2025 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD
JURIES AND WINNING PUBLISHERS

June 18, 2024

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD/PRIX TRILLIUM

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction winning titles.

Now in its 38th year, the Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium has a long tradition of recognizing literary excellence. The 2025 finalists make up a diverse and exciting library of Ontario books, highlighting this year’s best homegrown literature and creating a top-notch “Read Ontario” booklist to discover – from novels to poetry to non-fiction and more.

We thank the members of the juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors.

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD JURIES

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• Elyse Friedman is a critically acclaimed author of six books. Her work has been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award, The Toronto Book Award, the Relit Award and the Tom Hendry Award. Her short story “The Soother,” won the gold National Magazine Award for fiction, and she has twice won the TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award. Elyse lives in Toronto.

• Naben Ruthnum is the author of Helpmeet, A Hero of Our Time, The Grimmer, and other books. He also works as a screenwriter, and lives in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto.

• Anuja Varghese (she/her) is an award-winning writer based in Hamilton, ON. Her work has appeared in several literary magazines and anthologies, and she is the Fiction Editor at the Ex-Puritan. In 2023, Her short story collection, titled Chrysalis, won the Writers Trust of Canada Dayne Ogilvie Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, and in 2024, was longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. Her debut novel, A Kiss of Crimson Ash, the first in a new fantasy trilogy inspired by medieval India, is forthcoming in Spring 2026. Find Anuja online through her website anujavarghese.com.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Conyer Clayton is a queer writer from Kentucky living in Ottawa. Their latest book of surrealist prose poetry, But the sun, and the ships, and the fish, and the waves. won the Archibald Lampman Award. They are a Senior Editor at Augur and a member of VII, an Ottawa-based poetry collective, and you can find their fiction, essays, and poetry published in journals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their third full-length collection of poetry is forthcoming in 2026 with Buckrider Books, Wolsak and Wynn. They are working on a novel with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, and The Tin House Summer 2025 Workshop.

• David Seymour has published two full length books of poetry, Inter Alia (Brick Books), and For Display Purposes Only (Coach House Books), and a chapbook entitled Head Arrangements (Junction Books). In addition to writing and editing, David has also worked in the film and television industry as an Assistant Director and, later, as the Director of Member Services for the Directors Guild of Canada. He currently resides in Lakehurst, Ontario.
• Moez Surani’s writing has been published internationally, including in Harper’s Magazine, Best American Experimental Writing, Best Canadian Poetry, and the Globe and Mail. His visual and performance works have been shown at Nuit Blanche Toronto, YYZ Artists' Outlet, WhiteBox in New York, the Cross Gallery in Taipei and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Centre. He is the author of the poetry books Operations and Are the Rivers in Your Poems Real, and the novel, The Legend of Baraffo.

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD AND TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

• Lisa L’Heureux is the artistic director at Théâtre Rouge Écarlate (RÉ, Ottawa), as well as a deep-diving artist, a unifier and a tinkerer. She is drawn to fragments, the unspoken, discomfort and the ephemeral.
  She is the author of several solo plays, including Ciseaux (RÉ, 2014), Pour l'hiver (RÉ, 2015: awarded the 2017 Prix Jacques-Poirier), Et si un soir (RÉ, 2018: winner of the 2019 Trillium Award and nominated for the Governor General’s Award the same year), as well as several co-written works, including Cadences (Théâtre Belvédère, 2021), Tapage et autres bruits sourds (Poids Plumes + NAC French Theatre, 2018), Love is in the birds (Théâtre du Trillium, 2013) and Comment frencher un fonctionnaire sans le fatiguer (Poids Plumes, 2014). She is also the author of children’s play Parmi les monstres (winner of the 2025 Écrivaines et Écrivains Associés du Théâtre [E.A.T.] children’s award) and of poetry collection Haus (published by Prise de parole, 2025).

• Eunice Boué is a communicator, entrepreneur and mistress of ceremonies with over 12 years of experience hosting corporate events, galas, conferences, symposiums, forums and masterclasses. She is known for her stage presence, ease and professionalism.
  As Executive Director of the Toronto French Book Fair, she actively promotes Francophone literature in Ontario. She established the young literary talent award, already in its second edition, and leads the CLIN project, an inclusive book club that criss-crosses Toronto to connect communities with French-language literature.
  
  The founder of U-Event, an agency specializing in communications and public relations, she supports numerous cultural and institutional projects. Her commitment is recognized through her roles as Ambassador of the Francophonie of the Americas, finalist for the 2024 Prix GAF and chair of the 2025 Prix RelèveON awarded by the Club canadien de Toronto, where she also sits on the board of directors.
  
  She hosts radio show Zoom Franco on Choq FM, which celebrates the French-speaking world. Eunice has a degree in art and literature and a master’s degree in education, and she contributes actively to promoting Francophone initiatives in Canada and internationally.

• Katia Grubisic is a writer, an editor and a translator. She has won the Gerald Lampert Award, the Cole Foundation Prize for Translation and the Governor General’s Award.

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

• Penguin Random House Canada, the country’s largest book publisher, aims to nourish a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. They publish over 500 new original titles per year in the North American market and distribute another 10,000 titles in Canada on behalf of Penguin Random House publishers in the U.S. and the U.K. and many clients. They also run their own Toronto-based audiobook program and in-house recording studio, employing Canadian artists, authors, and directors. (Random House Canada/Penguin Random House Canada for I’m So Glad We Had This Time TogetherbyMaurice Vellekoop).

• Brick Books is a hub and a home for poets and lovers of poetry. Founded by Stan Dragland and Don McKay in 1975, the press began by publishing chapbooks. They now publish full-length volumes of an individual author’s work, with an average of eight new books and nine reprints every year. Brick Books’ mandate has, from the beginning, been to foster compelling work by Canadian poets and translators of poetry, both new and established. More recently, they have added to this mandate a commitment to continually expand the range of voices that they employ and amplify, while maintaining the exceptional editorial standard for which Brick Books has gained a national reputation. (Brick Books forDADDYby Jake Byrne).

• Les Éditions du Boréal sont une maison d’édition canadienne, basée à Montréal, qui publie en langue française de la littérature générale. Fondée en 1963, elle est devenue au fil des ans l’une des principales maisons indépendantes, respectée pour la qualité de ses publications. Nombre de ses auteurs ont reçu des prix tant au Canada qu’à l’étranger. Le Boréal publie une quarantaine de nouveautés par année, et son catalogue compte plus de 2 500 titres. (Les Éditions du Boréal forCéline au Congoby Aristote Kavungu)

• La ligne éditoriale de Comme des géants se concentre sur la production exclusive d’albums jeunesse illustrés, voués principalement aux enfants de 0 à 12 ans. Depuis sa fondation, la société a publié 97 titres, sous ses trois bannières: Comme des géants, Le Lièvre de Mars, et tout récemment, Milky Way Picture Books. Comme des géants a également pour mission de faire découvrir le talent créatif d’une myriade d’auteur·e·s et d’illustrateur·trice·s d’ici et d’ailleurs. (Comme des géants forLe Bonnet Magiqueby Mireille Messier).

ABOUT US
Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

MEDIA CONTACT

Katie Duklas
Media Profile
katie.duklas@mediaprofile.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario’s Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium Winners Announced
Winners reflect the excellence and diversity of Ontario’s literary talent

TORONTO | June 18, 2025 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Trillium Book Awards / Prix Trillium, the province’s most prestigious literary prize for English and French-language Ontario authors. The Trillium Book Awards/Prix Trillium spotlight local authors and publishers; encouraging Canadians to enjoy homegrown stories and support the provincial economy.

Now in its 38th year, the Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium has a proud tradition of recognizing excellence in writing. This year’s winners reflect the rich diversity of Ontario’s literary landscape. Find out more about these authors and their winning titles here.

Trillium Book Award (English) | WINNER

• I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together, Maurice Vellekoop (Random House Canada / Penguin Random House Canada)

Prix littéraire Trillium (French) | WINNER

• Céline au Congo, Aristote Kavungu (Les Éditions du Boréal)
  

Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English) | WINNER

• DADDY, Jake Byrne (Brick Books)

Prix du livre jeunesse Trillium (French) | WINNER

• Le bonnet magique, Mireille Messier (Comme des géants)
  

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners were announced during an awards ceremony this evening at the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library. The winners and finalists reflect the best of Ontario literature, offering readers the opportunity to discover outstanding new works and “Read Ontario” this summer. Learn more about the 2025 Trillium Book Award finalists here.

QUOTES

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Trillium Book Awards! Now more than ever, it’s important to recognize and celebrate Ontario’s world-class literary talent and support the growth of our diverse literary culture and heritage. I encourage everyone to take time this summer to enjoy the unique voices and perspectives that make the works of today’s winners and all Ontario authors so special.”
~ Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

“Congratulations to the winners, finalists and publishers of the 2025 Trillium Book Awards. For nearly four decades, this award has honoured the best of Ontario’s literary talent, showcasing the vibrancy of Ontario’s creative economy. This year’s winners join the ranks of celebrated authors like Michael Ondaatje and Margaret Atwood, continuing a legacy of excellence. We invite all Canadians to discover and champion their works by visiting local independent bookstores and libraries.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• There were 16 Finalists nominated for the 2025 Trillium Book Awards in the four categories. Ontario Creates thanks the juries of this year's awards and congratulates the publishers of these titles.

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.

• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.

• Le Prix du livre jeunesse Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.

• Previous winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Stuart Ross, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Gilles Lacombe, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.

• Ontario is home to the country’s largest book publishing industry, contributing $980M to our economy and supporting over 6,000 jobs each year. The publishing industry is both culturally significant and an economic driving force for the province.

LEARN MORE
Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Media contact:
Katie Duklas, Media Profile katie.duklas@mediaprofile.com
Aaliyah Corbin, Media Profile aaliyah.corbin@mediaprofile.com

Ontario Creates Announces 16 Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium Finalists

Finalist titles showcase Ontario’s abundant literary talent

TORONTO | May 6, 2025 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to announce the 16 finalists for the 2025 Trillium Book Awards / Prix Trillium, the province’s prestigious literary prize for English and French-language Ontario authors.

Now in its 38^th year, the Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium has a long tradition of recognizing literary excellence. The 2025 finalists make up a diverse and exciting library of Ontario books, highlighting this year’s best homegrown literature and creating a top-notch “Read Ontario” booklist to discover – from novels to poetry to non-fiction and more.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Wild Houses, Colin Barrett, McClelland & Stewart / Penguin Random House Canada
• My Fighting Family: Borders and Bloodlines and the Battles That Made Us, Morgan Campbell, McClelland & Stewart / Penguin Random House Canada
• Code Noir, Canisia Lubrin, Alfred A. Knopf Canada / Penguin Random House Canada
• Who Will Bury You? And Other Stories, Chido Muchemwa, Astoria / House of Anansi Press
• I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together, Maurice Vellekoop, Random House Canada / Penguin Random House Canada

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry:

• The Seventh Town of Ghosts, Faith Arkorful, McClelland & Stewart / Penguin Random House Canada
• DADDY, Jake Byrne, Brick Books
• Terrarium, Matthew Walsh, icehouse poetry / Goose Lane Editions

French-language Finalists for the Prix Trillium:

• Céline au Congo, Aristote Kavungu, Les Éditions du Boréal
• Toronto jamais bleue, Marie-Hélène Larochelle (Leméac Éditeur)
• Le prince africain, le traducteur et le nazi, Didier Leclair (Éditions David)
• Un lourd prix à payer, Claire Ménard-Roussy (Éditions David)
• Nickel City Fifs : Une épopée queer sudburoise sur fond de trous, Alex Tétreault (Prise de parole)

French-language Finalists for the Prix du livre jeunesse Trillium:

• Rose du désert, Michèle Laframboise (Éditions David)
• Le roi Poubelle, Eudes La Roche-Francoeur (Prise de parole)
• Le bonnet magique, Mireille Messier (Comme des géants)

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced during an award ceremony on June 18, 2025. We invite you to visit our website and join us on our social channels to celebrate these authors and their literary works.

QUOTES

“The Trillium Book Awards showcase Ontario’s artistic and cultural vibrancy. Amplifying their creative contributions, Ontario authors and publishers drive local economic growth, generating $980M and supporting over 6,000 jobs. Discover and champion this year’s finalists by visiting local bookstores and libraries, and ‘Read Ontario’ to make an investment in both our cultural sovereignty and economic vitality.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Le Prix du livre jeunesse Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.
• Previous winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Stuart Ross, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Gilles Lacombe, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Ontario is home to the country’s largest book publishing industry, contributing $980M to our economy and supporting over 6,000 jobs each year. The publishing industry is both culturally significant and an economic driving force for the province.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to deliver the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Media contact:

Katie Duklas
Media Profile
katie.duklas@mediaprofile.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

2024 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD
JURIES AND WINNING PUBLISHERS

June 20, 2024

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD/PRIX TRILLIUM

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction winning titles.

Among this year’s thirteen Trillium Book Award finalist titles in French and English, there are a variety of genres including short stories, novels fiction and non-fiction and poetry. Several of these Ontario authors are emerging voices, but many have been published to national acclaim. This year’s finalists explore the intricacies of personal relationships; they guide us on a quest to find belonging; they share with us the grief of a personal loss; and reveal to us the essence of being human. In short, they answer the question of what it means to be alive.

We thank the members of the juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors.

