Last Saturday, I was thrilled to be able to attend the 2014 BC Book Prizes Gala in Vancouver, where my book on Svend Robinson was one of five finalists for the Roderick Haig-Brown regional prize for the book that “contributes the most to the enjoyment and understanding of the province of British Columbia.” (I still can’t believe it – what an honour!)
My book didn’t win (congratulations to Arthur Erickson: An Architect’s Life author David Stouck, who also won the Hubert Evans non-fiction prize), but the entire thing was an incredible experience. There was a distinctly Oscars-esque atmosphere. It began with a VIP reception with the Lieutenant-Governor in which the nominated authors were able to meet the LG and go over the protocol for accepting an award. The organizers even specially selected a boutonniere for me (to go along with the tie my wife Janine had given me as a gift the night before). Next, we mingled with other industry people and friends and family of the authors (including Janine and my mom, Judy). I enjoyed meeting fellow nominees Roy Henry Vickers, Grant Lawrence, Jordan Abel, Kathryn Para and Renée Sarojini Saklikar, and others in the publishing industry, and, of course, I had a great time hanging out with Mike Leyne and Rolf Maurer of New Star Books, too.
Then, we headed to the dining room for the dinner and awards presentation. Host Charlie Demers was hysterical, and even though my book didn’t win, it was very exciting to watch each presenter open the envelopes containing the winners’ names, and then hear the acceptance speeches. They were funny, heartfelt, and all made me very, very proud to have my work considered alongside theirs (I’m still pretty blown away).
Congratulations to David Stouck and all the other writers who were there. And thanks as well. There are a lot of voices in our society telling us to think less. Thank you for challenging us to think
more.
I’m tremendously grateful to the BC Book Prizes for the nomination. It’s an honour I’ll cherish forever, along with the many wonderful things people have had to say about the book. It was also very special to me to be able to share the occasion with Janine and my mom, both of whom contributed so, so much to this project. Best of all, I feel more energized than ever about looking ahead to the next book…
My book didn’t win (congratulations to Arthur Erickson: An Architect’s Life author David Stouck, who also won the Hubert Evans non-fiction prize), but the entire thing was an incredible experience. There was a distinctly Oscars-esque atmosphere. It began with a VIP reception with the Lieutenant-Governor in which the nominated authors were able to meet the LG and go over the protocol for accepting an award. The organizers even specially selected a boutonniere for me (to go along with the tie my wife Janine had given me as a gift the night before). Next, we mingled with other industry people and friends and family of the authors (including Janine and my mom, Judy). I enjoyed meeting fellow nominees Roy Henry Vickers, Grant Lawrence, Jordan Abel, Kathryn Para and Renée Sarojini Saklikar, and others in the publishing industry, and, of course, I had a great time hanging out with Mike Leyne and Rolf Maurer of New Star Books, too.
Then, we headed to the dining room for the dinner and awards presentation. Host Charlie Demers was hysterical, and even though my book didn’t win, it was very exciting to watch each presenter open the envelopes containing the winners’ names, and then hear the acceptance speeches. They were funny, heartfelt, and all made me very, very proud to have my work considered alongside theirs (I’m still pretty blown away).
Congratulations to David Stouck and all the other writers who were there. And thanks as well. There are a lot of voices in our society telling us to think less. Thank you for challenging us to think
more.
I’m tremendously grateful to the BC Book Prizes for the nomination. It’s an honour I’ll cherish forever, along with the many wonderful things people have had to say about the book. It was also very special to me to be able to share the occasion with Janine and my mom, both of whom contributed so, so much to this project. Best of all, I feel more energized than ever about looking ahead to the next book…
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