Literature

SpokenWeb is a digitized bonanza of readings and off-the-cuff remarks from Canada’s greatest writers. Margaret Atwood, W.O. Mitchell, Mavis Gallant, Rudy Wiebe, Michael Ondaatje, Al Purdy, Irving Layton, they’re all there. Atwood arrives on the red carpet for the 2019 Giller Prize in Toronto, on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Vast digital trove of recordings by Canadian literature greats nears completion

The project has grown to include 14 collections, 13 institutions, and more than 50 researchers

 

Esi Edugyan was named as the chair of judges for the Booker Prize 2023. (Courtesy of Tamara Poppitt)

Greater Victoria writer Esi Edugyan named 2023 Booker Prize chair of judges

The winner will be announced on Nov. 26

  • Sep 8, 2023

 

Suzette Mayr accepts her award as the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize winner in Toronto, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Mayr, Tsering Yangzom Lama and Emma Hooper are among the Canadian authors longlisted for the inaugural Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Giller Prize long list revealed for Canada’s top authors of 2023

12 titles were chosen from a record number of 145 book submissions

 

Quinton Foote released his second fantasy novel ‘The Siege of Shadow’ in mid-December as a follow up to his April 2021 novel debut, ‘The Mighty Ven Devar.’ (Submitted images)

Nanaimo author and filmmaker tells stories inspired by Dungeons and Dragons campaigns

Quinton Foote’s recently released ‘The Siege of Shadow’ second in series of fantasy novels

Quinton Foote released his second fantasy novel ‘The Siege of Shadow’ in mid-December as a follow up to his April 2021 novel debut, ‘The Mighty Ven Devar.’ (Submitted images)
Suzette Mayr accepts her award as the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize winner in Toronto, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Suzette Mayr wins $100K Scotiabank Giller Prize for ‘The Sleeping Car Porter’

Author says her book shines a spotlight on an under-represented part of Canadian history

Suzette Mayr accepts her award as the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize winner in Toronto, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Author and illustrator Lindsay Ford holds a copy of her latest book ‘How Do You Eat An Elephant?’ (Photo credit to KBR Pottery)

‘How Do You Eat An Elephant?’ asks Nanaimo children’s author

Writer and illustrator Lindsay Ford advises how to take on challenges in new book

Author and illustrator Lindsay Ford holds a copy of her latest book ‘How Do You Eat An Elephant?’ (Photo credit to KBR Pottery)
FILE - Salman Rushdie attends the 68th National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner on Nov. 15, 2017, in New York. Rushdie’s agent says the author has lost sight in one eye and the use of a hand as he recovers from an attack by a man who rushed the stage at an August literary event in western New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Report: Salman Rushdie lives, but loses use of eye and hand

Author suffered three serious wounds to his neck and 15 more wounds to his chest and torso

FILE - Salman Rushdie attends the 68th National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner on Nov. 15, 2017, in New York. Rushdie’s agent says the author has lost sight in one eye and the use of a hand as he recovers from an attack by a man who rushed the stage at an August literary event in western New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Janis Harper will launch her debut novel ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library on July 23. (submitted photo)

Author holding book launch for debut novel at Nanaimo Harbourfront Library

Janis Harper’s ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ launches July 23

Janis Harper will launch her debut novel ‘Jonas and the Mountain: A Metaphysical Love Story’ at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library on July 23. (submitted photo)
Emily Carrington at her desk at home on Gabriola Island, holding original inkings of her debut graphic novel memoir, ‘Our Little Secret’ which depicts teenage sexual abuse and the aftermath that follows. (Photo submitted)

Gabriola artist tackles trauma of childhood sexual abuse in graphic novel

Emily Carrington’s memoir ‘Our Little Secret’ aims to provide a voice for other survivors

Emily Carrington at her desk at home on Gabriola Island, holding original inkings of her debut graphic novel memoir, ‘Our Little Secret’ which depicts teenage sexual abuse and the aftermath that follows. (Photo submitted)
A peacock pops in to the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library. (GVPL/Twitter)

Peacock pops in to peruse Oak Bay library

Curious bird temporarily took up residence in public library stacks

A peacock pops in to the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library. (GVPL/Twitter)
Reading to a child image captured by Jill Hayward.