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD JURIES

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• Donna Bailey Nurse is a literary critic specializing in the work of Canadian authors and Black women writers from around the world. She is the author of What’s A Black Critic to Do? (Insomniac) and the editor of Revival: An Anthology of Black Canadian Writing (M&S). Her work has appeared in The Walrus, Maclean’s, The Toronto Star, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail and The Literary Review of Canada. Donna has been a juror for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, The Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction, The Amazon First Novel Prize, The Hilary Weston Writer’s Trust Award for Non-Fiction and The Windham Campbell Prize. She has interviewed many distinguished writers among them Toni Morrison, Esi Edugyan, Marilynne Robinson, Bernardine Evaristo, Edwidge Danticat and Jamaica Kincaid. Donna is a curator of literary events, most recently Beloved: A Celebration of Toni Morrison and Black Women Writers for the Luminato Festival. She is currently at work on an African- Canadian history called The Black Album, as well as a memoir of her Jamaican Canadian family, both for Harper Collins Canada. Visit her website at www.blackiris.co .

• Shawn Micallef is the author of Frontier City: Toronto on the Verge of Greatness, Full Frontal TO: Exploring Toronto’s Vernacular Architecture and The Trouble With Brunch. The expanded and updated edition of Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto was released in May 2024. He’s a Toronto Star columnist, instructor at University of Toronto, a Senior Fellow at Massey College and a co-founder of Spacing magazine.

• Souvankham Thammavongsa is the author of four poetry books, and the short story collection How to Pronounce Knife, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Trillium Book Award. Her stories have won an O. Henry Award and have appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Harper's Magazine, The Atlantic, and Granta. She is the only writer in the history of the prize to win both the Trillium Book Award for Poetry (2014) and the Trillium Book Award (2021).

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Andrew Faulkner is the author of two collections of poetry, Heady Bloom and Need Machine, both published by Coach House Books. He lives in Prince Edward County, where he works as an editor and strategist for Assembly Press and co-runs the PEP Rally poetry reading series.

• Jennifer LoveGrove is a poet and novelist. Her next full-length collection of poetry, The Tinder Sonnets, is forthcoming in 2025 with Book*hug. Her novel Watch How We Walk was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and Beautiful Children with Pet Foxes was longlisted for the Raymond Souster Award. She is currently at work on a new novel called Bone Harvesting. She works at the University of Toronto, and divides her time between downtown Toronto and Squirrel Creek Retreat in rural Ontario.

• Bermuda born, Jamaican heritage writer Dane Swan is the author of 5 books, including 2 books of short fiction and 3 books of poetry. His poetry collections include: The Trillium Book Prize for Poetry nominated A Mingus Lullaby, and the ReLit Poetry Prize nominated Love and Other Failed Religions. Dane is also the editor of the anthology Changing the Face of Canadian Literature, which was featured on CBC Books' 2020 Best Canadian Books list. Two of Dane's poems are featured in composer Paul Frehner's Sometimes the Devil Plays Fate, which premiered at the Lincoln Center in NY and Toronto's Temerty Theatre in 2022. Sometimes the Devil Plays Fate is the title track of Frehner's album with the Hamilton Philharmonic, released in 2023.

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• An engineer by training, Soufiane Chakkouche is a writer, journalist and screenwriter originally from Morocco who has lived in Toronto for the past five years. After the success of his debut novel, L’inspecteur Dalil à Casablanca, published in Morocco, he wrote a second detective novel, L’inspecteur Dalil à Paris, which was published in France by Éditions Jigal. This latter novel was a finalist for the prestigious 2019 Grand Prix de littérature policière. In 2021, his third novel, Zahra, was published in Canada by Éditions David. Far from the world of detective fiction, this work received a special mention from the jury for the 2022 Prix Champlain, in addition to being a finalist for the Prix Alain Thomas and the French-language Trillium Book Award. This makes Soufiane Chakkouche one of the few authors to be published on three different continents. In 2022, he published L’inspecteur Dalil à Beyrouth in France. His fifth novel is currently being published in Canada.

• Madeleine Stratford is a poet, literary translator and professor at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. She was awarded the Prix Orpheus in France for her first collection of poems, Des mots dans la neige (Anagrammes, 2009). Four of her translations have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023). Recent publications include Swallowed, her English translation of Réjean Ducharme’s Quebec classic L’Avalée des avalés (Véhicule Press, 2020) and Courir vers le danger, her French translation of Sarah Polley’s bestseller Run Towards the Danger (Boréal, 2024). Madeleine is currently working on writing a new book of poems under a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.

• Jennifer Tremblay co-founded Éditions de la Bagnole in 2004 and was its editor for nearly ten years. Since then, she has overseen the publication of works of all genres for several publishers and led a variety of projects on her own: writing workshops, creativity workshops, public readings, story-time sessions, conferences, artistic support and literary direction. In 2008, she received the Governor General’s Award for her play La liste, which has been translated into nine languages and produced on every continent, in addition to winning national and international awards. She has received several grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and has published picture books and novels for young people, novels for adults, poetry and plays.

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

• Invisible Publishing is a small, scrappy, and seriously good producer of contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, with an emphasis on Canadian authors. As a not-for-profit publisher, they are committed to publishing diverse voices and stories in beautifully designed and affordable editions. At heart, they are makers: they work hard on every book they publish to ensure the author’s vision is fully realized, and to help them reach as many readers as possible. (Invisible Publishing for The Clarion by Nina Dunic).

• Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 400 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry; books on social issues; gender studies; LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC literature; graphic novels and non-fiction; children's and young adult literature; regional history; cookbooks; alternative crafts; and books in translation. They are interested in literature that engages and challenges readers, and which asks probing questions about the world around us. (Arsenal Pulp Press for More Sure by A. Light Zachary).

• With an eye out for authentic voices, L’Interligne focuses on multicultural French-Canadian works that stand out for their exploration of contemporary issues and their original style, forging different paths that bring together the authors and their audiences. They publish a variety of literary genres – novels, short stories, poetry, theatre, drama and essays for adults,and fiction for young people. (Éditions L’Interligne for Vivre ou presque by Nicolas Weinberg).

ABOUT US
Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Media contact:

Michelle Gibson
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

ONTARIO CREATES ANNOUNCES THE 2024 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS
Celebrating Literary Excellence by Ontario Authors

TORONTO | June 20, 2024 | Ontario Creates is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Trillium Book Awards, honouring three Ontario authors with the province’s most prestigious literary prize.

From a richly textured novel that delves into the intricacies of human connection, to a captivating poetry collection that explores the landscapes of queer experiences, and poignant short stories that invite readers to embark on unexpected journeys, these works offer a rich tapestry of thought-provoking narratives and profound emotional experiences. Find out more about these authors and their winning titles here.

• Trillium Book Award (English) | WINNER
  Nina Dunic, The Clarion, Invisible Publishing

• Prix littéraire Trillium (French) | WINNER
  Nicolas Weinberg, Vivre ou presque, Éditions L'Interligne

• Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English) | WINNER
  A. Light Zachary, More Sure, Arsenal Pulp Press

QUOTES

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Trillium Book Awards, who join a revered class of creative talent that includes household names like Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood. The insight, creativity, and dedication of Ontario’s authors and poets ensure that our unique and diverse stories are celebrated at home and around the world. The Ontario government is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the talented writers and publishers who make enormous contributions to our culture, heritage, and economy.”
~ Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

"Ontario Creates is delighted to honour the 2024 Trillium Book Award finalists, winners and their publishers. For the past 37 years, this award has celebrated literary excellence and Ontario’s talented and innovative community of writers. We are proud to support book publishing in Ontario – which generates value for the province both culturally and economically, and brings our stories to readers here at home and around the globe.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• There were 13 Finalists nominated for the 2024 Trillium Book Awards in the three categories. Ontario Creates thanks the juries of this year's awards and congratulates the publishers of these titles. (Backgrounder Available)

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive marketing support to promote the winning titles.

• Three titles were short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 and their respective publishers receive marketing support to promote the winning titles.

• Ontario Creates did not receive the minimum number of submissions required to award the Prix de poésie Trillium in 2024; it is awarded in alternating years with the Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium, which was introduced in the 20^th Trillium year. The Prix Trillium is committed to promoting and supporting Franco-Ontarian poets—a special presentation during the event featured the past winners of the prize, showcasing the rich tradition of Franco-Ontarian poetry. The funds earmarked for the poets and publishers will go towards a group marketing campaign aimed at increasing the sales of Ontario’s French-language titles in bookstores across Canada. The Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium Book Award will be awarded in 2025.

• Previous Trillium winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Stuart Ross, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Gilles Lacombe, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.

• Ontario is home to the country’s largest book publishing industry, contributing $980M to our economy and supporting 6,130 jobs each year.
• Ontario’s book publishing industry generated 1.04 billion in operating revenues in 2020, representing 63% of total national industry operating revenues.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to oversee the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Media contact:

Michelle Gibson
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates Announces 13 Trillium Book Award Finalists

TORONTO | May 7, 2024 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to present the finalists for the 2024 Trillium Book Awards, the province’s most prestigious literary prizes for English and French-language Ontario authors.

The Trillium Book Award, now in its 37^th year, has a long tradition of recognizing literary excellence, and promoting the diversity of Ontario writers and their work. 13 titles are nominated for the 2024 Trillium Book Awards – across all genres, in English and French. This year’s finalists explore the intricacies of personal relationships; they guide us on a quest to find belonging; they share with us the grief of a personal loss; and reveal to us the essence of being human. In short, they answer the question of what it means to be alive.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Mike Barnes, Sleep is Now a Foreign Country: Encounters with the Uncanny, Biblioasis
• Nina Dunic, The Clarion, Invisible Publishing
• D.A. Lockhart, North of Middle Island, Kegedonce Press
• Kathryn Mockler, Anecdotes, Book*hug Press
• Zalika Reid-Benta, River Mumma, Penguin Canada / Penguin Random House Canada

French-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Martin Bélanger, La fin de nos programmes, Del Busso éditeur
• Andrée Christensen, Plonge, Freya, vole!, Les Éditions David
• David Ménard, L’aurore martyrise l’enfant, Éditions L'Interligne
• Paul Ruban, Le parfum de la baleine, Flammarion Québec
• Nicolas Weinberg, Vivre ou presque, Éditions L'Interligne

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English:

• Britta Badour, Wires that Sputter, McClelland & Stewart / Penguin Random House Canada
• Catriona Wright, Continuity Errors, Coach House Books
• A. Light Zachary, More Sure, Arsenal Pulp Press

Ontario Creates did not receive the minimum number of submissions required to award the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French this year. The Prix Trillium is committed to promoting and supporting Franco-Ontarian poets, and a special presentation at the event on June 20 will showcase past winners of the prize and spotlight the rich tradition of Franco-Ontarian poetry. Ontario Creates looks forward to consulting with our Francophone partners in the publishing community prior to the next edition of the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French. The Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French will be awarded in 2025.

Find out more about these established and emerging Ontario authors and their nominated works here.

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced during an award ceremony on June 20, 2024. We invite you to visit our website and join us on our social channels to discover and celebrate these authors and their literary works.

QUOTES

“Ontario authors continue to captivate the imaginations of readers at home and abroad. These visionary storytellers are breathing life into ideas and inspiring and entertaining audiences, establishing new standards for literary excellence while contributing to the continued growth of Ontario’s publishing industry. Congratulations to all finalists!”
~ The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year highlighting outstanding literary talent by Ontario authors and their publishers. The 2024 finalists showcase the depth and range of our literary heritage. We applaud these authors and their publishers who help in contributing $980M to Ontario’s economy, employing over 6,000 people. Bookmark these Trillium authors and support these titles at your local independent bookstore!
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize. This year, the required level of submissions was not met for le Prix de poésie Trillium. The Prix du livre d’enfant will be awarded in 2025 as scheduled.
• Previous winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Stuart Ross, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Gilles Lacombe, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Ontario is home to the country’s largest book publishing industry, contributing $980M to our economy and supporting 6,130 jobs each year. The publishing industry is both culturally significant and an economic driving force for the province.
• Ontario’s book publishing industry had 1.043B in operating revenues in 2020, representing 63% of total national industry operating revenues.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Media contact:

Michelle Gibson
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

ONTARIO CREATES ANNOUNCES THE 2023 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS
Four Ontario Authors Honoured with Ontario’s Top Literary Award

TORONTO | June 20, 2023 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Trillium Book Awards, honouring four Ontario authors with the province’s most prestigious literary prize.

Including collections of poetry meditating on the universality of grief, a surprising and startling debut collection, and an allegorical portrait of feminine identity, alongside a suspenseful adventure novel for children: the 2023 Trillium Award-winning titles captivate readers with compelling storytelling and literary excellence. Find out more about these authors and their winning titles here:

• Trillium Book Award (English) | WINNER
  The Book of Grief and Hamburgers, Stuart Ross (ECW Press)

• Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English) | WINNER
  My Grief, the Sun, Sanna Wani (House of Anansi Press)

• Prix Trillium (French) | WINNER
  Circé des hirondelles, Gilles Lacombe (Éditions L'Interligne)

• Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (French) | WINNER
  Le secret de Paloma, Michèle Laframboise (Éditions David)

QUOTES
"Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Trillium Book Awards! The Ontario Government is proud to showcase the outstanding achievements of our talented writers. The book industry brings immense value to the cultural landscape of Ontario while providing a boost to our economy.”
~ The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

"It’s our honour to celebrate the finalists and winners of the 2023 Trillium Book Award. As we mark the impressive 36^th year of Ontario’s premiere literary celebration, I am inspired by the remarkable storytelling power of these authors, and proud to support Ontario’s publishers to bring books to readers around the world.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• There were 16 Finalists nominated for the 2023 Trillium Book Awards in the four categories. Ontario Creates thanks the juries of this year's awards and congratulates the publishers of these winning titles. (Backgrounder available)
• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive marketing support to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles were short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 and their respective publishers receive marketing support to promote the winning titles.
• Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20^th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. In 2023, the Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium was awarded. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Award recipients will receive $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Previous winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Ann Shin, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.4 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of total national operating revenue at $980 million. Ontario’s publishing industry supports over 6,000 jobs.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Media contact:

Michelle Gibson
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates produces the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The Award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction titles for the yearly shortlist, and the winners. The Award is considered the province’s foremost honour for literature.

