One of Saskatchewan’s own has been placed on the long-list for one of Canada’s most prestigious literary awards, the Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Born in Regina, C.S. Richardson was among 13 finalists announced on Tuesday for his novel The Emperor of Paris.

“It’s a little shattering and befuddling, but it’s a fantastic day,” said Richardson, who resides in Toronto.

“You work very hard for a long, long time to put together—hopefully—the best story you can or the best novel you can,” said Richardson. “And to have people who have no more vested interest than good writing, … to say you are worthy to be on a short-list or a long-list or any kind of list—it’s like a wild dream come true.”

Richardson who works as vice-president and creative director at Random House Canada said although he has not resided in Saskatchewan for a number of years, he still considers the prairies an important place.

“I’ll wave the Saskatchewan flag anytime I can,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I lived in Saskatchewan, but my roots are there. My fathers family were all from there, it’s where I was born and it’s where I spent most of my boyhood.”

This is the second time Richardson has been acknowledged for his writing. In 2008 he won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, Canada & the Caribbean for his novel, The End of the Alphabet.