A Quebec nationalist singer has withdrawn his book from consideration for a Governor General's Literary Award because he is "not a subject of Her Majesty."

La Chute de Sparte by Biz has been withdrawn from the Governor General's Literary Award race. La Chute de Sparte by Biz has been withdrawn from the Governor General's Literary Award race. (Leméac Éditeur)

Biz, who sings for a band called Loco Locass, has been nominated in the French-language children's text category for a novel called La Chute de Sparte.

The rapper, whose band often champions the French language and Quebec sovereignty, asked his publisher to have the book yanked from a short list of five released on Tuesday. The Canada Council, which organizes the award, shows the novel as withdrawn.

He said on his Twitter account that while he is "honoured" by the recognition, he is "not a subject of Her Majesty."

His book tells the story of Steve, who is in his last year of secondary school. It deals with friendship, love and the death of the school's quarterback.

Lise Bergevin, director of his publisher Leméac Éditeur, spoke to Radio-Canada about his decision to withdraw.

“Biz called me to say that he is touched and honoured that his work was selected by the jury, but for political reasons, he wants to withdraw as a candidate for the award 'because as a Québécois, I don’t consider myself a subject of Her Majesty,'” she said.

Among the other authors who have withdrawn from consideration for the Governor General’s Awards are Hubert Aquin, Fernand Ouellet, Roland Giguère and Michel Garneau.

The winners will be announced in Montreal on Nov. 13.