FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

VICTORIA, BC – Celebrating 13 years, the Victoria Book Prize Society is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2016 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize.

The $5,000 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:

Frances Backhouse – Once They Were Hats: In Search of the Mighty Beaver, non-fiction (ECW Press)

Tricia Dower – Becoming Lin, fiction (Caitlin Press)

Pauline Holdstock – The Hunter and the Wild Girl, fiction (Goose Lane)

Arleen Paré – He Leaves His Face in the Funeral Car, poetry (Caitlin Press)

Laura Trunkey – Double Dutch, fiction (House of Anansi)

The ninth annual $5,000 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize is awarded to an author or illustrator for the best children’s book published in the preceding year. The three finalists are:

Dawn Green – In the Swish, ages 13+ (Red Deer Press)

Jenny Manzer – Save Me, Kurt Cobain, ages 12+ (Delacorte)

Robin Stevenson – The Summer We Saved the Bees, ages 9+ (Orca Book Publishers)

Two independent juries comprised of representatives from the literary arts community adjudicated the entries for literary merit. The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala to be held on Wednesday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Union Club of British Columbia, 805 Gordon Street. Tickets are $20 and are available now at Bolen Books, Munro’s Books, Ivy’s Bookshop and the Victoria Book Prize Society by calling 250-595-8430.

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. The Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize was founded in 2008. Additional sponsors include the Union Club of British Columbia, Friesens Corporation, Island Blue Print, Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Chateau Victoria, Greater Victoria Public Library, and CBC Radio.

The Victoria Book Prize Society establishes policy and criteria for the prizes, administers the competition and appoints the juries. For more information: web link.

For more information contact Kate Pollock, President, Victoria Book Prize Society, 250-896-8123 or visit web link Posted: Sep 14, 2016 Originally Published: Sep 14, 2016