Writers' Trust of Canada

Acclaimed Indigenous author Lee Maracle on decolonizing literature and the issues with books schools choose to iconize. Maracle looks retrospectively at her own writing life, contemporaries, and community, and asks why Indigenous women continuously come last in Canada.

The Latner Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize annually celebrates a Canadian poet’s entire body of work with a $25,000 prize. Listen to the 2020 prizewinner Armand Garnet Ruffo talk about his life, his development as a writer through five poetry collections, and the strong influence of his Ojibwe heritage on his work. Ruffo is interviewed by poet Kaie Kellough, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

The Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People is given annually to the author of an exceptional body of work in children's literature. The winner is selected by a three-member, independent judging panel. Listen to 2020 prizewinner Marianne Dubuc, a french-lanugage author and illustrator, discuss her use of fairy tales, how she finds time to work after having children, and how music helps her switch between different projects. Dubuc is interviewed by writer Susan Perren, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

The Writers' Trust Engel Findley Award is given to a mid-career writer in recognition of a remarkable body of work, and in anticipation of future contributions to Canadian literature. Listen to 2020 prizewinner Kerri Sakamoto discuss her early start to writing, how she went about including painful family memories in her stories about Japanese internment camps, and what the future may hold for her books. Sakamoto is interviewed by writer Timothy Taylor, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

The Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration of a Writing Life annually celebrates a senior Canadian poet’s with a $25,000 prize in recognition of literary excellence and lifelong devotion to writing. Listen to the 2020 prizewinner Dennis Lee discuss his lifelong fascination with ‘polyphony,’ which he illustrates by reading from his children’s and adult poetry. Lee is interviewed by publisher Patsy Aldana, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

The Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the Canadian writer of the year’s best novel or short story collection and rewards them with $50,000. The 2020 finalists were selected by a jury composed of writers Elisabeth de Mariaffi, Waubgeshig Rice, and Yasuko Thanh. Listen to them discuss what it was like to wade through 100+ books together and why they selected the five prize finalists they did.

The Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction is given for the year’s best work of Canadian nonfiction and spotlights books with a distinctive voice, as well as a persuasive and compelling command of tone, narrative, style, and technique. The eventual winner receives $60,000. The 2020 finalists were selected by a jury composed of writers Helen Knott, Sandra Martin, and Richard Wright. Listen to them discuss what it’s like to be on a literary prize jury, the tricks and techniques they used to wade through 100+ books, and what was remarkable about the finalists they chose.

Join the Writers’ Trust of Canada in celebrating the rising stars of Canadian literature. The country’s next generation of literary talent took the stage at the unveiling of a multi-faceted career development program that advances their careers and highlights their work with an endorsement from a proven, influential author. Five notable Canadian writers have each chosen one writer who is poised to produce exceptional and enduring creative work. Hear from program participants David Chariandy, Charlotte Gray, and Taras Grescoe, and meet the up-and-coming talents of Canadian literature: Melissa J. Gismondi, El Jones, Chelene Knight, Dana Mills, and Deborah Ostrovsky. The event was recorded on June 5, 2019, at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Jamaican Canadian writer Olive Senior shares observations and insights from her writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. She details her upbringing in Jamaica and the influence of the island’s culture and its peoples on her development as a writer, as well as her education and eventual migration to Canada. The lecture was recorded in Halifax’s Central Public Library during the 2019 OnWords Conference and was presented by the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

The $50,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection. Listen to 4 of the shortlisted authors for this prestigious award—Craig Davidson, Rawi Hage, Jen Neale and Kathy Page --in conversation at the Toronto International Festival of Authors on October 24, 2018. Hosted and moderated by Becky Toyne. 1:43 – Kathy Page 13:24 – Rawi Hage 24:47 – Jen Neale 34:04 – Craig Davidson 46:44 - Group discussion

Canadian playwright, novelist, and composer Tomson Highway shares observations and insights from his writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. He details his introduction and appreciation to Canadian literature, the emergence of Indigenous authors in Canadian publishing during the last 40 years, and the differences between languages, particularly between English, one of his adopted language, and Cree, his first language. The lecture was recorded in Toronto’s Fleck Dance Theatre during the 2018 Canadian Writers’ Summit.

