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by: Canadian Press
Date: 11/9/2010 10:13:00 PM ET

TORONTO — Montrealer Johanna Skibsrud has won the $50,000 Scotiabank Giller Prize for her debut novel "The Sentimentalists."

Some bookstores have been unable to get the title in stock.

That's because Gaspereau Press, the publishing house for "The Sentimentalists," only prints books locally and can only make about 1,000 copies per week.

Skibsrud, who at 30 was the youngest of this year's shortlisted authors, was tearful and seemed overwhelmed as she accepted the prize.

Presenters at the star-studded book bash included author Barbara Amiel Black, Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy and singer Anne Murray.

This is the 17th year for the prize, which was established in 1994 by businessman Jack Rabinovitch in honour of his late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller.

Since then, the Giller has become one of the country's most popular literary awards, with nominated books receiving a considerable boost in sales.

This year's jury -- CBC broadcaster Michael Enright, American author Claire Messud and British writer Ali Smith -- considered 98 books submitted by 38 publishing houses.

Runners up will each receive $5,000.