richler. When I was growing up it was the book that I could most relate to. Duddy was Jewish and I was Catholic but our communities were really the same and our dreams were very much intertwined. I still love that book.
Giller getup: Vintage. A great tux with a satin shawl collar. Very "Mad Men."
If you win, how will you celebrate: Rest. I would like to get away for a few days with my wife and children. I would want us to celebrate the success together.
If your book was made into a Hollywood movie, who would star: Ed Harris would play Manuel. Strange how his face often came to me when I pictured Manuel in the stories.
Writer's block cure: A glass of port. Or two, or three ...
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Marina Endicott, 50, of Cochrane, Alta., is nominated for her novel, "Good to a Fault" (Freehand Books/Broadview Press).
One-sentence synopsis: Woman meets family, woman loses family, woman gets back a sense of family.
A book that had a big impact: Lynn Coady's "Saints of Big Harbour." As I read it I kept thinking, Are you allowed to write like this? I'm still trying to be as brave as she is.
Giller getup: A cheerful smile.
If you win, how will you celebrate: By reminding myself that this is all a streak of lightning and about as predictable - but enjoying the electricity!
If your book was made into a Hollywood movie, who would star: Frances McDormand (ideally without the "Fargo" accent) and Sarah Polley, with Janet Wright as Mrs. Pell the awful grandmother. And Guy Vanderhaeghe as the bartender.
Writer's block cure: I have the opposite problem, desperately trying to pry another three or four hours out of a day to find enough time to write. Not sure there is a cure for that.
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Joseph Boyden, 42, a Toronto native now living in New Orleans, is nominated for his novel "Through Black Spruce" (Viking Canada).
One-sentence synopsis: My novel is about how a family comes together to help heal each other.
A book that had a big impact: "Fifth Business" by Robertson Davies had a big impact on my writing career because it showed me that a narrative can at once exist in the present and the past.
Giller getup: I'll wear my best monkey suit, my Harry Rosen tuxedo with really shiny shoes.
If you win, how will you celebrate: If I'm lucky enough to win, I will celebrate with a glass of champagne with my gorgeous wife, Amanda. One glass might lead to two ...
If your book was made into a Hollywood movie, who would star: If my novel were made into a movie, I'd want Thomas King to play all of the roles.
Writer's block cure: I don't believe in writer's block.
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Rawi Hage of Montreal is nominated for his novel "Cockroach" (House of Anansi Press).
One-sentence synopsis: Ropes, snow, and the underground.
A book that had a big impact: "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Giller getup: Clothes.
If you win, how will you celebrate: Privately.
If your book was made into a Hollywood movie, who would star: Fred Astaire.
Writer's block cure: I never get it.
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