| How big a deal is it to have one of your stories selected for McClelland & Stewart’s Journey Prize anthology? Very big, because it means you’re entering the ranks of such authors as André Alexis, Elizabeth Hay, Lisa Moore and M.G. Vassanji – all of whom have appeared in previous editions of the annual collection, now renamed The Journey Prize Stories: From the Best of Canada’s New Writers.
So it was a significant consecration for Calgary writer Jessica Grant when her first published story, "My Husband’s Jump," was selected for this year’s 15th-anniversary Journey anthology. But what was even better was the news Grant received on March 3 that she had won this year’s $10,000 Writers’ Trust of Canada/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize for the best story in the book.
The jury praised Grant’s writing as "virtually flawless" without "a word more or less than required." Praise doesn’t get much better than that. The Malahat Review in Victoria also gets a share in the joy – plus $2,000 by way of recognition and support for literary journals – for having the discernment to publish the story in the first place. And the people in the University of Calgary’s creative writing program, where Grant is working toward a PhD, wear smiles of satisfaction as they go about their duties.
It’s a busy week of launches and readings. Pages on Kensington is behind two events that – nota bene – do not take place at the bookstore. On Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m., Robert Hilles launches his novel A Gradual Ruin at the Kensington Riverside Inn (1126 Memorial Drive N.W.). There’s wine. There’s cheese. Then, on Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown, you can hear Joel Bakan, writer of the documentary film The Corporation and the book of the same name. Audiences loved it at the Calgary International Film Festival, Amsterdam’s International Documentary Festival and at Sundance, and it will be opening at the theatre on Friday, March 19.
At McNally Robinson, novelist Robert Hough reads from The Stowaway on Monday, March 15. On Wednesday, March 17, Ted Chamberlin reads from If This Is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Chamberlin’s previous books include The Harrowing of Eden: White Attitudes Towards Native Americans and Come Back to Me My Language: Poetry and the West Indies. Poet Gerald Hill reads from his new book Getting to Know You on Thursday, March 18. All three readings are at 7:30 p.m.
Also on March 18, the W.R. Castell Central Library hosts Warren Cariou, reading from his book Lake of the Prairies: A Story of Belonging. Cariou’s reading is in Meeting Room #1 at the library, and you should pre-register by calling 221-2785.
Finally, an important correction: the deadline for submissions to the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Award is May 3. The date I gave in last week’s column is incorrect. Details are available at 640-2273 or e-mail jcfc@cjcc.ca. |
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