ABOUT TRILLIUM BOOK AWARDS

The Trillium Book Award recognizes excellence, supports marketing and fosters increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium is Ontario’s prestigious literary award for English and French-language Ontario authors.

WHO CAN APPLY TO TRILLIUM BOOK AWARDS?

The Trillium Award is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children’s books and poetry. Anthologies and translations are not eligible. A jury of writers and figures from the literary community judges all submissions and selects the winning titles.

All shortlisted nominees receive a $500 honourarium.

WHAT IS THE PRIX DU LIVRE D’ENFANT TRILLIUM?

Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.

In 2023, the Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium will be awarded.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE SHORTLIST AUTHORS?

All shortlist nominees receive a $500 honourarium.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE SHORTLISTED NOMINEES’S PUBLISHERS?

Publishers for all the shortlisted titles receive promotional grants for purposes of promoting their books: $2,300 for the Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium and $2,000 for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry and le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium en langue française.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNING AUTHORS?

Winning authors for The Trillium Book Award and Prix Trillium each receive a $20,000 award. The winners for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry, introduced during the 16th Trillium year to recognize new emerging poets, and le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium each receive $10,000.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNING TITLE’S PUBLISHERS?

Publishers of the winning titles receive additional grant funds in the amount of $2,500 for the main prizes and $2,000 for the children’s literature prizes

HOW ARE THE WINNERS CHOSEN?

Three jury members per language judge the submissions and select the shortlists and winning titles. This independent jury is composed of writers and other members of the literary community.

WHO ARE THE PAST WINNERS?

The quality of Ontario authors and writing speaks for itself with the international acclaim achieved by past Trillium winners including Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Timothy Findley and Anne Michaels. You can find a list of all past winners, here.

ABOUT ONTARIO CREATES

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists:

Michelle Gibson,
Associate Consultant
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney,
Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6632
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates Announces 16 Trillium Book Award Finalists

TORONTO | May 9, 2023 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to present the finalists for the 2023 Trillium Book Awards, the province’s most prestigious literary prizes for English and French-language Ontario authors.

The Trillium Book Award, now in its 36^th year, has a long tradition of recognizing literary excellence, and promoting the diversity of Ontario writers and their work. Sixteen titles are nominated for the 2023 Trillium Book Awards – across all genres, in English and French. Ranging from moving poetry to thought-provoking non-fiction and captivating drama, this year’s finalist titles spotlight Ontario’s great literary talent.

Trillium Book Award

• Charlie Angus, Cobalt: Cradle of the Demon Metals, Birth of a Mining Superpower
• Cliff Cardinal, William Shakespeare's As You Like It, A Radical Retelling
• Kathy Friedman, All the Shining People: Stories
• Emma Healey, Best Young Woman Job Book: A Memoir
• Stuart Ross, The Book of Grief and Hamburgers

Trillium Book Award for Poetry

• Madhur Anand, Parasitic Oscillations
• Laurie D. Graham, Fast Commute
• Sanna Wani, My Grief, the Sun

Prix Trillium

• Andrée Lacelle, dire
• Gilles Lacombe, Circé des hirondelles
• Gilles Latour, Feux du naufrage
• Marie-Thé Morin, Frontières libres
• Nancy Vickers, Capharnaüm

Prix du livre d’enfant

• Pierre-Luc Bélanger, Dany à la dérive
• Hélène Koscielniak, Mégane et Mathis
• Michèle Laframboise, Le secret de Paloma

Find out more about the 2023 Trillium Award finalists and their nominated work here.

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced at an industry event on June 20, 2023.

QUOTES

“Ontario's publishing industry continues to support over 6,000 jobs and contributes almost $1 billion annually to our economy as writers throughout the province consistently bring unique voices to our cultural life. Our government is proud to support the Trillium Book Awards and we offer a hearty congratulations to this year’s finalists.”
~ The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“Ontario Creates is proud to support Ontario’s writers and book publishers, both here at home and by bringing books to readers around the globe. The 2023 Trillium Book Award finalists are shining examples of the breadth of talent across the province; Ontario's authors enrich our national literary landscape. The book publishing industry is a key driver of Ontario’s economic growth, and each year the Trillium Book Awards present an ideal opportunity to discover new writers and support local businesses.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in the English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20^th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. In 2023, the Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium will be awarded. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Award recipients will receive $10,000 and their respective publishers receive support to promote the winning titles.
• Previous winners include internationally acclaimed authors as Ann Shin, Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.4 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of total national operating revenue at $980 million.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Media contact:

Michelle Gibson
Argyle PR
416-707-5044
mgibson@argylepr.com

Jennifer Pountney, Manager of Communications
Ontario Creates
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6632

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

ONTARIO CREATES ANNOUNCES THE 2022 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS
Ontario Creates celebrates four Ontario authors for literacy excellence

TORONTO | June 22, 2022 | Ontario Creates is thrilled to announce the winners of 35^th annual Trillium Book Award honouring four Ontario authors for literary excellence. These captivating stories range from an international endeavour in the name of love to an apocalyptic future crumbled by climate change, to poetic excellence showcasing the minimalist sequence of illness and life, and the internal exploration of the human body. Find out more about these authors and their winning titles here:

• Trillium Book Award (English) | WINNER
  The Last Exiles, Ann Shin (Park Row / Harlequin Trade Publishing)

• Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English) | WINNER
  Intruder, Bardia Sinaee (House of Anansi Press)

• Prix Trillium (French) | WINNER
  Un conte de l’apocalypse, Robert Marinier (Éditions Prise de parole)

• Prix de Poésie Trillium (French) | WINNER
  Exosquelette, Chloé LaDuchesse (Mémoire d'encrier)

After two years of virtual awards, The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners were announced at an in-person event in Toronto, which also honoured award nominees and recipients from 2020 and 2021 who were unable to experience in-person celebrations.

QUOTES
“Ontario Creates is proud to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Trillium Book Awards this year. The opportunity to showcase Ontario’s incredible breadth of talented writers and publishers is something I look forward to each year.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“We are excited to announce another fabulous list of winners for the 2022 Trillium Book Award! Every year I am amazed by the unique and talented voices of our nominees and the great works we have the privilege to support and read. Congratulations to this year’s award-winning authors and thank you to our Ontario publishers for providing a stage for these incredible stories.”
~ Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• There were 16 Finalists for the 2022 Trillium Book Awards' four prizes. Ontario Creates thanks the juries of this year's awards and congratulates the publishers of these winning titles. (Backgrounder available).
• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.The Prix de poésie Trillium was awarded in 2022; it is awarded in alternating years with Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium which was introduced in the 20th Trillium year. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.
• Previous winners include international acclaimed authors and rising stars such as Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.7 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of the total national operating revenue at $1.1 billion.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Jaclyn Cossarini
Argyle PR
647-406-5548
jcossarini@argylepr.com

Linsey Flannery, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
Lflannery@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6619

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates produces the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The Award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction titles for the yearly shortlist, and the winners. The Award is considered the province’s foremost honour for literature.

ABOUT TRILLIUM BOOK AWARDS

The Trillium Book Award recognizes excellence, supports marketing and fosters increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium is Ontario’s prestigious literary award for English and French-language Ontario authors.

WHO CAN APPLY TO TRILLIUM BOOK AWARDS?

The Trillium Award is open to books in any genre: fiction, non-fiction, drama, children’s books and poetry. Anthologies and translations are not eligible. A jury of writers and figures from the literary community judges all submissions and selects the winning titles.

All shortlisted nominees receive a $500 honourarium.

WHAT IS THE TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY AND PRIX DE POÉSIE TRILLIUM?

Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.

In 2022, the Prix de poésie Trillium will be awarded.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE SHORTLIST AUTHORS?

All shortlist nominees receive a $500 honourarium.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE SHORTLISTED NOMINEES’S PUBLISHERS?

Publishers for all the shortlisted titles receive promotional grants for purposes of promoting their books: $2,300 for the Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium and $2,000 for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry / Prix de poésie Trillium and le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium en langue française.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNING AUTHORS?

Winning authors for The Trillium Book Award and Prix Trillium each receive a $20,000 award. The Trillium Book Award for Poetry and Prix de poésie Trillium was introduced during the 16th Trillium year to recognize new emerging poets, and each winner receives $10,000.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE WINNING TITLE’S PUBLISHERS?

Publishers of the winning titles receive additional grant funds in the amount of $2,500 for the main prizes and $2,000 for the poetry and children’s literature prizes

HOW ARE THE WINNERS CHOSEN?

Three jury members per language judge the submissions and select the shortlists and winning titles. This independent jury is composed of writers and other members of the literary community.

WHO ARE THE PAST WINNERS?

The quality of Ontario authors and writing speaks for itself with the international acclaim achieved by past Trillium winners including Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Timothy Findley and Anne Michaels. You can find a list of all past winners, here.

ABOUT ONTARIO CREATES

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists:

Alexa Bloom
Argyle PR
416-886-1700
abloom@argylepr.com

Linsey Flannery, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
Lflannery@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6619

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates Announces 16 Trillium Book Award Finalists

TORONTO | May 10, 2022 | Ontario Creates is proud to present the finalists for the 2022 Trillium Book Award, the province’s most prestigious literary prize for English and French-language Ontario authors.

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of recognizing excellence and fostering diversity of Ontario’s writers and writing. Sixteen titles are on Trillium’s Book Award shortlist – across all genres, in English and French. The depth of creativity and excellence span from international love stories to gripping poetry, capturing the minds of booklovers across Canada and around the globe.

Trillium Book Award

• Brian Francis, Missed Connections: A Memoir in Letters Never Sent, McClelland & Stewart / Penguin Random House
• Catherine Graham, Æther: An Out-of-Body Lyric, Buckrider Books / Wolsak & Wynn Publishers
• Sydney Hegele, The Pump, Invisible Publishing
• Pamela Korgemagi, The Hunter and the Old Woman, House of Anansi Press
• Ann Shin, The Last Exiles, Park Row / Harlequin Trade Publishing

Trillium Book Award for Poetry

• Roxanna Bennett, The Untranslatable I, Gordon Hill Press
• Liz Howard, Letters in a Bruised Cosmos,McClelland & Stewart/Penguin Random House Canada
• Bardia Sinaee, Intruder, House of Anansi Press

Prix Trillium

• Soufiane Chakkouche, Zahra, Éditions David
• Marie-Hélène Larochelle, Je suis le courant la vase, Leméac Éditeur
• Robert Marinier, Un conte de l’apocalypse, Éditions Prise de parole
• Marie-Thé Morin, Errances, Éditions Prise de parole
• Michèle Vinet, Le malaimant, Éditions L'Interligne

Prix de Poésie Trillium

• Sylvie Bérard, À croire que j’aime les failles, Éditions Prise de parole
• Sonia-Sophie Courdeau, Ce qui reste sans contour, Éditions Prise de parole
• Chloé LaDuchesse, Exosquelette, Mémoire d'encrier

Find out more about Ontario’s emerging talent and their nominated work here.

After two-years of virtual awards, The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced in-person, and honour past award nominees and recipients who were unable to experience in-person celebrations. We encourage you to tune in via Facebook Live on June 21, 2022, to help celebrate our winners.

QUOTES

“The Trillium Book Award catapults Ontario’s talented writers onto the national stage and celebrates the unique and diverse voices of great Ontario authors. The work of Ontario authors contribute to our cultural diversity and their stories are a reflection of our rich heritage. The publishing industry, which helps amplify Ontario’s literary talent, has contributed millions of dollars to our economy, supporting the economic recovery of our province. I am thrilled to support the 35^th anniversary of the Trillium Book Awards and look forward to another 35 years.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“The creativity and excellence of this year’s Trillium Book Award nominees is evidence of the talent we proudly celebrate across Ontario and abroad. I continue to be impressed by the new voices and literary stories we are introduced to each year. The publishing industry, which sets the stage for our authors, supports over 6,500 jobs each year. I am proud to see the creative industries continue to grow and contribute to Ontario’s economic recovery. Now is a perfect time to discover a new Ontario author and to support a local business by stocking up on these nominees for your summer reading list.”
~ Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry.
• Le Prix du livre d’enfant Trillium (en langue française) was introduced in the 20^th Trillium year, and is awarded in alternating years with le Prix de poésie Trillium. In 2022, the Prix de poésie Trillium will be awarded. Titles published over a two-year period are eligible, encouraging a greater number of submissions for these specific genre awards in the French language. Both awards provide a $10,000 prize.
• Previous winners include international acclaimed authors and rising stars such as Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.7 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of total national operating revenue at $1.1 billion.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Alexa Bloom
Argyle PR
416-886-1700
abloom@argylepr.com

Linsey Flannery, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
Lflannery@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6619

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario’s Film and Television Production Soars with Record-Breaking Year

Nearly 400 productions help boost economy and create jobs for the province

TORONTO, ON, March 24, 2022 – Record-breaking film and television production statistics were announced today by Ontario Creates, an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to growing Ontario’s creative industries. Ontario reported its highest production levels to date with 394 productions bringing in $2.88 billion in production spending for the economy. In addition to dollar value, these figures represent over 48,000 full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs, which is an increase of 38 per cent or 18,468 jobs from 2020.