The $50,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection. Listen to the shortlisted authors for this prestigious award--Carleigh Baker, Claire Cameron, David Chariandy, Omar El Akkad and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson--in conversation at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto on October 25, 2017. Hosted and moderated by Becky Toyne. 1:08 - Omar El Akkad 8:27 - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson 15:12 - Claire Cameron 24:30 - David Chariandy 32:08 - Carleigh Baker 39:57 - Group discussion

Canadian writer, essayist, and editor John Metcalf shares stories and insights from his writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. He details what makes good writing work with numerous examples, and reveals a touching anecdote about a remarkable intervention from Margaret Laurence herself that inspired him to encourage and guide several generations of younger writers. The lecture was recorded in Vancouver’s Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema during the 2017 OnWords Conference.

Hear three rising stars of Canadian literature (Tyler Engström, Domenica Martinello, and Noor Naga) read their poems during the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award ceremony. This is an award that highlights Canada’s best, developing writers, and it has a track-record for spotlighting future bestselling and literary-award winning talent. Hosted by poet Laura Clarke, who won the Wallace Award in 2013, this podcast concludes with the announcement of this year’s prizewinner. The prize presentation ceremony was recorded in Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music on May 31, 2017. 1:14 - 7:15 -- Tyler Engström reading "after thoughts"; 7:16 - 13:07 -- Domenica Martinello reading "All Day I Dream About Sirens"; 13:08 - 21:05 -- Noor Naga reading "The Mistress and the Ping".

Zoe Whittall is the author of 4 books of fiction and 3 collections of poetry. In 2008, following the publication of her first novel, Bottle Rocket Hearts, she received the Dayne Ogilvie Award for LGBT Emerging Writers. She appeared at the Women’s Art Association in Toronto to talk about her new novel, The Best Kind of People, a gripping story about a crisis of trust and suspicion that develops when a family patriarch and affable small town hero is accused of sexual impropriety. The event was part of the Writers’ Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on May 17, 2017.

Heather O’Neill is the author of 4 books of fiction including the novels Lullabies for Little Girls and The Girl Who Was Saturday Night. She appeared at the Women’s Art Association in Toronto to talk about her new novel, The Lonely Hearts Hotel, a spell-binding story about two gifted orphans in Montreal whose magnetism and talent allow them to imagine a sensational future. The event was part of the Writers’ Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Vancouver writer Stacey Matson is the author of the belly-aching, laugh-out-loud Diary of Total Genius trilogy of books that are about the trials and tribulations of junior high student Arthur Bean. She recently the first three months of 2017 in Dawson City, Yukon, as the writer-in-residence at Berton House Writers’ Retreat. While there she worked on a mystery novel for kids about D.B. Cooper, the infamous 1970s skyjacker who parachuted from a plane with $200,000 and was never seen again. This recording is taken from the last days of her residency when she spoke at the Dawson City Community Library about her Yukon experience, her development as a writer, and read excerpts from past work as well as her current work-in-progress. The event was produced by the library in association with CFYT 106.9FM The Spirit of Dawson.

Gary Barwin is the author of 20 books including the award-nominated Yiddish for Pirates. He appeared at the Women’s Art Association in Toronto to talk about this audacious and playful book about pirates, parrots, Jews, jewels, the Inquisition, gold, and a girl. The event was part of the Writers’ Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on March 29, 2017.

Irish-born Canadian writer Emma Donoghue recently published the novel The Wonder, a thrilling drama about a ‘fasting girl’ in 1850s Ireland. She appeared at the Women's Art Association in Toronto to discuss her latest novel as well as her experiences adapting her novel Room into an Oscar-nominated film. The event was part of the Writers' Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on February 15, 2017.

