The 2026 Alberta Book Publishing Awards were last night at a star studded gala in Edmonton. We were there and are happy to announce Renegade won three awards (whoop!):

Graphic Novel of the Year – The Last Band on Earth

The Last Band on Earth written and illustrated by Elaine M Will is a dystopian horror story about music and mental health. Nat and her band, The Dead Layaways, want to go on tour, but the demonic entities who run their city have other ideas, not to mention the dark cloud that hangs over everything stifles their creativity. This ruined place is not their home, and they have no idea how they ended up here, or where “home” even is. Is there really nothing but endless wasteland beyond the city limits, as the demons claim?
“A ripping post-apocalyptic road trip horror adventure that’s both dreadfully creepy and triumphantly defiant. Like all great punk tunes it’s all killer, no filler. I loved this comic so much.” -Ryan Dunlavey (Action Philosophers, The Comic Book History Of Comics)

Book Illustration of the Year – The Last Band on Earth 

Mystery and Thriller Book of the Year – Blood and Fire

Blood and Fire is the final book in the award winning Mordecai Crow Trilogy written and illustrated by Bill Slavin. This book takes us back in time to see Crow’s ravaged world through the eyes of his mother, Raven. Snatching up the threads from the first two books, Raven’s story weaves a tale of blood and fire that leads to an action-packed climax played out on the embattled ramparts of Ironcast, throne of the merciless ruler of the Luddites, Lord Pyke.

‘The post-apocalyptic whodunnit I didn’t know I needed. High-speed storytelling in a well-crafted book.’ – Mike Donachie, Toronto Star

Congratulations to all of the winners and shortlisted creators, you can find out more about the awards and winners here.

Thank you to the Book Publishers Association of Alberta, all of the funders and sponsors, and everyone else involved for an excellent evening celebrating Alberta books.