In a world where talented musicians are being discovered via MySpace and the internet, it’s truly a sign of the times that Nova Scotian Johanna Skibsrud just won the Scotiabank Giller Prize for her book The Sentimentalists.
Her publisher Gaspereau Press brought out only a small run of the book of just 800 copies, most of which had been bought prior to the announcement of Giller finalists. Even after The Sentimentalists was shortlisted for the Giller, it was still primarily available for online download as an e-book as Gaspereau Press can apparently only print about 1000 copies a week.
At the Bravo special taping of Arts & Minds ten days earlier, fellow Giller nominee Sarah Selecky (This Cake is for the Party) said that Ms. Skibsrud’s book was the first e-book she had ever read and she downloaded it because she could not get a hard copy of the book as so few were available. Gaspereau Press has adamantly refused offers to produce a second edition for wide distribution.
This shortage of paper copies of the book did not prevent Ms. Skibsrud from being victorious over other finalists Ms. Selecky, Alexander MacLeod (Light Lifting), David Bergen (The Matter with Morris) and Kathleen Winter (Annabel).
The Scotiabank Giller Prize honours the best in Canadian literature and was founded by Jack Rabinovitch 17 years ago in memory of his beloved late wife Doris Giller, a former literary editor at the Toronto Star. This year’s jury included Canadian broadcaster and writer Michael Enright, renowned American writer and professor Claire Messud, and award-winning UK author Ali Smith. Scotiabank announced at the ceremony that they have committed to sponsor these Awards until 2018.
Ms. Skibsrud, who seemed genuinely surprised and touched by the win, told DelectablyChic! that she plans to use her $50,000 prize to pay off her student loan and travel. At just 30 years of age, she is the youngest winner to date. Her sister Kirstin and two close friends accomplished her to the ceremony.
The Giller Awards ceremony was a packed black tie affair at the Four Seasons and drew the who’s who of literary and journalist circles, in addition to many philanthropists, bankers, lawyers and artists. The decor was an elegant white rose and glitter inspired theme and the decadent three course meal included tuna tartar, grilled tenderloin and grand cru torte.