B.C.’s summer reading club helps children continue to work on literacy skills

Program available at public libraries and online

Reading to a child image captured by Jill Hayward.
Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison firefighter publishes story in 2 ‘Chicken Soup’ books

Fred Webber fulfilled his firefighting dream in his mid 50s

Harrison Firefighter Fred Webber smiles as he holds copies of the two Chicken Soup for the Soul books that contain his story. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Nanaimo’s Glenn Brucker, author and illustrator of ‘City Day,’ was nominated for a Chocolate Lily Book Award in May. (Photo by Alyson Brucker)

Nanaimo author and illustrator nominated for B.C. children’s book award

Glenn Brucker’s ‘City Day’ shortlisted for Chocolate Lily Book Award

Nanaimo’s Glenn Brucker, author and illustrator of ‘City Day,’ was nominated for a Chocolate Lily Book Award in May. (Photo by Alyson Brucker)
‘Lucy and Bonbon’ author Don LePan in his Nanaimo home as he flips through one of his last on-hand copies since the book was published this spring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo author’s new book blurs boundaries between humans and animals

Don LePan’s ‘Lucy and Bonbon’ a speculative fiction work that explores theoretical inter-breeding

‘Lucy and Bonbon’ author Don LePan in his Nanaimo home as he flips through one of his last on-hand copies since the book was published this spring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
A ‘Hidden Messages’ poem applied in hydrophobic material that only appears when wet. This haiku, written by Nanaimo’s poet laureate, Kamal Parmar, was installed along the Haliburton Road multi-use path in late May. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo unveils ‘Hidden Messages’ public art project to encourage physical activity

Project showcases 10 haikus by city’s poet laureate that only appear when wet

A ‘Hidden Messages’ poem applied in hydrophobic material that only appears when wet. This haiku, written by Nanaimo’s poet laureate, Kamal Parmar, was installed along the Haliburton Road multi-use path in late May. (Submitted photo)
Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

B.C. author’s ‘Ghost Forest’ wins Amazon Canada First Novel Award

Pik-Shuen Fung awarded the $60,000 prize for story of woman grappling with the death of her father

Vancouver-raised author Pik-Shuen Fung, shown in a handout photo, has won this year's Amazon Canada First Novel Award. Fung was awarded the $60,000 prize for "Ghost Forest" at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Tofino’s new Poet Laureate Heather Hendry puts pen to paper inside the Wickaninnish Community School library. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino’s new Poet Laureate hopes to inspire youth

Heather Hendry has officially kicked off her two-year tenure as the town’s third literary leader

Tofino’s new Poet Laureate Heather Hendry puts pen to paper inside the Wickaninnish Community School library. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)

Applications open for Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle mentorship program

21 participants will be matched with one of seven mentors in the six-month program

Award-winning CBC journalist Angela Sterritt (left) will be a mentor for the 2022 Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle program. Samantha Krilow (right) was a participant in the 2021 program. (Submitted photos)
Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)

Nanaimo author shortlisted for national crime writers’ award

South Wellington’s Jackie Elliott named a finalist in new category by Crime Writers of Canada

Jackie Elliott’s ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ is one of five finalists in a new category for the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. A winner will be announced on May 26. (Photos submitted)
A new anthology was launched at a public reading in Tofino on April 30 at an event that also served to introduce the town’s new Poet Laureate.

Anthology featuring love letters to trees set for launch in Tofino

Worth More Standing was edited and curated by Tofino’s Poet Laureate Christine Lowther

A new anthology was launched at a public reading in Tofino on April 30 at an event that also served to introduce the town’s new Poet Laureate.