TORONTO (September 6, 2011) - They don’t call it a long list for nothing.

An unprecedented 17 authors have been named to the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize long list on Tuesday, including the winner of the inaugural Reader’s Choice contest, which allowed the public to choose a nominee. (The public submitted more than 4,000 nominations.)

One of the following 17 authors will be the winner of this year’s Giller Prize, Canada’s most prestigious English-language literary award:

David Bezmozgis, who was nominated for his debut novel The Free World, published by HarperCollins Canada.

Clark Blaise, for his short story collection The Meagre Tarmac, published by Biblioasis.

Lynn Coady, for her novel The Antagonist, published by House of Anansi Press.

Michael Christie, for his debut short story collection, The Beggar’s Garden, published by HarperCollins Canada.

Patrick deWitt, for his novel The Sisters Brothers, published by House of Anansi Press.

Myrna Dey, for her novel Extensions, published by NeWest Press. Dey is the Reader’s Choice nominee and was not selected by the jury.

Esi Edugyan, for her novel Half-Blood Blues, published by Thomas Allen Publishers.

Marina Endicott, for her novel The Little Shadows, published by Doubleday Canada.

Zsuzsi Gartner, for her short story collection Better Living Through Plastic Explosives, published by Hamish Hamilton Canada.

Genni Gunn, for her novel Solitaria, published by Signature Editions.

Pauline Holdstock, for her novel Into the Heart of the Country, published by HarperCollins Canada.

Wayne Johnston for his novel A World Elsewhere, published by Knopf Canada.

Dany Laferrière, for his novel The Return, translated by David Homel, published by Douglas & McIntyre.

Suzette Mayr, for her novel Monoceros, published by Coach House Books.

Michael Ondaatje, for his novel The Cat’s Table, published by McClelland & Stewart.

Guy Vanderhaeghe, for his novel A Good Man, published by McClelland & Stewart.

Alexi Zentner, for his novel Touch, published by Knopf Canada.

Prior to this year, the record number of authors on a long list was 15; this occurred in 2006, the first year the prize issued a long list, as well as 2007 and 2008.

“Each title on our long list dignifies world literature, not only Canadian literature,” the jury said in a press release. “That said, the Canadian fiction we have unanimously chosen exhibits an astonishing range of dramatic incident, subject, narrative strategy and memorable characters.

"What connects these wonderful books is an excellence of craft. Many of these novels and collections have intensely cinematic qualities; others, decidedly influenced by l9th century classics. All have the deepest levels of engagement with the art of storytelling and bring life to the page with vivid immediacy. Our list is a celebration of eclectic and fearless writing.”

This year’s jury includes United States writer Howard Norman, Scottish writer Andrew O’Hagan, and Canada’s Annabel Lyon, who was short-listed for the Giller Prize in 2009. The jury considered a record-setting number of submissions — 143 books — from 55 publishers from across the country.

It was a good day for both deWitt and Edugyan, who were also short-listed for Britain's Man Booker Prize.

The short list will be announced Oct. 4; the winner, who receives $50,000, will be declared Nov. 8.

Johanna Skibsrud won last year’s Giller Prize for her novel The Sentimentalists.