Jane Eaton Hamilton of Vancouver, BC has scooped the CBC Canada Writes prize for her South Africa-set story, "Smiley", which takes its title from the traditional South African sheep's head dish.
Jane has reason to celebrate, not only for her big win this year, but because this is her second time around — she won Canada Writes previously in 2003, and has also twice been awarded the PRISM International Fiction Prize. Her story was selected from over 3,200 received from across the country.
The jury was comprised of acclaimed writers Helen Humphreys, Colin McAdam and Kathleen Winter. The jury praised Jane's story as "Original and alive", describing "Smiley" as "the story of a Cape Town girl's identity crisis, her search for self within her family and nature. With precise language and evocative imagery, the story manages to convey many times the weight of its chosen words".
Jane is the author of seven books, including two volumes of short fiction. Her stories have been included in the Journey Prize Anthology and Best Canadian Short Stories.
The grand prize consists of $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, publication in the April edition of Air Canada's enRoute magazine. Jane will also receive a two-week writing residency at prestigious The Banff Centre.
The French Grand Prize winner was also announced this morning: Sarah Desrosiers of Montreal, QC captured the award for her story "Un entrefilet".
The English and French winners will be recognized and read from their work at the Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival on Saturday, May 3, 2014.
Four runners-up will receive $1,000 each:
Alix Hawley of Kelowna, BC for "Jumbo"
Laura Legge of Toronto, ON for "Tukisiviit?"
Trent Lewin of Waterloo, ON for "Saad Steps Out"
Annie Reid of Vancouver, BC for "Longshot"
You can read Jane's story (as well as those by all four runners-up) on the CBC Canada Writes website.
And stay tuned to Open Book for a special interview with Jane and with jurors Kathleen Winter and Colin McAdam!
Post new comment