“The government’s commitment to growing Ontario’s film and television industry means big business for Ontario,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. “Ontario offers a safe, business-friendly environment where productions can thrive, good jobs can grow, and great content gets made – there is no better place to create content than right here in Ontario.”

“We are thrilled to see Ontario’s film and television industry leading the province’s economic recovery,” said Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO at Ontario Creates. “These figures are a testament to our robust health and safety protocols, impressive suite of financial incentives, ongoing studio space expansion, diverse talent pool, and an unmatched range of film-friendly locations.”

Ontario offers competitive tax credits and programs to support film and television production, which play an important role in increasing economic activity and job creation in the province. In addition, Ontario Creates works closely with a network of 80 municipal film offices across the province to identify and promote local filming locations, production services, and hospitality services that attract and retain both foreign and domestic film production, ensuring the economic and employment benefits of Ontario’s vibrant film and television industry are felt all across the province.

Ontario Creates tracks Ontario production statistics by calendar year. The numbers reflected are conservative, representing only the money spent in Ontario on 2021 domestic and foreign film and television productions.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario’s film and TV industry contributed a record-breaking $2.88 billion to Ontario’s economy in 2021, creating 48,135 high-value full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs for Ontarians.
• A portion of the 2021 increase can be attributed to COVID-19 recovery following the brief industry shut down in 2020. The rest of the increase represents new growth in production and is a testament to Ontario’s robust health and safety protocols, impressive suite of financial incentives, ongoing studio space expansion, diverse talent pool, and an unmatched range of film-friendly locations.
• Domestic film and television production held strong in 2021, contributing $965 million after a lull in 2020.
• Domestic television series production was particularly robust in 2021, with 115 productions contributing over $707 million in expenditures.
• Foreign production remained strong in 2021, led by a strong television industry. Total expenditures in 2021 reached over $1.9 billion.
• Live action production increased in 2021 accounting for 361 of the total 394 productions.

About Ontario Creates

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. For more information visit ontariocreates.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Pountney, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
437-227-7350
JPountney@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Backgrounder Available
Infograph Available

ONTARIO CREATES ANNOUNCES THE 2021 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS
Four Ontario Authors Honoured with Province’s Top Literary Award

TORONTO | June 15, 2021 | Ontario Creates is pleased to announce the winners of 2021 Trillium Book Award honouring four Ontario authors for literary excellence. These books will take you on a variety of journeys ranging from the hopes and joys of immigrants struggling to make a living, to a dressmaker working for a prima donna actress, to a lyrical ride where poetry acts as medicine for grief and loss, and an epic children’s adventure in space. Find out more about these authors and their winning titles here:

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (English)
  Souvankham Thammavongsa, How to Pronounce Knife | McClelland & Stewart

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (French)
  Danièle Vallée, Sept nuits dans la vie de Chérie | Éditions David

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English)
  Jody Chan, sick | Black Lawrence Press

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature (French)
  Éric Mathieu, Capitaine Boudu et les enfants de la Cédille | Éditions L’Interligne

Join us on Ontario Creates’ Facebook channel on June 17 for In Conversation with the French-language winners and on June 18 for In Conversation with the English-language winners.

QUOTES
“The 2021 Trillium Book Award winners reflect the diverse talent of Ontario’s authors, each of whom brings a unique lens to their storytelling – creating masterpieces that resonate both at home and around the world. On behalf of the province and the people of Ontario, I congratulate these award-winning authors, and give thanks to their publishers for ensuring that these great works will continue to garner the global recognition and audience that they deserve.”
~ Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries

“Each year, Ontario Creates has the honour to celebrate four authors who join Ontario’s esteemed list of past winners of the Trillium Book Awards, adding to this rich legacy. Ontario is a global force on the literary stage thanks to Ontario’s book publishing sector that contributes over a billion dollars to our economy and continues to nurture and amplify the province’s best storytellers.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“Congratulations to all of our winning Trillium authors and publishers! Join us on Facebook Live for two online events with the winning authors in French and English. We also encourage you to take a literary journey this summer by reading these award-winning titles.”
~ Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• There were 16 Finalists for the 2021 Trillium Book Awards’ four prizes. Ontario Creates thanks the juries of this year’s awards and congratulates the publishers of these winning titles. (Backgrounder available).
• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Three titles have been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French language, which is awarded in alternating years with the Trillium Book Awards for Poetry in French language. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the winning titles.
• Previous winners include international acclaimed authors and rising stars such as Téa Mutonji, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.7 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of total national operating revenue at $1.1 billion.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Info:
Ana Taruc
416-788-7969
taruc@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

2021 TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD
JURIES AND WINNING PUBLISHERS

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD/PRIX TRILLIUM

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction winning titles.

Among this year’s sixteen Trillium Book Award finalist titles in French and English, there are a variety of genres including short stories, novels fiction and non-fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Several of these Ontario authors are emerging voices, but many have been published to national and international acclaim. Their books delve into the themes of family, friendship, love, self-discovery, and perseverance – all very timely given the events of the past year. We thank the members of the juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors.

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD JURIES

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• maxine bailey is an executive leader in Toronto's dynamic arts community serving on a series of Boards and committees. She is the founder of the Toronto International Film Festival's five-year campaign focused on gender parity, Share Her Journey, garnering international recognition for creating a more equitable film industry. Naturally curious, maxine is a cultural curator, moderator, host, juror, voracious reader, and general disruptor. Her current mantra is: Culture changes lives, and I want to be part of that change.

• Steven W. Beattie spent more than a dozen years as review editor at Quill & Quire, the magazine covering the Canadian publishing industry. His reviews and criticism have appeared in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the National Post, The Walrus, Canadian Notes and Queries, and elsewhere.
• Cherie Dimaline is a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community in Ontario who has published five books. Her 2017 book, The Marrow Thieves, won the Governor General’s Award and the prestigious Kirkus Prize for Young Readers, and was the fan favourite for CBC’s 2018 Canada Reads. It was named a Book of the Year on numerous lists including the National Public Radio, the School Library Journal, the New York Public Library, the Globe and Mail, Quill & Quire and the CBC, has been translated into several languages, and continues to be a national bestseller two years later. Her most recent novel for adults, Empire of Wild (Penguin Random House Canada) became an instant Canadian bestseller and was named Indigo's #1 Best Book of 2019. It was published in the US through William Morrow in July 2020. Cherie recently moved from Vancouver, BC, to Midland, ON, where she is working on a new YA book, the next adult novel and the hotly anticipated sequel to The Marrow Thieves.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Michael Redhill is a poet, playwright, and novelist. His most recent publication is Twitch Force, a collection of poetry from House of Anansi Press. His last novel, Bellevue Square, was published in 2017 and won the Scotiabank Giller Prize. He lives in Toronto.

• Liz Howard’s debut Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent won the 2016 Griffin Poetry Prize. Her second collection, Letters in a Bruised Cosmos, will be out with McClelland & Stewart in June 2021. She is of mixed settler and Anishinaabe heritage. Born and raised on Treaty 9 territory in northern Ontario, she currently lives in Toronto.

• Sheniz Janmohamed is a firm believer in fostering community through collaboration and creativity. A poet, artist educator, spoken word artist and nature artist, Sheniz holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. She is the author of two collections of poetry, Bleeding Light (Mawenzi House, 2010) and Firesmoke (Mawenzi House, 2014). Her writing has appeared in Arc Poetry Magazine, Descant and CV2, and she is a regular reviewer for Quill & Quire. Sheniz’s third collection of poetry, Reminders on the Path (2021), is forthcoming with Mawenzi House.

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD AND TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

• The author of four poetry collections (Tatouages et testaments, Poils lisses, Miroir sans teint et Conjugaison des leurres) and a contributor to two other collections, Tina Charlebois takes on both the challenges of writing and daily life. After a collection written with her father, she contributed to the anthology Tenir tête – poèmes de la résistance. Winner of a Prix littéraire Le Droit in 2007 and 2015 and the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2007, she decided to explore the autofiction genre for her Master’s degree in literary creation at the University of Ottawa, which she received in December of 2019. Her collections have been the subject of scientific articles and musical adaptations, and she has been invited to the prestigious Festival international de poésie in Trois-Rivières twice. When she can, Tina participates in roundtables, lectures, juries and literary videos. She teaches French at a high school in Cornwall.

• Blaise Ndala is the author of three novels: J’irai danser sur la tombe de Senghor (L’Interligne, 2014, and Vents d’ailleurs, 2019), Sans capote ni Kalachnikov (Mémoire d’encrier, 2017) and Dans le ventre du Congo (Seuil and Mémoire d’encrier, 2021). He is also a lawyer and literary columnist who lives in Ottawa.

• Paul Ruban is an author, screenwriter and literary translator. His debut collection of short stories, Crevaison en corbillard (Flammarion Québec), was awarded the 2020 Trillium Book Award.

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

• For more than 100 years, McClelland & Stewart has helped to shape and champion Canada’s cultural conversation. They continue to assert their independent spirit by taking bold risks that push the boundaries of literary excellence, challenging the status quo, and reflecting the rich and diverse range of voices in our country and from around the world. (McClelland & Stewart for How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa).
• Black Lawrence Press is an independent publisher of contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. They also publish the occasional translation from German. Founded in 2004 by Colleen Ryor, Black Lawrence became an imprint of Dzanc Books in 2008. In January 2014, they spread their wings and became an independent company in the state of New York. (Black Lawrence Press for sick by Jody Chan).
• Les Éditions David is a publishing house based in Ottawa that strives to contribute to diversity in French-Canadian literature, by publishing authors from Ontario and Francophone communities throughout Canada. (Éditions David for Sept nuits dans la vie de Chérie by Danièle Vallée).
• With an eye out for authentic voices, L’Interligne focuses on multicultural French-Canadian works that stand out for their exploration of contemporary issues and their original style, forging different paths that bring together the authors and their audiences. (Éditions L’Interligne for Capitaine Boudu et les enfants de la Cédille by Éric Mathieu).

ABOUT US
Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Info for Trillium Book Award Winners:
Ana Taruc
416-788-7969
taruc@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Ontario Creates Announces 16 Trillium Book Award Finalists

TORONTO | May 11, 2021 | Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario, is proud to present the finalists for the 2021 Trillium Book Award, the province’s most prestigious literary prize.

Sixteen titles from Ontario’s top literary talent are on this year’s Trillium Book Award shortlists – in French and English, and spanning all genres. The scope of these books ranges from the intimate to the global: whether their settings are close to home or far away, they explore places and stories that are at once familiar and surprising.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Craig Davidson, Cascade, Knopf Canada,
• Farzana Doctor, Seven, Dundurn Press
  
• Emma Donoghue, The Pull of the Stars, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
• A.F. Moritz, As Far As You Know, House of Anansi Press
• Souvankham Thammavongsa, How to Pronounce Knife, McClelland & Stewart

French-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Daniel Castillo Durante, Tango, Éditions L'Interligne
• Nicole V. Champeau, Niagara... la voie qui y mène, Éditions David
• Charles-Étienne Ferland, Métamorphoses, Éditions L'Interligne
• Melchior Mbonimpa, Au sommet du Nanzerwé il s'est assis et il a pleuré, Éditions Prise de parole
• Danièle Vallée, Sept nuits dans la vie de Chérie, Éditions David

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English:

• Irfan Ali, Accretion, Brick Books
• Jody Chan, sick, Black Lawrence Press
• Canisia Lubrin, The Dyzgraphxst, McClelland & Stewart

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French:

• Marise Gasque, La Neva pour se retrouver, Éditions L'Interligne
• Micheline Marchand, Perdue au bord de la baie d'Hudson, Éditions David
• Éric Mathieu, Capitaine Boudu et les enfants de la Cédille, Éditions L'Interligne

Find out more about these established and emerging Ontario authors and their nominated works here.

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced during a livestream video event on June 15, 2021. We invite you to visit our website for more information, and to join us in this virtual celebration of Ontario’s literary excellence.

QUOTES

“The insight, creativity and dedication of our talented authors and publishers ensure that our diverse and unique stories are celebrated at home and around the world,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “On behalf of the province and the people of Ontario, I applaud and congratulate all the Trillium Book Award finalists for their contributions, and achieving this recognition for their outstanding work.”
~ Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries

“The Trillium Book Award acts as a springboard – elevating the best new voices and literary talent in our province. As well as celebrating these great authors, we applaud Ontario’s vibrant and innovative publishing industry that continues to nurture this talent while contributing $750 million to Ontario’s economy and employing over 7,750 people. Join us on June 15 for the livestream video announcement of the winners.”
~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“Ontario Creates is proud to support Ontario’s publishing industry all year long through our programs and services. We are delighted to honour Ontario writers whose works reflect the diversity of our province in English and French across all genres. I join all Ontarians in congratulating our 2021 finalists, and encourage you to show your support to our local authors and publishers by putting these great books on your reading list.”
~ Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Three titles have been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French language, which is awarded in alternating years with the Trillium Book Awards for Poetry in French language. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the titles.
• Previous winners include international acclaimed authors and rising stars such as Souvankham Thammavongsa, Dionne Brand, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Thomas King, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle, Diya Lim, Lisa L’Heureux and François Paré to name a few.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.7 billion industry, with Ontario contributing more than two-thirds of total national operating revenue at $1.1 billion.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

CELEBRATING FOUR RISING LITERARY TALENTS

TORONTO | June 17, 2020 | Ontario Creates is pleased to announce that Shut Up You're Pretty by Téa Mutonji has won the 2020 Trillium Book Award, and Crevaison en corbillard by Paul Ruban has won the Prix Trillium. The author of each winning book is awarded $20,000. Unmeaningable by Roxanna Bennett has won the Trillium Book Award for Poetry and Premier quart by Véronique Sylvain has won the Prix de poésie Trillium, each receiving $10,000.

