4 books make up 2017 Vancouver Book Award shortlist

A mystery novel, a middle-grade chapter book, a short story collection and a nonfiction art book make up the 2017 Vancouver Book Award shortlist.

The prize annually celebrates Vancouver writers, awarding $3,000 to the winning author. 

Carleigh Baker, one of CBC Books' writers to watch of 2017, is on the shortlist for her debut short story collection Bad Endings. The 15 stories explore a range of human experiences, from the death of a relationship to struggles with mental health.

• Why Carleigh Baker was lost until she wrote a short story collection

This year's shortlist also includes:

• Invisible Dead by Sam Wiebe
• Pandas on the Eastside by Gabrielle Prendergast
• Susan Point: Spindle Whorf by Grant Arnold, Ian M. Thorn, Susan Point, Kathryn Bunn-Marcuse, Thomas Cannell, Myrtle Mckay and William McLennan

The 2017 Vancouver Book Award winner will be announced on Oct. 11 2017.