This year marks the 70th presentation of the Governor General's Literary Awards, Canada's oldest and most prestigious award for English- and French-language Canadian literature. More than 1,400 books have been submitted for the 2006 awards, in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, children's literature (text), children's literature (illustration), and translation.
The Canada Council for the Arts funds, administers and promotes the Governor General's Literary Awards, worth $15,000 each. Each winner will also receive a specially-crafted copy of the winning book. The publisher of each winning book will receive $3,000 to support promotional activities. Non-winning finalists will each receive $1,000 in recognition of their selection as finalists, bringing the total value of the Awards to more than $300,000.
BMO Financial Group has been the generous sponsor of the Governor General's Literary Awards since 1988. The Canada Council for the Arts is grateful to BMO Financial Group for its support.
Bookmark these dates!
Monday, October 16, 10 a.m. - Announcement of finalists
English-language finalists: Nicholas Hoare45 Front St, E., Toronto.
French-language finalists: Librairie Olivieri5219 Côte des Neiges Road, Montreal
The list of finalists, together with downloadable images of the covers of the shortlisted books, will be posted on the Canada Council's web site as of 11:00 a.m. EDT on October 16.
Monday, October 23, 8 p.m. - Reading at the International Festival of Authors
The English-language fiction finalists will read from their shortlisted books as part the International Festival of Authors at the Premiere Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
For more information about the reading, contact Lindsey Love, IFOA publicist, at 416-973-4147.
Thursday, November 16 to Monday, November 20 - Salon du livre de Montréal
The finalists' books will be highlighted at the Canada Council booth at the Salon du livre de Montréal, Place Bonaventure.
Tuesday, November 21, 10 a.m. - Announcement of winners
English-language winners: Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E., Toronto
French-language winners: La Grande Bibliothèque de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 475 de Maisonneuve Blvd. E., Montreal
The winners will speak at the news conferences and will be available for in-person and telephone interviews immediately following the announcements.
Wednesday, December 13, 6 p.m. - Awards presentation at Rideau Hall
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will present the 2006 Awards.
The awards presentation will be followed by a reception and dinner (by invitation only).
Media representatives wishing to cover the awards presentation should contact Lucie Brosseau at the Rideau Hall press office, 613-998-0287.
Thursday, December 14, 7 p.m. - Public reading by all Award winners
Reading by the winners of the 2006 Awards (all categories) in the Library and Archives Canada Auditorium (395 Wellington St., Ottawa).
Copies of the winning books will be on sale, and the winners will be available to sign their books at intermission and immediately following the reading.
For information about the reading, contact Library and Archives Canada, 613-996-5115.
Media contact:Donna BalkanSenior Communications Manager1-800-263-5588 or (613) 566-4414, ext. 4134Email this contactCarole BretonPublic Relations Officer1-800-263-5588 or (613) 566-4414, ext. 4523Email this contact
Interviews with authors: Diane Hargrave Public RelationsDiane Hargrave 416-467-9954dhprbks@interlog.comIn Montreal:Christopher DiRaddo CommunicationsChristopher DiRaddo 514-842-5087diraddo@videotron.ca