The Trillium Book Award is Ontario’s top literary prize, and is open to titles in any genre. The Trillium Book Award for Poetry honours a first, second, or third collection by an Ontario poet.

This year’s winners in both English and French showcase the talent of emerging writers who are soon to be household names across the country. These short story and poetry collections span the province – from the vibrant city of Scarborough to the far reaches of Northern Ontario.

The 2020 Trillium Book Award winners and their publishers were announced during a virtual awards event and on Ontario Creates social media channels at 8 PM EDT on June 17, 2020, as follows:

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (English)
  Téa Mutonji,Shut Up You're Pretty, VS. Books/Arsenal Pulp Press

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (French)
  Paul Ruban, Crevaison en corbillard, Flammarion Québec

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English)
  Roxanna Bennett,Unmeaningable, Gordon Hill Press

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (French)
  Véronique Sylvain,Premier quart , Prise de parole

Join us for Facebook LIVE conversations with English Trillium Book Award winners from 12:00 – 12:30 PM EDT on June 22, with Quill & Quire Reviews Editor Steven W. Beattie and at the same time on June 23 for the French winners’ conversation with Zefred.

QUOTES

“The Trillium Book Awards celebrate Ontario’s best writers and their publishers who make enormous contributions to our literary wealth and to our province’s economy. On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I applaud and congratulate all the Trillium Book Award winners for these well-deserved accolades. During this unprecedented time, it is even more important that we ensure Ontario’s great stories are enjoyed at home and around the world.”

• Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries

“This year the Trillium Book Award recognizes wonderful new voices in fiction and poetry in our province. Together these authors’ works contribute a shared collective experience through their unique stories. These emerging literary talents will join an impressive list of great Ontario writers and their publishers who continue to build upon Ontario’s internationally recognized literary legacy.”

• Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“The Trillium Book award celebrates excellence in Ontario writing and this year’s Trillium winners cover a diversity of topics, and are written by authors that self-identify in many diverse ways. Kick-off your summer reading with some of these brilliant Ontario reads!”

• Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is home to two-thirds of Canada’s Book Publishing Industry
• The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• The award winners for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English and in the French-language category each receive $10,000 and their publishers $2,000 for promotion of the titles.
• The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium Backgrounder includes information on this year’s jury members and the winning publishers.
• The 14 finalists on the 2020 Trillium Book Awards shortlist showcase a variety of talent across a wide range of literary genres.
• Previous winners have included world-renowned writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Michael Ondaatje, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates is proud to produce the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

June 17, 2020

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD/PRIX TRILLIUM

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction winning titles, as well as for the yearly shortlist. The award is considered the province’s foremost honour for literature.

Ontario’s literature is bursting with innovation and variety. The Trillium Book Award celebrates the excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. Among this year’s Trillium finalists, we have novels, short stories, poetry, drama, a graphic novel, collaborative non-fiction, and experimental forms of writing. These are books written in a diversity of forms, covering a diversity of topics, by authors that self-identify in many diverse ways. One thing they all have in common is that they are stellar examples of the literary talent in Ontario. These emerging and established writers are telling new and unique stories in daring and original ways.

We thank the members of the English and French language juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• Steven W. Beattie is a writer and editor in Toronto. He is Reviews Editor at Quill & Quire, the magazine of the Canadian publishing industry. His writing and criticism have appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, the Walrus, Canadian Notes and Queries, the Hamilton Review of Books, the Humber Literary Review, and elsewhere. He maintains the literary website That Shakespearean Rag.

• Tamara Faith Berger writes fiction, non-fiction and screenplays. She is the author of Lie With Me, The Way of the Whore (republished together by Coach House Books as Little Cat), Maidenhead (winner of The Believer Book Award) and Kuntalini. Her fifth book, Queen Solomon, was published by Coach House Books in 2018 and it was nominated for a Trillium Book Award. Her work has been published in Apology, Canadian Art,Taddle Creek and Canadian Notes and Queries. She has a BFA in Studio Art from Concordia University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. She lives and works in Toronto.

• Damian Rogers is a poet and writer. Her second poetry collection, Dear Leader, was nominated for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry. In September, Knopf Canada will publish her memoir, An Alphabet for Joanna: A Portrait of My Mother in 26 Fragments. Originally from Detroit, Rogers lives in Toronto where she teaches creative writing at Ryerson University.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Puneet Dutt’s debut collection of poetry, The Better Monsters (Mansfield Press), was a Finalist for the 2018 Trillium Book Award for Poetry, was Shortlisted for the 2018 Raymond Souster Award, and was named one of “Ontario’s Best Books” by NOW Magazine. Her chapbook, PTSD south beach (Grey Borders Books), was a Finalist for the Breitling Chapbook Prize. She holds a MA in English from Ryerson University, is the Editor-in-Chief of The Puritan Magazine, an editorial board director at Canthius, and is a creative writing workshop facilitator with the Toronto Writers Collective. Dutt is an immigrant/settler and currently lives in Markham with her husband and son.

• Emma Healey's latest collection of poetry is Stereoblind (House of Anansi, 2018). She is the former poetry critic at the Globe and Mail, and her essays and criticism have been published in places like the Toronto Star, the National Post, The LA Review of Books, the FADER, Hazlitt, the Walrus, Toronto Life, Canadian Art, C Magazine and more.

• David O’Meara is the author of four collections of poetry, most recently A Pretty Sight (Coach House Books).

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD AND TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Lisa L’Heureux: Playwright and director, Lisa L’Heureux founded and directs Théâtre Rouge Écarlate, for which she specifically created Ciseaux,Pour l’hiver (Prix Jacques-Poirier Outaouais 2017) and Et si un soir (Trillium Book Award 2019). Very active in the playwright industry in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, she has participated in writing numerous collectively authored scripts, including Love is in the birds : une soirée francophone sans boule disco (Théâtre du Trillium), Comment frencher un fonctionnaire sans le fatiguer (Les Poids Plumes) and Tapage et autres bruits sourds (Les Poids Plumes and Théâtre français du CNA).

• David Ménard has Masters of Arts Degree in French from the University of Ottawa and is originally from Green Valley, a town in Eastern Ontario. He has published a novel, a narrative, and three poetry collections, including Neuvaines (L’Interligne), for which he received the Trillium Book Award for Poetry and the Prix de l’Association des écrivains francophones d’Amérique. This collection has also been adapted for theatre by Théâtre du Trillium.

• Paul Savoie, originally from Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, has authored about forty books in French and English across several literary genres. He has received numerous literary awards, including the Trillium Book Award on two occasions, for his collection, CRAC (2006) and Bleu bémol (2012). Racines d’eau, an anthology of his poetry, has appeared in Éditions du Noroît’s prestigious Collection Ovale. He lives in Toronto.

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

• Arsenal Pulp Press: Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 400 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction and nonfiction; books on social issues; gender studies; LGBTQ and diverse literature; graphic novels and non-fiction; cookbooks; alternative crafts; visual arts; and books in translation. They are interested in literature that engages and challenges readers, and which asks probing questions about the world around us. (Publisher for Shut Up You’re Pretty by Téa Mutonji).

• Gordon Hill Press: Gordon Hill Press is a feisty upstart publisher of poetry, literary criticism (especially concerning poetry), and fiction that is stylistically innovative. They strive to include a wide diversity of writers and writing, particularly writers living with disability. (Publisher for Unmeaningable by Roxanna Bennett).
• Flammarion Québec: The book trade has been at the heart of Flammarion’s work since its creation in 1876. The first Québécois works appeared in 1998 under the Flammarion Québec banner. This publishing house was created to put more focus on the local readership. Its publishing work is steeped in the Québec environment and it seeks out authors and subjects that are of interest to Québec society, completely independent from the Flammarion publishers based in Paris. Its main areas of focus include literature, coffee-table books, practical works, reading to escape and knowledge. (Publisher for Crevaison en corbillard by Paul Ruban).

• Prise de parole, founded in Sudbury in the 1970s, has a mandate to support works of literary creation in minority communities and the reflection on the environment, human and social sciences across Canada, publishing novels, poetry, theatre, studies and essays in the Humanities. (Publisher for Premier quart by Véronique Sylvain).

Info for Trillium Book Award Winners

Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

2020 Trillium Book Award Finalists

TORONTO | May 12, 2020 | Fourteen diverse books have been shortlisted for Ontario’s prestigious literary prize, the 2020 Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium, presented by Ontario Creates, an agency of the government of Ontario.

There are two English and two French prizes: the Trillium Book Award in English and the Prix Trillium in French, as well as the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in both English and French. Written by established and emerging authors, the shortlisted titles span a wide variety of genres, showcasing the diversity of voices that make up Ontario’s vast literary landscape.

The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium winners will be announced during an online event on June 17, 2020. In the ramp-up to the big awards night, Ontario Creates will be sharing, celebrating and showcasing these 14 talented finalists on our website and social channels. For detailed information on all the 2020 Trillium Book Award finalists click here.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Christina Baillie and Martha Baillie,Sister Language, Pedlar Press
• Téa Mutonji,Shut Up You're Pretty, VS. Books/Arsenal Pulp Press
• Sara Peters,I Become a Delight to My Enemies, Strange Light
• Zalika Reid-Benta,Frying Plantain, House of Anansi Press
• Seth, Clyde Fans: A Picture Novel, Drawn & Quarterly

French-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Jean Boisjoli,Moi, Sam. Elle, Janis, Éditions David
• Claude Guilmain, AmericanDream.ca, Les Éditions L'Interligne
• Aristote Kavungu,Mon père, Boudarel et moi, Les Éditions L'Interligne
• Paul Ruban,Crevaison en corbillard, Flammarion Québec

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language:

• Roxanna Bennett,Unmeaningable, Gordon Hill Press
• Doyali Islam,heft, McClelland & Stewart
• Matthew Walsh,These are not the potatoes of my youth, Goose Lane Editions

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French language:

• Daniel Groleau Landry,Fragments de ciels, Les Éditions L'Interligne
• Véronique Sylvain,Premier quart, Prise de parole

QUOTES

“Ontario Creates nurtures the very best literary talent in our Province through Ontario’s formidable publishers who contribute $523M to Ontario’s economy and employ over 6,000 people. We encourage all Ontarians to read these terrific books, and to join us online for the awards announcement on June 17.”

~ Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“Each year, the Trillium Book Awards gives Ontario Creates the opportunity to shine a light on brilliant literary achievements by Ontario authors, whose stories and poems in English and French enrich our lives. That has never been more important than it is today. Check out the best of Ontario’s literary landscape with this year’s shortlisted titles, and discover more about these books and talented writers over the weeks ahead on Ontario Creates social channels.”

~ Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award / Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Two titles have been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French language, which is awarded in alternating years with the Trillium Book Awards for Children’s Literature in French language. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the titles.
• Previous winners have included world-renowned writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Michael Ondaatje, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.64 billion industry, with two-thirds of revenues generated in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates produces the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

Info:
Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough,
Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

Photos | Headshots and Bookcovers available upon request

More than 340 productions help boost economy and create jobs for the province

February 28, 2020

TORONTO — Ontario’s film and television industry had a record-breaking year in 2019, with 343 productions bringing in $2.16 billion in production spending for the economy and supporting 44,540 full-time equivalent direct and spin-off jobs. This represents an increase in production by almost 15 per cent from 2018 and more than 7,500 new jobs for Ontarians.

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries joined award-winning actress Wendy Crewson, award-winning director Sergio Navarretta, as well as industry leaders Jim Mirkopoulos (Cinespace Toronto), Justin Cutler (Ontario Creates), Theresa Tova (ACTRA), Peggy Kyriakidou and Jayson Mosek (UNIFOR), Angela Mastronardi and Monty Montgomerie (IATSE), and Michael Cerenzie and Jonathan Ahee (Stratagem Group) earlier this week to discuss the results.

“Ontario is open for business, open for jobs, and open to the film and television industry,” said Minister MacLeod. “These results show that we’re building a business-friendly climate where production companies and production service companies can grow.”

“In 2020, we are continuing to work with Ontario Creates and the industry to ensure producers at home and around the globe know that there’s no better place to create content than right here in Ontario,” added MacLeod.

Ontario is a leader in domestic film and television production, and is home to a booming foreign production sector. The economic and employment benefits of Ontario’s vibrant film and television industry are felt across the province, with popular and critically acclaimed productions like Cardinal and Letterkenny produced in Northern Ontario; Hilda in Ottawa; and Workin’ Moms, Kim’s Convenience and Star Trek: Discovery in the Greater Toronto Area. The Umbrella Academy, Schitt’s Creek and many others are filmed across Central and Southwestern Ontario.

