Abbotsford poet Robert Martens has been shortlisted for the 2012 bpNichol Chap-book Award.

Martens is nominated for his deliciously humour-ous and biographical chapbook, Poltergeist, in which he explored his familial and Mennonite cultural heritage. He is up against five other poets from B.C. and Ontario. Named for the late Canadian poet bpNichol, the prize is awarded to the author of the best poetry chapbook published in the previous year.

Contest judges Bill Kennedy and Maggie Helwig will name the finalist at the Meet the Presses Indie Literary Market in Toronto on Nov. 17. See www.poeticjustice. ca for details.