Anthony Bidulka

Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters and places. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.

Bidulka is the author of mystery novels (the Russell Quant mystery series, the Merry Bell trilogy), thrillers (the Adam Saint books) and standalone novels (Set Free, Going to Beautiful).

Bidulka’s books have been shortlisted for numerous awards. Flight of Aquavit (the Russell Quant mystery series) was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. 2022’s Going to Beautiful about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie was named 2023 Best Crime Novel by the Crime Writers of Canada (Awards of Excellence).

The University of Saskatchewan (Canada) inducted Anthony into the College of Education Wall of Honour and presented him the College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence Award. He received the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Nation Builders Award and was named, along with his husband Herb, Saskatoon Citizen of the Year. For his promotion of Saskatchewan through his writing, co-founding Camp fYrefly Saskatchewan (a leadership retreat for gender and sexually diverse and allied youth), and widespread volunteer and philanthropic efforts in the community, Anthony was honoured by the selection of a two-part park in Saskatoon named Bidulka Park and Bidulka Park North.

In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.

Other Awards

2003 – Shortlisted for Arthur Ellis Award (Amuse Bouche)
2003 – Shortlisted for ReLit Award (Amuse Bouche)
2004 – Shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Award (Flight of Aquavit)
2004 – Winner – Lambda Literary Award (Flight of Aquavit)
2005 – Shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Award (Tapas on the Ramblas)
2007 – Shortlisted for Lambda Literary Award (Stain of the Berry)
2007 – Shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Award (Stain of the Berry)
2008 – Shortlisted for Lambda Literary Award (Sundowner Ubuntu)
2009 – Shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Award (Aloha, Candy Hearts)
2010 – Shortlisted for Arthur Ellis Award (Aloha, Candy Hearts)
2010 – Rainbow Award for Best Mystery/Thriller (Date With a Sheesha)
2011 – Named American Library Association GLBT Round Table Over The Rainbow – Top Mystery (Aloha, Candy Hearts)
2011 – Named American Library Association GLBT Round Table Over The Rainbow – Top Mystery (Date With a Sheesha)
2023 – Shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Award – Fiction Award (Going to Beautiful)
2023 – Winner – Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence – 2023 Best Crime Novel (Going to Beautiful)
2023 – Winner – Independent Publisher Book Award – 2023 Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist (Going to Beautiful)
2023 – Finalist for the American Fiction Award – LGBTQ+ Fiction Category (Livingsky)
2023 – Finalist for the American Fiction Award – Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diverse Category (Livingsky)
2023 – Shortlisted for Alberta Book Publishers Award – Mystery and Thriller Book of the Year (Going to Beautiful)
2024 – Winner – Independent Publisher Book Award – 2024 Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist (Livingsky)