“The government’s commitment to growing Ontario’s film and television industry means big business for Ontario and a globally competitive production scene,” says Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates. “Our suite of financial incentives, over 10,000 locations, world-class crews, diverse talent, award-winning post-production facilities, and expanding studio space are a huge draw for producers from Canada, the U.S. and around the world.”

QUICK FACTS

• There was a healthy balance between domestic and foreign production in 2019, with $1.1 billion in foreign production and $1 billion in domestic production.
• Jobs created by film and TV production in the province include: technicians (such as lighting, make-up, carpenters, set designers, set dressers and wardrobe experts), production managers and coordinators, location managers, craft services, post-production experts, accountants, performers and drivers.
• Ontario offers tax credits to support film and television production. These incentives play an important role in increasing economic activity and job creation in Ontario while also enhancing the province’s cultural profile.
• In February 2020, the government announced a Ministers’ Film and Television Advisory Panel which will provide evidence and advice to the government on industry trends, challenges and opportunities to grow high‐value film and television production in Ontario and maximize benefits for the province.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Ontario Creates

Media Contacts

Brooke Timpson
Minister’s Office
Brooke.Timpson@ontario.ca

Denelle Balfour
Communications Branch
Denelle.Balfour@ontario.ca

Panel members to advise on opportunities to grow province’s film and television industries

February 13, 2020

TORONTO – The Ontario government is establishing a new Ministers’ Film and Television Advisory Panel to provide expert advice on ways to grow the film and television industries in Ontario.

“Ontario is open for business, open for jobs, and open for film and television productions,” said Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. “These industries contribute nearly $2 billion and more than 37,000 jobs in Ontario. With the help of this panel of experts I’m confident we can grow Ontario’s spectacular double bottom line by attracting more high-value productions that drive our economy, create jobs and strengthen our unique cultural identity.”

First announced in the 2019 Ontario Budget, the panel will report jointly to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, and the Minister of Finance. Jim Mirkopoulos, Vice President, Cinespace Film Studios, will act as Chair to provide the government evidence and advice on trends, challenges and opportunities facing the film and television production industries. Christina Jennings, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, will serve as Vice Chair.

“Ontario’s film and television industry creates jobs and contributes to local economies in communities across our province,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance. “Our government looks forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations on how to support this sector’s continued competitiveness and deliver maximum value for Ontario.”

Ontario’s film and television industry continues to experience steady growth and make important economic and cultural contributions to the province. In 2018, film and television production supported by the province was up from 2017 by almost 19 per cent, and the number of jobs also increased by 4,300.

“It is a privilege to act as Chair on the Ministers’ Film and Television Advisory Panel,” said Jim Mirkopoulos. “The panel members and I look forward to working with the government. Working together, we can advance this important industry to enhance both its economic impact and profile for everyone’s benefit.”

Quick Facts

• There was a healthy balance between domestic and foreign film and television production in 2018, with just over $1 billion in foreign production spending and almost $850 million in domestic production spending in Ontario.
• Notable foreign feature and series productions made in Ontario in 2018 include: It Chapter Two, Shazam!, Star Trek: Discovery, The Umbrella Academy and The Handmaid’s Tale.
• Many of Ontario’s domestic TV series are selling in the U.S. and globally, including: Workin’ Moms, Kim’s Convenience, Letterkenny and Cardinal.

Background Information

• Members of the Ministers' Film and Television Advisory Panel

Media Contacts
Ontario.ca/MHSTCI-news
Disponible en français

Brooke Timpson
Minister’s Office
Brooke.Timpson@ontario.ca

Denelle Balfour
Communications Branch
Denelle.Balfour@ontario.ca

February 13, 2020

Neishaw Ali

Neishaw Ali is a founding Partner, President and Executive Producer of SPINVFX, an internationally recognized leader in visual effects production, with teams in Toronto, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Neishaw’s creativity and leadership has produced an expansive body of work including over 120 feature films and 26 television series by successfully blending the science of business and creativity. Her television credits include Game of Thrones and The Umbrella Academy, and film credits such as Spotlight, In the Tall Grass and Zombieland 2: Double Tap.

Neishaw is also a founding Partner and President of SPINVR, the virtual and augmented reality studio that develops customized VR/AR experiences, 360 degree videos, games and apps.

Neishaw is the Co-Chair of Computer Animation Studios of Ontario. She has also served on the City of Toronto’s Television and Digital Media Board and Digital Media Infrastructure Working Group and as a board member of The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

Peter Apostolopoulos

Peter Apostolopoulos is a Canadian business man and real estate investor.

Peter is the President of TriBro Studios, a film and television production facilities company in Toronto. He is also a Managing Partner in the family real estate development and investment firm.

As a member of the City of Toronto Film, Television & Digital Media Board, Peter provides advice to the city on ways to strengthen and grow the film, television and commercial production industry to ensure competitiveness and viability of the sector.

David Carter

David is Executive Vice President of Entertainment Partners, a leading services company to the industry offering film & television tax incentive financing and administration, payroll services and industry software solutions. In his role, David leads the Film and TV Tax Incentives Administration and Financing Group in Canada.

David has been involved in over 2,000 productions throughout Canada and has helped producers access over $5 billion of tax incentive funding. Active in many aspects of the Canadian industry, David sits on the FilmOntario Board, is an participant with Computer Animation Studios of Ontario and served eight years on the City of Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board

David is licensed in Canada as a Chartered Professional Accountant (legacy designations: Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant). He is also licensed in the U.S. as a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Corrie Coe

Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming for Bell Media’s English-language channels and platforms.

In her role, Corrie has overseen the development and production of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, including Cardinal, Letterkenny, The Disappearance, Killjoys, Wynonna Earp, Orphan Black, The Amazing Race Canada, Masterchef Canada and Corner Gas Animated.

Corrie currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Film Centre and the Harold Greenberg Fund and on the Board of Governors of the Alliance of Canadian, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Fraternal Benefit Society.

Corrie is a recipient of the Women’s Executive Network Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award, a Women in Film and Television Crystal Award, a Canadian Women in Communications Leadership Excellence Award and was named Production Executive of the Year by Playback magazine.

Marcia Douglas

As Senior Director, Business Affairs at the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), Marcia Douglas has extensive experience in the Canadian media landscape for traditional and digital platforms.

Prior to joining the CMPA, she was the Program Manager for the Bell Fund, where she oversaw day-to-day operations, supporting the development and production of hundreds of linear and interactive projects.

Earlier in her career, she was an assistant director and production manager, and produced several award-winning film projects that screened at festivals worldwide.

Marcia serves on several industry and program advisory committees, including the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, Interactive Ontario, WIFT-T and Centennial College.

Bruce Harvey

Bruce Harvey joined the Ottawa Film Office as Film Commissioner in 2014. A former entertainment lawyer, he started his own production company in 1990 and spent the following two decades producing film and TV projects. His film Almost America, a co-production with Italy, won a Genie Award (now the Canadian Screen Awards) in 2001 for Best Production Design.

As the Film Commissioner, Bruce’s main role is to attract screen-based productions to Ottawa to grow the industry’s economic impact.

Prior to becoming a producer, Bruce was a successful entertainment lawyer working with corporate and commercial clients on a variety of files, from intellectual property and labour law to contracts and taxation.

Christina Jennings

Christina Jennings is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, a content company known for innovative storytelling and building successful brands. Spanning the production of TV, feature film and digital content, Shaftesbury titles are sold in 150 countries worldwide and include acclaimed international hits Murdoch Mysteries, Carmilla, Frankie Drake Mysteries, ReGenesis and Life with Derek.

Christina is a Member of the Order of Canada. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre, Jennings currently serves as Chair of the Centre’s Board of Directors. Christina has also been named to Maclean’s Power List of Canada’s 50 Most Powerful People. Christina’s recent awards and honours include the inaugural Content Innovation Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award, the CFC Award for Creative Excellence, Playback’s Producer of the Decade, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s Academy Achievement Award, the PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship at RBC’s Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards and the Innovative Producer Award at the Banff World Television Festival.

Slawko Klymki

As the CEO of the Canadian Film Centre, Slawko Klymkiw leads Canada’s foremost film, television and digital media institution dedicated to advancing Canadian creative values, talent and content worldwide. Slawko is responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of all the centre’s training, production, promotion and investment initiatives.

As the former architect of the CBC Television schedule, Slawko was responsible for the cultivation and scheduling of new programming. CBC’s successes under Slawko’s stewardship included: Canada: A People’s History, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made in Canada, Opening Night, ZeD, An American in Canada, Trudeau, Random Passage, The Greatest Canadian, DaVinci’s Inquest, CBC Sunday, and Olympics in Atlanta, Nagano and Salt Lake City.

Cynthia Lynch

Cynthia Lynch is the Managing Director and Counsel at FilmOntario, a not-for-profit industry organization that advocates on behalf of the screen-based sector. In this role, she has worked with industry and government partners to maintain investment in Ontario’s film and television industries and grow the sector.

Prior to joining FilmOntario, Cynthia spent over 10 years at the Ontario Media Development Corporation (now Ontario Creates) in a variety of roles, starting as a Tax Credits Business Officer and most recently as the Manager of Research, Strategic Planning and Information Technology. In this role, she oversaw the organization’s research and policy program and managed the agency’s business planning process.

While in law school at the University of Ottawa, Cynthia focused on communications law, intellectual property, privacy and technology and worked with the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.

Jim Mirkopoulos

Jim Mirkopoulos is Vice President of Cinespace Film Studios, the largest private owner, operator and developer of studio space in North America. Now in its 32nd year, Cinespace operates one million square feet of studio and support space on over 42 acres in Toronto and almost two million square feet on over 60 acres in Chicago.

Jim maintains direct links with the physical production heads of the major Hollywood studios as well as Netflix, Amazon, Apple and Hulu, and his facilities service all budget levels of film, television, commercial and digital media projects.

Jim is a Board Member of FilmOntario and also sits on he City of Toronto’s Film, Television and Digital Media Board. He was instrumental in launching York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design’s Motion Media Studio @ Cinespace, an 8,000 square foot training facility on Cinespace’s Kipling Studio Campus, and has recently joined the Advisory Committee for Sheridan College’s new graduate program in Creative Industries Management.

Wendy Noss

Wendy Noss is a government and public affairs executive with more than two decades of experience representing creative industries and intellectual property owners.

Wendy has been with the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada) since 2006, creating strategic alliances to further the health of the film and television industry and foster an environment of respect for the creative industries in Canada.

Prior to joining MPA-Canada, she was a practicing lawyer focusing on intellectual property law and policy and advancing the rights of international rights holders in the digital environment.

She works with film and television stakeholders across the country and has served on many government boards, councils, advisory groups and organizations.

John Weber

John Weber is the President and CEO of Toronto based Take 5 Productions. John began his film and television career in 1995 working on a vast array of feature films and television productions.

Over the past 10 years, John has served as an Executive Producer on hundreds of hours of some of the most popular and acclaimed television dramas. His list of projects includes Vikings, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Tudors, The Borgias, Star Trek: Discovery, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Reign, Condor and Locke & Key.

John has been awarded six Canadian Screen Awards (formerly known as Gemini Awards), an Emmy Award, A Golden Globe Award, a Producer’s Choice Award, and a Television Critics Award.

John is a Certified Professional Accountant with a degree in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is actively involved in the Canadian television industry and is a Board Member and Treasurer of industry association FilmOntario.

Brian O’Leary

Brian O’Leary is Senior Vice President, Tax Counsel for NBC Universal Media. He has served as tax counsel to NBC Universal since 1999. His practice focuses on tax controversies, tax policy and economic development initiatives.

Brian is a frequent lecturer on film finance and tax matters and serves as a board member of the National Multistate Tax Symposium. He regularly assists government authorities in evaluating policy initiatives and appears as a witness before legislative tax and economic development committee hearings.

Carol Ann Pilon

Carol Ann Pilon was appointed Executive Director of the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (AFPC) in November of 2016. The APFC is the national voice for the independent content producers working in French across Canada.

Prior to joining AFPC, Carol Ann held the role of Assistant Director of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française a national organization whose mission is to promote the artistic and cultural expression of Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada.

Front des réalisateurs francophones du Canada, a national association of film makers and directors who work in French, as well as scriptwriter and director positions on a number of documentary and youth productions for the broadcast industry.

Carol-Ann holds a degree in Communications, Media & Culture from the University of Ottawa.

Rama Rau

Rama Rau is active in Ontario’s domestic film and television industry and features strong female characters in her work.

Rama has made several award-winning documentaries, including her film League of Exotic Dancers, about aging burlesque dancers in Las Vegas, which opened to acclaim at Hot Docs Festival in 2016. One of her more recent projects and first dramatic feature Honey Bee won the Best Female-Directed Narrative Feature award at the Whistler Film Festival in 2018.

Rama has been profiled as one of Canada’s top ten female filmmakers and has won numerous director awards. She is a frequent speaker on panels about gender and diversity and is scheduled to speak this March at the prestigious Duke University in North Carolina about workplace gender imbalances.

Media Contacts
Ontario.ca/MHSTCI-news
Disponible en français

Brooke Timpson
Minister’s Office
Brooke.Timpson@ontario.ca

Denelle Balfour
Communications Branch
Denelle.Balfour@ontario.ca

Gen Z also point to diversity gap in creative content, according to new study by Ontario Creates and VICE

January 8, 2020

TORONTO, January 8, 2020 |Gen Z is redefining how cultural content – meaning music, film, television, art, lifestyle, gaming, and literature – is being discovered, consumed and shared, and they’re willing to pay for it, according to a study released by Ontario Creates, a provincial agency that facilitates economic development and investment in the creative industries. The research was conducted by VICE, the world’s largest independent youth media company.

