Joseph Kertes, author of The Afterlife of Stars, has been handpicked by jury members Miriam Toews, editor Deborah Dundas and International Festival of Authors director Geoffrey E. Taylor for the annual $10,000 Harbourfront Festival Prize.

"Joe Kertes was front of mind when we sat down to discuss who might be this year's honoree. He's not only a brilliant author himself, but a dedicated educator and mentor to so many young writers — exactly the type of person the Harbourfront Festival Prize is meant to recognize," said Dundas in a press release.

Kertes is the author of four novels and two children's books. His first novel, Winter Tulips, received the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1989. In 2010, Kertes made the shortlist for the CBC Creative Nonfiction Prize for his essay "Records." His latest book The Afterlife of Stars was a finalist for the 2016 Vine Award.

"I am thrilled and humbled by this great honour. My desire to work for and contribute to the literary community has been like working for and among family, people I know — people aspiring to the same lofty ideals I've been stumbling toward: to give true expression to feelings and thoughts and actions," said Kertes in a press release.

Established in 1984, the Harbourfront Festival Prize annually honours an author who has made significant contributions to Canadian literature. Past recipients include Miriam Toews, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje.

Kertes will receive the award on Oct. 23, 2017 at an event for the International Festival of Authors in Toronto.