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!