The study, titled “Gen Z: The Culture of Content Consumption”, surveyed those between 14 to 22 years old and found that they are willing to pay for the content they desire, with 90% reporting they pay for cultural content regularly. The survey also finds that Gen Z wants to see much more diversity in the stories and people they see, with one in two saying there is a gap in diversity of gender, sexual identity and ethnic representation in today’s cultural content.

“VICE’s dedicated Insights team is able to offer partners unparalleled access to and expertise on youth and culture globally” said Amy Davies, VP of Strategy & Creative, Canada, VICE. “We leveraged a number of methodologies for this report to surface insights to help guide and inform the Canadian culture sector in their quest to capture Gen Z audiences. It has been a delight to partner with the Ontario Creates team.”

Key findings in the survey include:

• Music is by far the #1 form of cultural content consumed by Gen Z, with online videos, TV and video games rounding out their most frequent activities;
• Seven out of ten respondents said they prefer physical books to e-books;
• One in two favour printed magazines over digital ones;
• 75% of respondents say original content is important to them;
• Music, video streaming and video games (in all forms: console, PC and mobile) are the top paid services for Gen Z, with respondents paying for an average of four cultural content services;
• The younger demographic are huge cord cutters: for Millennials, cable or satellite TV subscriptions are their #2 most popular paid services, while those didn’t even make the top 5 for Gen Z;
• Gen Z is motivated by better quality (61% said so), better experience (56%) and convenience (50% ) to pay for content, versus avoiding ads on free services (41%).
• Gen Z is especially interested in internet culture/memes, humour and gaming.

“This Gen Z consumer research will be extremely valuable to Ontario’s content creators.” said Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO of Ontario Creates. “Gen Z is the most diverse generation in Canadian history and they are changing the rules of engagement with creators. This research will help Ontario companies adapt their business models to connect more effectively with this big new market.”

The survey also finds Gen Z is:

• More interested in being “entertained” by content than “being informed”;
• Want ease of discovery, looking to social media channels like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok to find new content and to form relationships with the creators themselves.

The research was executed through VICE Insights, VICE’s arm dedicated to decoding youth behaviours and trends that are moving and shaping the culture that contextualizes youth lives.

"With new voices and new platforms entering the media landscape by the minute, the competition for young people’s attention has never been greater” said Julie Arbit, Global SVP of Insights, VICE. “Combine that with a young generation that has never been hungrier for content or more savvy about how to access it, and you have a whole new approach to content consumption. Understanding this new mindset is essential for anyone who is trying to reach this young audience.”

ABOUT THE SURVEY

This project began by speaking with content creators across industries who identified the complex challenges and strategies for capturing Gen Z’s attention. Using these learnings, VICE Insights conducted an online survey among 650 VICE audience members in Ontario, Canada-500 people ages 14-22 (Gen Z) with an additional 150 people ages 23-39 (Millennials) for comparison. The margin of error for this study is +/- 3.8%.

ABOUT ONTARIO CREATES

Ontario Creates (formerly OMDC) is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. ontariocreates.ca

ABOUT VICE MEDIA GROUP

VICE Media Group is the world’s largest independent youth media company. Launched in 1994, VICE has offices in 35 cities across the globe with a focus on five key businesses: VICE.com, an award-winning international network of digital content; VICE STUDIOS, a feature film and television production studio; VICELAND, an Emmy-winning international television network; a Peabody award-winning NEWS division with the most Emmy-awarded nightly news broadcast; and VIRTUE, a global, full-service creative agency with 21 offices around the world. VICE's programming has been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Peabodys, Sundance Film Festival, George Polk, Scripps Howard, PEN Center, Cannes Lions, Knight Foundation, American Society of Magazine Editors, LA Press Club, James Beard and Webbys, among others. VICE Media Group’s portfolio includes Refinery29, the leading global media and entertainment company focused on women; PULSE Films, a London-based next-generation production studio with outposts in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Berlin; i-D, a global digital and bimonthly magazine defining fashion and contemporary culture; and Garage, a digital platform and biannual publication converging the worlds of art and design.

For further information:

VICE | Britt Aharoni, Manager, Communications, 647-716-5113, britt.aharoni@vice.com

Ontario Creates | Bob Reid, Veritas Communications, 416-482-2308, reid@veritasinc.com

June 13, 2019

TORONTO – Ontario Creates is pleased to announce the winners of Ontario’s top literary prize to four exceptional Ontario authors. Discover more about these 2019 Trillium Book Award winners here:

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (English)
  Dionne Brand, The Blue Clerk | McClelland & Stewart

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (French)
  Lisa L’Heureux, Et si un soir | Prise de parole

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English)
  Robin Richardson, Sit How You Want, Signal Editions/Véhicule Press

• WINNER |Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature (French)
  Diya Lim, La marchande,la sorcière, la lune et moi | Les Éditions L’Interligne

QUOTES

“Congratulations to the 2019 Trillium Book Award winners! Their literary excellence contributes to a strong publishing industry in our province. We are proud that Ontario has such a depth of talent and such powerful stories with universal themes.”

- Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“Ontario’s diversity is reflected in its literature and also this year’s Trillium Book Award finalists, winners and the juries that chose them. This is key to Ontario’s reputation as an international leader and we are committed to continuing to strengthen our publishing industry, while nurturing Ontario talent.”

- Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“Ontario Creates is thrilled to be able to celebrate fabulous writing and showcase our outstanding authors and publishers through the Trillium Book Awards. Whether you love fiction or poetry or both, we encourage you to add the Trillium finalists and winners to your summer reading lists!”

- Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Three titles have been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French language, which is awarded in alternating years with the Trillium Book Awards for Poetry in French language. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the titles.
• Previous winners have included world-renowned writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Michael Ondaatje, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.
• There were 16 finalists for the 2019 Trillium Book Awards’ four prizes.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.64 billion industry, with two-thirds of revenues generated in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Creates produces the Trillium Book Awards (Backgrounder) each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works.

Ontario Creates (formerly OMDC) is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the book, music, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.

Info on Trillium Book Award Winners:

Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6619

ontariocreates.ca

Disponible en français

June 13, 2019 | This year’s Trillium Award nominees reveal a wealth of stories from meditations on the act of writing, to powerful feminist narratives, to the fantastical, to tales of resilience in the face of struggle. Whether established or emerging literary figures, these Ontario authors are brave and bold. They are keen observers and dreamers in a changing world.

HISTORY

Ontario Creates produces the Trillium Book Awards each year. The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The Award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction titles for the yearly shortlist, and the winners. The Award is considered the province’s foremost honour for literature.

We thank the members of the English and French language juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors:

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD JURIES

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• Cherie Dimaline is an award-winning writer and editor from the Georgian Bay Metis Community in Ontario who has published 4 books of short stories, literary fiction and young adult fiction. Cherie currently lives in Toronto, Ontario where she coordinates the annual Indigenous Writers’ Gathering and is adapting her YA novel, The Marrow Thieves, for television. She is on faculty for the MFA program at the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her newest work Empire of Wild will be released by Random House Canada in September 2019.
• Cynthia Good is the former director of the Creative Book Publishing program at Humber College. She founded the publishing program at Humber after 20 years with Penguin Books, where she was the first editorial director and then president and publisher. Currently, she facilitates book clubs around Toronto, where she lives.
• Pasha Malla is the author of six books, most recently Fugue States, a novel. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

• Puneet Dutt’s debut collection of poetry, The Better Monsters (Mansfield Press, 2017), was a Finalist for the 2018 Trillium Book Award For Poetry (English Language) and was shortlisted for the 2018 Raymond Souster Award and was named one of “Ontario’s Best Books” in 2018 by NOW Magazine. Her poems have appeared in literary journals, such as Canadian Literature, Event and World Literature Today, and in the anthology Imaginarium 4: The Best Canadian Speculative Writing, with an introduction by Margaret Atwood. Her chapbook, PTSD south beach (Grey Borders Books), was a Finalist for the Breitling Chapbook Prize (Phantom Books). She holds a MA in English from Ryerson University, is an editorial board member at Canthius, and is a creative writing workshop facilitator with the Toronto Writers Collective. Dutt lives in Markham with her husband and son.
• Adam Sol is an award-winning poet, writer and teacher. He is the author of four collections of poetry, including Crowd of Sounds, which won Ontario’s Trillium Award; and Complicity, which was shortlisted for the Raymond Souster Award. His most recent book is How a Poem Moves: A Field Guide for Readers of Poetry. He teaches at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College and lives in Toronto with his wife, Rabbi Yael Splansky, and their three sons.
• Meaghan Strimas is the author of three poetry collections, Junkman’s Daughter, A Good Time Had by All, and Yes or Nope which won the Trillium Book Award for Poetry (2017). The editor of The Selected Gwendolyn MacEwen and the Another Dysfunctional Cancer Poem anthology (co-edited with Priscila Uppal), she grew up in Owen Sound, Ontario, and lives in Toronto, where she is a professor and program coordinator at Humber College.

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD AND TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

• Eric Charlebois is a published poet in both official languages, a double winner of the Trillium Poetry Award and a literary translator. He is the founding president of Idiome conception linguistique, an SME that offers original text creation, translation, editing, proofreading and animation. He is also very involved in entrepreneurial, economic and artistic development, notably as a coach, trainer, moderator and lecturer.

He has worked on several transdisciplinary literary and artistic creation projects across Canada and in Europe, with other performing poets, visual artists and musicians. He is also a lyricist. He has facilitated workshops and introductory courses at universities, retirement homes and penitentiaries.

• Michèle Matteau was born and studied in Quebec. She has lived in France, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and, since 1985, in Ottawa. She has worked in research for television programs, wrote scripts and commentaries for documentaries and developed materials for cultural and educational institutions. From 2009 to 2013, she directed the Vertiges collection of Éditions L'Interligne. She gives writing workshops and has led the Atelier littéraire des Outaouais for 9 years. Novelist, playwright and poet, her work has won her nominations and literary prizes, including the 2002 Trillium Prize and the 2010 Poetry Prize. She has published seven novels, two poetry collections, a short story collection and a play, and participates in collectives.

• Paul Savoie: In addition to publishing approximately forty books across several literary genres, Paul Savoie has written several songs and composed piano music, which he has often performed live. He won the Trillium Prize twice: in 2007 for his CRAC collection, and in 2012 for Bleu bémol. He was awarded the Champlain Prize for his short story collection Dérapages. He has lived in Toronto since the early 1980s.

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

• McClelland & Stewart: For more than 100 years, McClelland & Stewart has helped to shape and champion Canada’s cultural conversation. It continues to assert its independent spirit by taking bold risks that push the boundaries of literary excellence, challenge the status quo, and reflect the rich and diverse range of voices in our country. (Publisher for The Blue Clerk by Dionne Brand).

• Signal Editions / Véhicule Press: Since 1973 Véhicule Press has published award-winning poetry, fiction, essays, translations, and social history.Véhicule Press has long been at the centre of much of Montreal’s literary activity and has chronicled the writing of emerging and established writers from Quebec and across Canada. (Publisher for Sit How You Want by Robin Richardson).

• Prise de parole, founded in Sudbury in the 1970s, has a mandate to support works of literary creation in minority communities and the reflection on the environment, human and social sciences across Canada, publishing novels, poetry, theatre, studies and essays in the Humanities. (Publisher for Et si un soir by Lisa L’Heureux).

• Les Éditions L’Interligne: Proud supporters of minority communities, Les Éditions L'Interligne publishes exclusively authors from French Ontario and Outaouais Quebec, whether established or emerging. (Publisher for La marchande, la sorcière, la lune et moi by Diya Lim).

ABOUT US

Ontario Creates (formerly OMDC) is a provincial agency that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the book, music, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists::

Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca
416-642-6619

ontariocreates.ca

Disponible en français

May 14, 2019

TORONTO – Sixteen books have been shortlisted for the 2019 Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium, the Ontario Government’s prestigious award for literature for four separate prizes. Five English books and five French titles have been shortlisted for the main awards. Three English-language poetry titles will compete for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, and three French-language titles will vie for the Children’s Literature in the French language prize. For detailed information on all the 2019 Trillium Book Award finalists click here.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Tamara Faith Berger, Queen Solomon, Coach House Books
• Dionne Brand, The Blue Clerk, McClelland & Stewart
• Claudia Dey, Heartbreaker, Harper Avenue, an imprint of HarperCollins
• K.D. Miller, Late Breaking, Biblioasis
• Miriam Toews, Women Talking, Knopf Canada

French-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Alain Doom, Un quai entre deux mondes, Prise de parole
• Gilles Latour, À la merci de l'étoile, Les Éditions L'Interligne
• Lisa L'Heureux, Et si un soir, Prise de parole
• Yvon Malette, Entre le risque et le rêve, Éditions David
• David Ménard, Poupée de rouille, Les Éditions L'Interligne

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language:

• Gwen Benaway, Holy Wild, Book*hug
• Stevie Howell, I left nothing inside on purpose, McClelland & Stewart
• Robin Richardson, Sit How You Want, Signal Editions; Véhicule Press

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French language:

• Pierre-Luc Bélanger, L'Odyssée des neiges, Éditions David
• Diya Lim, La marchande,la sorcière, la lune et moi, Les Éditions L'Interligne
• Daniel Marchildon, Otages de la nature, Éditions David

Celebrate the Trillium Book Award finalists and hear the authors read from their books at a free public reading at the Toronto Reference Library to be held on June 12, 2019 at the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon.The winners will be announced on June 13, 2019 at an industry dinner to be held in Toronto.

