2024 Victoria Book Prize Winners
October 18th, 2024
Local authors Kathryn Mockler (at right) and Raina Delisle emerged winners at the Victoria Book Prizes this year. The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize was awarded to Mockler for her work of fiction, Anecdotes (Book*Hug Press $23.00), and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize was awarded to Delisle for her work of non-fiction, Breaking News: Why Media Matters (Orca $26.95). Each author received $5,000 as part of their award.
Anecdotes is a hybrid collection of dreamlike stories and dark humor that addresses themes of sexual violence, abuse and environmental collapse. Divided into four parts, it features absurdist flash fiction in “The Boy is Dead,” where characters encounter strange scenarios like a park hating hippies and birds crashing into buildings. In “We’re Not Here to Talk About Aliens,” autofictions trace a protagonist’s journey from childhood to early adulthood, exploring sexual awakening amid potential violence. “This Isn’t a Conversation” presents overheard one-liners, diary entries, and random thoughts reflecting the absurdity of political and environmental crises. Finally, “My Dream House” personifies the past and future in conflicting relationships. These immersive and varied stories use playful forms to confront serious and unsettling times.
Breaking News: Why Media Matters helps children from ages 9-12 become critical news consumers in a world where fake news and clickbait are common. As people spend more time online, the risk of encountering misinformation and disinformation grows, which can have serious consequences, as seen during events like the COVID-19 pandemic. The book explores the history of the media industry, the vital role news plays today, and the challenges it faces, providing young readers with tools to distinguish fact from fiction and find reliable information.
Mayor Marianne Alto and co-sponsor Brian Butler announced the winners at the gala on October 16. The event was emceed by CBC’s Kathryn Marlow at the Union Club of British Columbia and began with a traditional welcome from Coast Salish artist and storyteller Brianna Bear. “It’s an honor to celebrate these two talented Victoria storytellers and their exceptional literary achievements,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “Their work not only enriches our community but also underscores the profound impact that writing can have in shaping our collective understanding and inspiring positive change beyond our local boundaries.”
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