More Spring Awards Finalists
In addition to the news that alum Aisha Sasha John is a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize this year, we're pleased to share even more cause for celebration on the lit awards front. Congratulations to these three outstanding women in our MFA community on being named award finalists this spring. We're rooting for you!
In addition to the news that alum Aisha Sasha John is a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize this year, we're pleased to share even more cause for celebration on the lit awards front. Congratulations to these three outstanding women in our MFA community on being named award finalists this spring. We're rooting for you!*****
KHALIDA HASSAN
FINALIST, RBC BRONWEN WALLACE AWARD (WRITERS’ TRUST OF CANADA)
Established in memory of writer Bronwen Wallace, this national award has a track record of identifying future Canadian writing stars. Alternating each year between short fiction and poetry, the 2018 prize will be given for an outstanding work of unpublished short fiction.
Khalida Hassan’s story “Adjacent Rooms” is among the three finalist for the $10,000 prize. Her story, in addition to works of other Bronwen Wallace Award winners and finalists, is available for free on iBooks at iTunes.com/BronwenWallace.
This year’s Bronwen Wallace Award ceremony will be held on May 28 at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and hosted by past finalist—and Guelph CWMFA alum—Grace O'Connell.
RBC Bronwen Wallace Award Ceremony
Monday, May 28, 2018 | 5:30-7:30pm
Royal Conservatory of Music
273 Bloor St W, Toronto
RSVP by May 21 via email: djackson@writerstrust.com
*****
CANISIA LUBRIN
FINALIST, RAYMOND SOUSTER AWARD (LEAGUE OF CANADIAN POETS)
Canisia’s debut poetry collection, Voodoo Hypothesis (Buckrider Books / Wolsak & Wynn), is one of 6 finalists for this annual prize for a volume of poetry by a League member at any stage of their career. The award honours Raymond Souster, an early founder of the League of Canadian Poets.
From the Jurors: A debut of stunning scope, Canisia Lubrin's Voodoo Hypothesis exists as a series of dense, haunting lines that beat back against the colonial mindset. Whether she’s skilfully mixing Creole with the dictions of science, pop-culture, and newspaper reportage, or staring down the spectres of mythology and poetic reference; Lubrin seizes language that ranges across the dynamics of power, creating a liberating expression that refuses to have its history told for it. With Voodoo Hypothesis, Lubrin doesn't just set herself apart as one of Canada's great emerging poets, she distinguishes herself as an author whose time is so clearly and unquestionably now.
The winner of the $1,000 prize will be announced on June 16th at an awards ceremony at the 2018 Canadian Writers’ Summit in Toronto.
*****
SARAH PINDER
FINALIST, LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD (CATEGORY: LESBIAN POETRY)
Sarah Pinder’s sophomore poetry collection, Common Place (Coach House), won a spot among 8 finalists in the category of Lesbian Poetry at the 30th Annual Lambda Literary Awards.
Presented by Lambda Literary, America’s oldest and largest literary arts organization advancing LGBTQ literature, The Lammys, which receive national and international media attention, bring together 600 attendees—including nominees, celebrities, sponsors, and publishing executives—to honour excellence in LGBTQ publishing.
Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Skirball Centre for the Performing Arts on June 4th in New York City.