The literary world was set abuzz on May 21, as the finalists for the 2014 Trillium Book Award were released. The shortlist features five Ottawa-based authors, who are all French-language finalists for the award.
The Trillium Book Award is presented every year, administered by Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC). It is the province’s leading award for literature. Established in 1987 by the Government of Ontario, the Trillium Award aims to recognize, support, and create public awareness for the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their work. In 1994, the Prix Trillium was added to extend support to francophone authors and publishers.
The award is open to books of any genre including fiction, non-fiction, drama, children’s books and poetry. Anthologies and translations are not eligible, however. The winner of the award is determined by a jury of writers and figures in the literary community.
The winner of the 2014 Trillium Book Award will be announced June 17, 2014. The award includes a prize of $20,000 to the author, and $2,500 to the publisher to go towards promotion and marketing purposes. The alumni of previous Trillium Book Award winners includes names like Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and Michael Ondaatje.
Meet the five finalists:
Born in Ottawa, Andrée Christensen is a poet, novelist, literary translator and visual artist who has published over twenty titles including novels, stories, and poetry collections. She is the winner of the 2007 Ottawa Book Award and the 2008 Prix Le Droit. Racines de neige is a collection of poetry meant to be enjoyed in tranquil moments, like falling snow. The collection is accompanied by her own artworks.
Véronique-Marie Kaye is a two-time winner of the Prix O’Neill-Karch and has just published another novel, Eulalie la Cigogne. Her novel Afghanistan is her first book for teenage readers, about two young immigrants who have just an hour to convince each other to accept their dream for the future.
Author Danièle Vallée has published seven books, including three short story collections. She and visual artist Suzon Demers collaborated to create Sous la jupe, a collection of 14 short stories inspired by the paintings of 14 female subjects. In each short story, the subjects of these paintings come to life as characters. Though she is originally from Sherbrooke, Danièle Vallée has lived in Ottawa for many years.
Daniel Groleau-Landry is a theatre graduate of the University of Ottawa living in Orleans. He is the creator of Les Productions Àlacharge, which is a multidisciplinary organization of young artists in the national capital region. Rêver au reel is a collection of poetry presenting the stages of awakening, using rhymes and alliterations to express his thoughts.
Michèle Matteau is a poet, playwright, novelist and short story writer. She is the winner of the 2002 Trillium Book Award and the 2010 Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French. Her collection of poetry, Le fol aujourd’hui, is about human actions and their chaotic relationship with nature.