Earlier this week, the Victoria Book Prize Society announced the finalists for the 2017 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize.
The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is awarded to a Greater Victoria author for the best book published in the preceding year in the categories of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. The five finalists are:
- M.A.C. Farrant, for the poetry collection The Days: Forecasts, Warnings, Advice (Talonbooks)
- Kevin Patterson, for the novel News from the Red Desert (Random House Canada)
- Steven Price, for the historical fiction By Gaslight (McClelland & Stewart)
- Yasuko Thanh, for the novel Mysterious Fragrance of the Yellow Mountains (Hamish Hamilton)
- Patricia Young, for the poetry collection Short Takes on the Apocalypse (Biblioasis) [poetry]
The Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize, celebrating its 10th year, is awarded to an author or illustrator for the best children’s book published in the preceding year. The three finalists are:
- Kari Jones, At the Edge of the World (Orca Book Publishers)
- Margriet Ruurs, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey (Orca Book Publishers)
- Robin Stevenson, Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community (Orca Book Publishers)
The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on Wednesday, October 11.
Founded in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies and awards the winner $5,000. The Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize was founded in 2008 and awards the winner $5,000. Two independent juries comprised of representatives from the literary arts community adjudicate the entries for literary merit. The Victoria Book Prize Society facilitates both awards.