Librarian Heidi Jacobs has been named as one of 11 authors on the long list for the Leacock Medal for Humour Writing. Jacobs is nominated for her debut novel Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear.

Set in Edmonton in the 1990s, Molly of the Mall allowed Jacobs to tell a unique story about the Canadian city she grew up in.

The prestigious $15,000 annual award celebrates Canadian authors in memory of Stephen Leacock and is presented to the best book of humour each year.

The 2020 roster saw a total of 84 entries to be considered and selected 11 instead of the usual 10, as two books tied for the final qualifying spot.

The longlist for the 2020 Leacock Medal is:

• All the Wrong Moves by Sasha Chapin
• The New Canadian Curling Club by Mark Crawford
• Are You Kidding Me?! by Lesley Crewe
• Out for Stars by Colleen Curran
• The Art of Being Lewis by Daniel Goodwin
• Molly of the Mall by Heidi L. M. Jacobs
• Christmas in Mariposa by Jamie Lamb
• Cafe Conversations by Marion Reidel
• I Saw Three Ships by Bill Richardson
• Crow by Amy Spurway
• Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor

Three finalists will be revealed on May 1, and the winner announced on June 5. Learn more: www.leacock.ca.

—Marcie Demmans