I am more sympathetic to the separation between shortlist and final announcement. The Sentamentalists was released by a small press in October last year — you cannot expect them to make the economic investment of printing thousands of copies hoping they will make the list. Even Light Lifting, which appeared in September, required a second printing — Indigo had not ordered copies for their stores until the shortlist was out and the publisher had to go through many hoops to get copies available. Canada is a small market and I am afraid we have to put up with disruptions like this as part of the process.

I have to admit being frustrated by the Giller process. The time lapse between the longlist and shortlist almost makes debate and discussion on the longlist irrelevant as even you the Shadow Giller Jury has difficulty getting the books for awhile.

Even as I write this, getting a copy of The Sentimentalists seems difficult.

It appears the Giller process could be a lot better thought out.

Your comment about Ali Smith is also interesting — I think the two short story collections on the shortlist are probably also a reflection of her tastes. I don’t have a problem with that as I far prefer an idiosyncratic list chosen by authors than I do one from peripheral readers. Having said that, I think the Giller longlist probably has more worthwhile books on it that the shortlist does.

Crake: I had your first two on my list, so I was surprised as well. I can’t say that I don’t welcome the controversy, however.