The Cobra and the Key Longlisted for 2024 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour

TouchWood Editions is thrilled to announce that Sam Shelstad’s second novel, The Cobra and the Key, has been longlisted for the 2024 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. The longlist, which includes 11 books this year instead of the usual 10, was announced in the morning of April 30, 2024. Three finalists will be named on May 21, 2024 and a winner will be celebrated on June 22, 2024 at the Leacock Medal Award Gala Dinner in Orillia.

The Cobra and the Key is a “witty work of satire” (Fawn Parker, author of What We Both Know) that is similar to How Fiction Works by James Wood meets Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. Fans of this slightly unhinged creative writing guide in the form of a novel include comedian Patton Oswald (King of Queens) and fellow Canadian writers Michael Hingston and Anna Fitzpatrick.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say The Cobra and the Key is one of the funniest novels I’ve ever read.” —Michael Hingston, author of Try Not to Be Strange

“Reading The Cobra and the Key made my stomach hurt, both from the belly laughs and the creeping dread it inspired.” —Anna Fitzpatrick, author of Good Girl

“A roaring good time for fans of dark humor and anyone who has ever read a self-help book whose writer emphasized self over help.” —Shelf Awareness

Celebrating 77 years since its inception, the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour annually recognizes excellence in Canadian literary humour. Past winners have included Terry Fallis, Will Ferguson, W.O.Mitchell, Stuart McLean and Mordecai Richler.

TouchWood Editions is an independent Canadian book publisher based in Victoria, BC, with a big love of eating, drinking, exploring the region, and diving into stories that expand and deepen their worldview. They focus on creating beautiful books about: food and wine, regional history, art and photography, gardening and pets, house and home, and quality literary fiction titles.

For more information please visit leacock.ca.