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I have been a librarian since 2005 – and I have been a bibliophile for far longer than I care to admit -- so for me having an evening celebrating the literary and publishing talent of Saskatchewan is the equivalent of the buzz one hears at several author readings combined into one. A room of twenty people talking about a specific author before and after an author reading is about having several conversations – either talking about previous works in anticipation of the reading (as well as catching up with friends and neighbours) to after the reading as soon as the Q & A session is over.
The writing and publishing of a book is a painstaking and often lonely process that combines creativity with that of a business model in order to provide a final product for Saskatchewan readers. The relationship an individual has with a book is also a solitary exercise. The reader is actually engaging in an act of receiving and interpreting the story as told by the author. Therefore, an author reading serves to bring together readers in a community setting. It is also a rare moment when an author directly engages with her reading public and vice versa. The author reads a part of her work, explains her creative process, and answers questions about character and plot lines. Not only does the community benefit from having a relationship in person with an author they admire the author also engages her reading public in a way that goes beyond the solitary process of writing. Interpretations by readers may stimulate new ideas for future work as well as point out observations about a character in the work the author herself has not considered. Relationships between authors and readers are developed.
Over the years I have hosted author readings by Saskatchewan writers as varied as Arthur Slade whose Young Adult books are of Saskatchewan Book and Governor General Award winning-calibre; to Gail Bowen whose mysteries have a national and an international following; to poet Louise Halfe, whose vivid prose entrances; to James Daschuk, whose work is part of the national conversation about Indigenous rights. Books can entertain, inform, or even provoke the reader. Ulimately, the best authors engage their readers.
I am looking forward to being in the company of Saskatchewan’s talented writers, publishers, and most importantly, eager readers at the 2020 Saskatchewan Book Awards on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at the Conexus Arts Centre, in Regina. I hope that many Saskatchewan readers will join me in a celebration of Saskatchewan literary excellence.
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To Saskatchewan Book Awards many Friends our office will be closed from Tueday, December 24, 2019 to Thursday, January 2, 2020. The office will reopen on Friday, January 23, 2020.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from the SBA Board, Executive Director, and volunteers!
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The Saskatchewan Book Awards will be announcing its "Shortlist" for the 2020 Saskatchewan Book Awards on Friday, February 14, at Noon. The announcement will occur simultaneously at the Regina Public Library and the Saskatoon Public Library. It will be the beginning of a year-long celebration of Saskatchewan literary and publishing excellence. Stay tuned!
Furthermore, the 2020 Saskatchewan Book Awards will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Once again, it will take place in Regina at the Conexus Arts Centre. Come celebrate literary excellence with some of Saskatchewan's (and Canada's) best writers and publishers. Stay tuned for when tickets go on sale. Don't miss out!
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On Monday, November 4, ED Kam Teo, board chair, Donna Woloshyn, and board member, Jack Walton, attended the Saskatchewan Arts Board’s (SAB) Annual Gala, which took place in Saskatoon, at the Persephone Theatre. The Saskatchewan Book Awards were nominated in the Leadership-Organizational Award category. The SAB Award was won by Common Weal Community Arts. The third nominee was Paved Arts, Saskatoon. To be nominated for a Saskatchewan Arts Board Award is already an honour. Saskatoon board member, Jack Walton, also enjoyed the evening’s festivities.
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On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, Legislative Librarian, Melissa Bennett, arranged for the SBA, to once again, co-host a noon hour reading by three SBA award winning authors at the Legislative Library. SBA's new Executive Director, Kam Teo, moderated the event.
Reading from his book, Clifford, Harold R Johnson, recipient of the SBA's 2019 University of Saskatchewn Non-Fiction Award, delves into a personal memoir and reflection on the relationship between himself and his charismatic younger brother who passed away.
Valerie Korinek, recipient of SBA's 2019 Jennifer Welsh Scholarly Writing Award, read excerpts from her book, Prairie Fairies. Her book which is based on immersive research, "paints a broad and authentic picture of LGBTQ2S life and experience on the prairies from the Depression to the mid 1980s".
Arthur Slade's reading featured excerpts from Crimson, a book that won him the SBA's 2019 G. Murray and Edna Forbes Young Adult Literature Award. Slade's dark edged fantasy takes "readers into a world of wild magic immersing them in a story that flows with the otherworldly feel of a myth or legend, one built on the model of medieval Asia".
Approximately 70 people, including members of the Legislative Assembly and the general public, enjoyed the reading and the luncheon provided by the Legislative Library.
Following the event, all three authors along the SBA's Chairperson, Donna Woloshyn, and Executive Director, Kam Teo, were introduced at the afternoon opening of Saskatchewan's Legislative Assembly.
The SBA also wishes to acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the grant provided to SBA to make these readings avialable to the public.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENT
The Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Kam Teo, as our new Executive Director! Kam brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in Saskatchewan's public library system and community development. Kam will be joining the SBA on October 7 when SBA will resume its regular office hours from Monday to Friday.
SBA SHORTLISTED FORSHORTLISTED FOR SASKATCHEWAN ARTS BOARD AWARD
Saskatchewan Books Awards is one of three nominees, along with Common Weal Community Arts and PAVED Arts, shortlisted for the Saskatchewan Arts Board Organization Award. Awards honouring Saskatchewan artists and organizations supporting the arts will be presented on the evening of Monday, November 4, 2019 at the Frank & Ellen Remai Arts Centre in Saskatoon.
The public is invited to attend this gala evening. Tickets are $60 and are available at persephonetheatre.org/stages/events.
The event starts with Snacks and Sips from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm with presentations to follow at 7:30 pm. For more information, contact:
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY READING - Wednesday October 30 (12 pm to 1 pm)
2405 Legislative Drive, Regina
The Saskatchewan Book Awards and the Legislative Library are pleased to host award winning authors, Arthur Slade, Valerie Korinek and Harold Johnson, who will read from their works. Bring a friend and come and meet authors after the readings.
Lunch will be provided. No registration required.
2. RIVER VOLTA READING - TBA November 27, 2019 - Saskatoon
CALL FOR 2020 SASKATCHEWAN BOOK AWARDS SUBMISSIONS
The deadline for submissions for the 2020 Saskatchewan Book Awards is open until Friday, November 1, 2019.
Saskatchewan Book Awards looks forward to receiving your submissions. The mandate and criteria for each award, along with entry forms and a full description of our jury process is included on our website at https://www.bookawards.sk.ca/awards/award-criteria.
In most of the awards, books published on or after November 1, 2018 and no later than October 31, 2019 are eligible. Please be aware that the eligibility date for the Children’s Literature Award is calculated from a publication date of on or after November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2019 as this award is offered every other year. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for each award entered.
For more information visit our website at www.saskbooks.sk.ca or contact the SBA office by email at: