The summer has come and nearly gone, and all the while, we've been on the edge of our seats awaiting word from the judges. The suspense is now over.

The judges, Christian Bok, poetry, and Zoe Whittall, fiction, have delivered their choices, from a field of well over 100 manuscripts, and were thrilled with the quality and quantity of exemplary new writing from Canada.

Here are the winners:

In the category of poetry, the winner is Jonathan Ball of Calgary, Alberta.
A special honourable mention goes to Jennifer Still of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

In the category of fiction, the winner is Ian Roy, of Ottawa, Ontario for his story Clouds.
A special honourable mention goes to Shane Neilson for his story, Sitting. 

The Lit Pop Poetry Shortlist

Jonathan Ball

Jennifer Still

James Irwin

Claire Ashton

Kim Minkus

Leslie Vryenhoek

Danielle LaFrance

Vera Nenadovic

Gary Pierluigi

Duncan Major

Helen Hajnoczky

The Lit Pop Fiction Shortlist

Ian Roy

Shane Neilson

Catherine Owen

Ayelet Tsabari

Kristina Born

Moez Surani

Jeffrey Gandell

Madeleine Lee

Alex Leslie

James Sandham

James Phelan

Andre Rodrigues

David Brock

Sarah Chepesiuk

The winners will be honoured at the Pop Montreal Festival on October 3 2008, 8pm, at a special Lit Pop ceremony, featuring performances by Julie Doiron and Chad Van Gaalen. More details to come!

Thanks to all those who entered the contest and congratulations to the shortlisted participants and the winners!