Edmonton author makes the cut in national writing competition
September 2010

Simon Fraser's first book competition is underway, and Edmonton author Jana Rieger is the only Alberta contender to make the recent cut in fiction writing. Rieger''s first novel, A Course in Deception has been long-listed for the national competition and stands a chance of winning a publishing contract with Anvil Press. Her manuscript represents the only Alberta entry remaining in the fiction competition.

A Course in Deception represents a real departure from the type of writing Rieger normally produces. As a health researcher, she has written dozens of scientific texts but never before has she ventured into the realm of fiction. Rieger used her extensive academic background to inform her novel and create an exciting new manuscript exploring the complex ethical quagmire of research fraud.

"Being in academia you see the pressures that come to bear in the push to constantly publish new data. I thought it would be a fascinating way to integrate my professional background into my first foray into fiction writing," says Rieger. "Obviously I'm pretty thrilled to now find myself in the company of such great Canadian writers, and even more excited to be the only Albertan long-listed in the fiction competition."

SFU's Writer's Studio book competition was created to celebrate the literary achievements of Canadian writers by offering publishing contracts with Anvil Press to winners in each of three categories: creative non-fiction; fiction; and poetry. Winners will be announced on October 24th, 2010. 

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