Ali Bryan
Alexandra Bryan is a Canadian novelist, and personal trainer. Among other honours, two of her novels have been shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
Early life and education
Bryan was born in Nova Scotia, where she graduated from Saint Mary's University, then studied creative writing under Paul Quarrington at Humber College, in Ontario.Career
Bryan began her writing career publishing short stories and essays, many of which have been nominated for awards.Bryan published her debut novel, Roost, with Freehand Books in 2013. The novel's protagonist, Claudia, is a single mother in her 30s. Her life goes out of control following her mother's unexpected death. The novel won the 2014 Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction, and was short-listed for the Alberta Trade Fiction Book of the Year. One Book Nova Scotia selected Roost for its annual provincial reading initiative where all Nova Scotians were encouraged to read the same book at the same time.
Since releasing Roost, Bryan has published three novels for adults: The Figgs, Coq, and The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships. She has also published two young adult novels: The Hills and Takedown.
In addition to writing, Bryan is a personal trainer.
Awards and honors
In 2014, One Book Nova Scotia selected Roost for its annual provincial reading initiative where all Nova Scotians were encouraged to read the same book at the same time.In 2018, Bryan shared Alberta's Emerging Artists Award with 9 other writers.
| Year | Work | Award | Result | |
| 2010 | "Asshole Homemaker" | CBC Nonfiction Prize | Longlist | |
| 2014 | "Mints After the Meal" | CBC Nonfiction Prize | Longlist | |
| 2014 | Roost | Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction | Winner | |
| 2015 | "Mints After the Meal" | Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Award | Finalist | |
| 2016 | "Let's Talk" | Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Award | Finalist | |
| 2019 | The Figgs | Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour | Shortlist | |
| 2020 | "The Big Man in Cargo Shorts" | Howard O'Hagan Award for Short Story | Winner | |
| 2021 | The Hill | Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for Best Published Novel | Longlist | |
| 2022 | "Bad Extra" | Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Award | Finalist | |
| 2024 | Coq | Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour | Shortlist | |
| 2024 | Coq | Alberta Book Publishing Award for Trade Fiction Book of the Year | Winner |