Beloved Canadian writer Jane Urquhart recently published A Number of Things: Stories About Canada Told Through 50 Objects, which weaves together a rich and surprising narrative that speaks to our collective experience as a nation. She appeared at the Women's Art Association in Toronto to discuss this unique, engrossing book that takes readers on a tour of our nation’s history. The event was part of the Writers' Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on December 7, 2016.

The Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the Canadian writer of the year’s best novel or short story collection and rewards them with $25,000. The prize celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The 2016 finalists were selected by a jury composed of writers Lauren B. Davis, Trevor Ferguson, and Pasha Malla. Listen to them discuss what it’s like to be on a literary prize jury, the tricks and techniques they used to wade through the 130+ books they read, and why they selected the finalists they did.

Ottawa writer Alan Cumyn is an award-winning author of a wide range of literary novels for children and adults. He recently published Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend, a YA novel with an outrageous premise about a teenaged dinosaur enrolled in a high school attended by humans. The manuscript of the novel was completed a couple of years ago in Dawson City, Yukon, while Alan was our writer-in-residence at the Berton House Writers’ Retreat. This recording is taken from the last days of his residency when he spoke at the Dawson City Community Library about his Yukon experience, read from a draft of Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend, and answered audience questions. The event was produced by the library in association with CFYT 106.9FM The Spirit of Dawson.

Canadian children’s literature pioneer Jean Little shares stories and insights from her writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. She speaks about the influential role her father had on her development as a writer, the challenges she faced and continues to battle in getting writing for young readers taken seriously, and the obstacles she overcame as a visually-impaired person. Little is joined on stage by her sister Pat de Vries. The lecture was recorded in Toronto Harbourfront Centre Theatre during the 2016 Canadian Writers’ Summit.

Hear three rising stars of Canadian literature (Brendan Bowles, Allegra McKenzie, and Hannah Rahimi) read from their short fiction during the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award ceremony. This is an award that highlights Canada’s best, developing writers, and it has a track-record for spotlighting future bestselling and literary-award winning talent. Hosted by novelist Alissa York, who won the Wallace Award in 1999, this podcast concludes with the announcement of this year’s prizewinner. The prize presentation ceremony was recorded in Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music on June 8, 2016. 1:27 - 5:49 -- Brendan Bowles reading "Wyatt Thurst"; 5:50 - 11:04 -- Allegra McKenzie reading "This Monstrous Heart"; 11:05 - 16:23 -- Hannah Rahimi reading "With My Scarf Tied Just So".

Bestselling fantasy fiction author Guy Gavriel Kay shares his insights about the writing life during the Margaret Laurence Lecture. Kay eschewed an autobiographical approach in his talk about his writing life, arguing instead that the value of a writer’s life lies in the words they give us, not the life they lead. The lecture was recorded in his hometown of Winnipeg at the Eckhardt Grametté Hall in 2015.

Acclaimed poet Lorna Crozier shares her insights about the writing life during the Margaret Laurence Lecture. Inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke, Crozier frames her lecture as a series of ten letters written to a young poet, sharing stories of what has mattered most to her and passing on words of wisdom. The lecture was recorded at the Canadian Nature of Museum in 2013.

Poet, novelist, and essayist Dionne Brand shares her insights about the writing life during the Margaret Laurence Lecture. Entitled "Versos 11," Brand's lecture is an ode to what is written and what is withheld, what is said and what is left unsaid. She explores the recursive nature of the left-hand page while recreating past memories using masterfully rhythmic language. The lecture was recorded at the Vancouver Public Library in 2012.

Kingston writer Diane Schoemperlen recently published This Is Not My Life: A Memoir of Love, Prison, and Other Complications, her story of a turbulent 6-year relationship with a prison inmate serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. She appeared at the Women's Art Association in Toronto to discuss this candid, often wry, and sometimes disturbing memoir. The event was part of the Writers' Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on May 18, 2016.