Aqua Books

Aqua Books is a Canadian independent bookstore opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Kelly Hughes in 1999. It has been acknowledged for helping revitalize downtown Winnipeg and creating an eclectic mix of programs and events for the Winnipeg arts and culture community.

Overview
Aqua Books consists of a bookstore, a restaurant called Eat Bistro, writers' studios and an events theatre. Aqua sponsors the Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry and hosts numerous literary and cultural events. Writers who have launched books or read at Aqua Books include Paul Quarrington, Susie Moloney, Shane Koyczan, Sarah Klassen, George Murray, Warren Cariou, Zachariah Wells, and Margaret Christakos. Lecturers have included politician Tim Sale, musician Steve Bell and activist David Northcott.

Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry
Aqua Books sponsors the Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry, which is awarded annually to the best full length adult book of poetry in either French or English by a resident of Manitoba, Canada.

Winners

 * 2007 — Laurie Block, Time out of Mind
 * 2008 — Alison Calder, Wolf Tree

Writer-in-residence Program
Aqua Books is one of only two bookstores in Canada to feature a writer-in-residence program, the other being the University of Alberta bookstore. This program includes workshops, readings and manuscript evaluation. Writers-in-residence have included young adult writer Anita Daher, crime writer Michael Van Rooy, and arts writer Amy Karlinsky.