QUOTES

“The Trillium Book Awards, Ontario’s highest literary honour, recognizes excellence in writing and publishing by shining the spotlight on our homegrown literary talent. Their stories inspire readers across our great province and beyond and I am proud to congratulate this year’s finalists.”

- Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

“The Ontario book publishing sector is the biggest in Canada. It contributes more than $500 million to Ontario’s GDP and employs nearly 6,500 people. Through the Trillium Book Awards, Ontario Creates celebrates the authors that drive excellence in Ontario’s book publishing industry.”

- Aaron Campbell, Chair, Ontario Creates

“Ontario Creates is proud to showcase our province’s incredible literary talent through the Trillium Book Awards. The celebrations feature a night of author readings which is open to the public – an exciting, opportunity for Ontarians to meet the finalist authors and hear them read from their books which represent the very best literature and poetry in the province.”

- Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles.
• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. Three titles have been short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Children’s Literature in French language, which is awarded in alternating years with the Trillium Book Awards for Poetry in French language. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the titles.
• Previous winners have included world-renowned writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Michael Ondaatje, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.
• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.64 billion industry, with two-thirds of revenues generated in Ontario.

Info:

Bob Reid
416-482-2308
reid@veritasinc.com

Suzan Ayscough, Head of Communications
Ontario Creates
416-642-6619
sayscough@ontariocreates.ca

ontariocreates.ca
Disponible en français

June 21, 2018

TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD/PRIX TRILLIUM

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award in 1987 to recognize the literary excellence and diversity of Ontario writers and writing. The Trillium Book Award reflects the wealth of talent and creativity of Ontario authors writing in both English and French languages. The award is open to books in any genre which makes for a rich, diverse range of fiction and non-fiction winning titles, as well as for the yearly shortlist. The award is considered the province’s foremost honour for literature.

This year’s nominees reflect the tremendous breadth, depth and diversity of Ontario authors – ranging from the well-established to those who were published for the first time, and from urban- to small-town-dwellers.

We thank the members of the English and French language juries for their dedication and hard work in reviewing the many submissions, narrowing them down to a shortlist and selecting the winning authors:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD

• Nathan Adler is a writer (author of Wrist) and artist who works in many different mediums, including audio & video, drawing & painting, as well as glass. He is an MFA candidate for Creative Writing from UBC, a first-place winner of the Aboriginal Writing Challenge, and a recipient of a Hnatyshyn Reveal award for Literature; he is Anishinaabe and Jewish, a member of Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, and resides in Mono, Ontario.
• Cynthia Good has been a leader in the publishing industry for many years. She was the first editorial director of Penguin Books Canada where she established a successful publishing program. She rose to president and publisher, leaving Penguin to develop the Creative Book Publishing Program at Humber College. Cynthia currently lives in Toronto and addresses many local book clubs. She continues to lead workshops in publishing and writing across Canada.
• Rabindranath Maharaj is an award-winning author of three short story collections and five novels, including The Amazing Absorbing Boy, which won the Trillium Book Award and the Toronto Book Award. Previous books were nominated for various awards, including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and The Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. In 2013, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. His novel, Adjacentland, has just been released.
• David Groulx is proud of his Aboriginal roots – Ojibwe Indian and French Canadian. He received his BA from Lakehead University, where he won the Munro Poetry Prize, and studied creative writing at the En’owkin Centre in Penticton, B.C., where he won the Simon J Lucas Jr. Memorial Award for poetry. David has had eleven poetry books published. He was a featured reader at the IFOA in Toronto & Barrie (2011), as well as Ottawa Writer’s Festival (2012).
• Meaghan Strimas is the author of three poetry collections, Junkman’s Daughter, A Good Time Had By All, and Yes or Nope, which was awarded the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2017. Strimas is also the editor of The Selected Gwendolyn MacEwen. She is a professor in the Department of English at Humber College, and the editor of the Humber Literary Review. Strimas is at work on a novel and her fourth book of poems. She lives in Toronto with her family.
• Anna Yin was Mississauga’s Inaugural Poet Laureate (2015-2016) and Ontario representative for the League of Canadian Poets (2013-2016). She has authored six books of poetry and has won awards including the 2005 Ted Plantos Memorial Award, two MARTYs, two scholarships from West Chester University Poetry Conference, two grants from OAC and 2013 Professional Achievement Award from CPAC. She also teaches Poetry Alive at schools and libraries.
• Daniel Castillo Durante has published six essays, five novels and two collections of short stories. He won the 1995 Prix Victor-Barbeau from the Académie des Lettres du Québec, the 1999 Prix Le Droit (Les Foires du Pacifique), the 2007 Trillium Book Award (La Passion des nomades, novel) and the Prix de la Société des Écrivains Francophones d’Amérique 2008 (Un café dans le Sud, novel). He is a tenured professor at the University of Ottawa and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
• Aristote Kavungu is an author of Congolese and Angolan origin. He was a Prix Anne-Hébert finalist for L’adieu à San Salvador. Following the publication of his book Un Train pour l’Est, he was a finalist for Radio-Canada’s Prix des Lecteurs (Reader’s Choice Award) and won the Grand Prix at the Salon du Livre de Toronto. As a scriptwriter, he wrote the short film Pour l’amour d’Aicha. He was awarded the Primaco Ontario Afro-Caribbean Award of Merit in 2005.
• Michèle Matteau is a poet, playwright, novelist and short-story writer. She is a winner of the Ottawa Book Award. The first volume of her trilogy À ta santé, la vie !, Cognac et Porto, won a Trillium Book Award and the third volume, Un doigt de brandy dans un verre de lait chaud, earned the Prix Christine-Dimitriu-van-Saanen. Passerelles, her first poetry collection, took the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2010, and her collection Le Fol Aujourd’hui was a finalist for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2014.
• Doubleday Canada, one of Canada’s most prominent publishers for more than seventy-five years, is committed to producing the finest fiction from both established and new voices and to developing challenging and entertaining non-fiction for a broad and diverse reading public. (Publisher for Birds Art Life by Kyo Maclear).
• Éditions Biblioasis is a literary press based in Windsor, Ontario, with a multi-dimensional mandate: to publish the best literary fiction, criticism and poetry in the country; to publish sophisticated and elegant writing, and to contribute to and help direct literary and cultural development and taste in Canada. (Publisher for Class Clown by Pino Coluccio).
• Prise de parole, founded in Sudbury in the 1970s, has a mandate to support works of literary creation in minority communities and the reflection on the environment, human and social sciences across Canada, publishing novels, poetry, theatre, studies and essays in the Humanities. (Publisher for Sous le soleil by Aurélie Resch and Oubliez by Sylvie Bérard).

ENGLISH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

FRENCH LANGUAGE JURY FOR TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD AND TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD FOR POETRY

Congratulations to the publishers of the Trillium winning books for their commitment to, and support, of the authors:

PUBLISHERS OF TRILLIUM BOOK AWARD WINNERS

Disponible en français

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists
Ranziba Nehrin | 416.342.1845
Ranziba.nehrin@mediaprofile.com

Ontario Media Development Corporation | www.omdc.on.ca

Suzan Ayscough | Head of Communications | 416.642.6619
sayscough@omdc.on.ca

Four Ontario Authors Receive Province’s Top Literary Award

June 21, 2018

TORONTO – The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is pleased to announce the four exceptional Ontario authors who won the prestigious 2018 Trillium Book Awards. The winners are:

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (English)
  Kyo Maclear, Birds Art Life | Doubleday Canada

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award (French)
  Aurélie Resch, Sous le soleil de midi | Éditions Prise de parole

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (English)
  Pino Coluccio, Class Clown | Biblioasis

• WINNER | Trillium Book Award for Poetry (French)
  Sylvie Bérard, Oubliez | Éditions Prise de parole

$75,000 in Trillium Book Award prizes are distributed as follows: Trillium Book Award winners in English-language and French-language receive $20,000 each. Publishers of the winning books each receive $2,500 towards book promotions. The winners of the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English and French receive $10,000 each; their publishers receive $2,000 each. All finalists also receive a $500 honorarium.

QUOTES

“Ontario’s $1.12 billion-dollar publishing industry promotes our culture and our authors to audiences at home and around the world. This year’s Trillium Book Award finalists reflect the wide-ranging experiences and inspirations of our diverse society. The winners and nominees represent the best of Ontario’s literary community and will influence readers and future generations of authors.”

- Mark Sakamoto, Chair, Ontario Media Development Corporation

“Ontario’s publishing companies are a driving force behind a vibrant industry that showcases our stories and our talent to our neighbours. Now, more than ever before, our authors are gaining global recognition with local authors’ works being adapted to screen-based productions that are enjoyed internationally. I am delighted to congratulate this year’s Trillium Book Award winners and finalists for their outstanding achievements and contribution to Canadian literature.”

- Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Media Development Corporation

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award, Ontario’s highest honour, is also amongst the most highly regarded literary awards in the country and around the world.

• Previous winners include world-renowned writers Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Alice Munro, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.

• The Trillium Book Award for Poetry recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry.

• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.12 billion industry, with two-thirds of revenues generated in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

The Ontario government established the Trillium Book Award (Backgrounder) in 1987 to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario writers and their works. Ontario Media Development Corporation manages the Trillium Book Awards.

The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport that facilitates economic development opportunities for Ontario’s cultural media industries including book and magazine publishing, film and television, music and interactive digital media industries.

BE PART OF IT

Ontario is a global hub for content creation and distribution. From digital innovation to literature, Ontario’s cultural sectors contribute billions of dollars to the economy, employ hundreds of thousands of people and power some of the world’s most innovative content.

Disponible en français

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists
Ranziba Nehrin | 416.342.1845
Ranziba.nehrin@mediaprofile.com

Ontario Media Development Corporation | www.omdc.on.ca

Suzan Ayscough | Head of Communications | 416.642.6619
sayscough@omdc.on.ca

May 24, 2018

TORONTO – Six English and five French books have been shortlisted for the 2018 Trillium Book Award, the Ontario government’s prestigious award for literature. Three titles are also shortlisted for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in both English language and French language. For detailed information on all the 2018 Trillium Book Award finalists click here.

English-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Cherie Dimaline, The Marrow Thieves, DCB/Cormorant Books
• Catherine Hernandez, Scarborough, Arsenal Pulp Press
• Kyo Maclear, Birds Art Life, Doubleday Canada
• James Maskalyk, Life on the Ground Floor, Doubleday Canada
• Rebecca Rosenblum, So Much Love, McClelland & Stewart
• Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, This Accident of Being Lost, House of Anansi Press

French-language Finalists for the Trillium Book Award:

• Maurice Henrie, Le poids du temps, Les Presses de l’Université d’Ottawa
• Didier Leclair, Le bonheur est un parfum sans nom, Éditions David
• Alain Bernard Marchand, Sept vies, dix-sept morts, Les Herbes rouges
• Blaise Ndala, Sans capote ni kalachnikov, Mémoire d’encrier
• Aurélie Resch, Sous le soleil de midi, Éditions Prise de parole

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language:

• Pino Coluccio, Class Clown, Biblioasis
• Puneet Dutt, The Better Monsters, Mansfield Press
• Phoebe Wang, Admission Requirements, McClelland & Stewart

Finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in French language:

• Sylvie Bérard, Oubliez, Éditions Prise de parole
• Chloé LaDuchesse, Furies, Mémoire d’encrier
• Christian Milat, Si je connaissais…, Éditions David

The winners will be announced on June 21, 2018 at a dinner to be held in Toronto.

QUOTES

“Ontario’s publishing industry makes important contributions to both our quality of life and our provincial economy. With revenues of $1.1 billion and strong international sales to countries around the world, Ontario boasts the largest book publishing sector in Canada. OMDC is honoured to be showcasing Ontario’s tremendous wealth of literary talent and diversity as we celebrate the 2018 Trillium Book Awards.” - Mark Sakamoto, Chair, Ontario Media Development Corporation

“We are especially pleased that the 2018 Trillium Award juries have selected a diverse group of English-language authors for the short list, including Indigenous writers, and that there is strong regional representation among the French-language finalists. This cross section of authors and their chosen topics reflect the people and stories of Ontario.” – Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Media Development Corporation

QUICK FACTS

• The Trillium Book Award/Prix Trillium encourages excellence in literature by investing in Ontario-based writers. Award recipients receive $20,000 and their respective publishers receive $2,500 to promote the winning titles. All finalists receive a $500 honorarium.

• Three titles are short-listed for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry in English language and in French language, which recognizes literary achievement for a first, second or third published work of poetry. The winner for each of these awards receives $10,000 and their publisher $2,000 for promotion of the titles. Finalists for these awards also receive a $500 honorarium.

• Previous winners have included world-renowned writers Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Austin Clarke, Thomas King, Michael Ondaatje, Marguerite Andersen, Andrée Lacelle and François Paré.

• Book publishing in Canada is a $1.1 billion industry, with two-thirds of revenues generated in Ontario.

LEARN MORE

The Trillium Book Award was established to recognize excellence, support marketing and foster increased public awareness of the quality and diversity of Ontario authors and their works.

Info for Trillium Book Award Finalists:
Ranziba Nehrin
(416) 342-1845
Ranziba.nehrin@mediaprofile.com

Contact for OMDC:
Sharon Wilson
(416) 642-6616
swilson@omdc.on.ca

www.omdc.on.ca

Disponible en français