Former Lampman resident Melanie Schnell has received four Saskatchewan Book Award nominations for her debut novel, "While the Sun is Above Us."

Schnell, who now resides in Regina, is up for the Book of the Year Award, the Fiction Award, the First Book Award, and the Regina Book Award.

The shortlists for the awards were revealed February 14.

"While the Sun is Above Us" takes readers deep into Sudan through the intertwined narratives of two women, Adut, who lives in Sudan, and Sandra, who is a Canadian aid worker.

In the midst of a bloody civil war, Adut is brutally captured and held as a slave for eight years. Sandra, fleeing her life in Canada, travels to South Sudan as an aid worker but soon finds herself unwittingly embroiled in a violent local conflict.

When chance brings Adut and Sandra together in a brief but profound moment, their lives change forever.

"I'm thrilled to be nominated in four categories, alongside some very fine writers," said Schnell.

The Saskatchewan Book Awards will be presented in Regina on Saturday, April 27.