'Daves' seen as frontrunners for top literary prize

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David Bergen (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Novels by the two big Daves of the Winnipeg literary scene are among six nominees for Manitoba’s annual McNally Robinson Book of the Year.

David Bergen’s The Age of Hope and Dave Williamson’s Dating are likely the favourites for the $5,000 prize, which will be handed out a ceremony April 28 at the West End Cultural Centre.

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild, which sponsors the awards in conjunction with the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, released the shortlists for 12 categories on Thursday.

Free Press reporter Bill Redekop’s book Dams of Contention: The Rafferty-Alameda Story and the Birth of Canadian Environmental Law, received nominations in two categories, best non-fiction and best book by a Manitoba publisher.

McNally Robinson Book of the Year

• The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins Canada
• Dating by Dave Williamson, published by Turnstone Press
• The House on Sugarbush Road by Méira Cook, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications
• Imagining Winnipeg: History through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, by Esyllt W. Jones, published by University of Manitoba Press
• Monstrance by Sarah Klassen, published by Turnstone Press
• Whitetail Shooting Gallery by Annette Lapointe, published by Anvil Press

Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction

• Creation and Transformation: Defining Movements in Inuit Art by Darlene Coward Wight, published by Douglas and MacIntyre and the Winnipeg Art Gallery
• Dams of Contention by Bill Redekop, published by Heartland Associates
• On the Fly: A Hockey Fan's View from the 'Peg by Wayne Tefs, published by Turnstone Press
• Racialized Policing by Elizabeth Comack, published by Fernwood Publishing

Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry/Prix Lansdowne de poésie

• Marchand d’intensité by Laurent Poliquin, published by L’Harmattan
• Monstrance by Sarah Klassen, published by Turnstone Press
• The Politics of Knives by Jonathan Ball, published by Coach House Books

Best Illustrated Book of the Year

• 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Alexander Robertson, illustrations by Scott B. Henderson, design by Relish New Brand Experience, published by Highwater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press.
• Imagining Winnipeg: History through the Photographs of L.B. Foote, by Esyllt W. Jones, design by Doowah Design, published by University of Manitoba Press
• Mike Grandmaison's Prairie and Beyond, photographs by Mike Grandmaison, design by Jamis Paulson, published by Turnstone Press
• Romulus + Remus: Issue 1 written, illustrated, and published by Scott Ford

Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award

• The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins
• Dating: A Novel by Dave Williams, published by Turnstone Press
• Imagining Winnipeg: History Through the Photographs of L. B. Foote by Esyllt W. Jones, published by University of Manitoba Press
• What You Get at Home by Dora Dueck, published by Turnstone Press

Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book

• All Things Considered by Joan-Dianne Smith, published by Goldfish Publishing
• Sonar by Kristian Enright, published by Turnstone Press
• Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer

• Kristian Enright
• Kevin Marc Fournier
• Katherena Vermette

Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year

• Bedtime Stories for the Edge of the World by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, design by Lisa Friesen (Winnipeg Art Gallery), calligraphy by Nicole Coulson, published by ARP Books
• I Know Who You Remind Me Of, stories by Naomi K. Lewis, design by Relish New Brand Experience, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications
• The Marsh Keepers Journey: the Story of Ducks Unlimited Canada by Bruce Batt, design by Jeope Wolfe, published by Ducks Unlimited Canada.
• Warehouse Journal Vol.21 co-edited by Nicole Hunt and Brandon Bergem, designed and published by the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture

The Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction

• The Age of Hope by David Bergen, published by Harper Collins Canada
• Eleven Pipers Piping by C. C. Benison, published by Doubleday Canada
• The House on Sugarbush Road by Méira Cook, published by Enfield & Wizenty, an imprint of Great Plains Publications
• The Only Man in the World by Faith Johnston, published by Turnstone Press
• Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press
• What You Get at Home by Dora Dueck, published by Turnstone Press

Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher

• Dams of Contention: The Rafferty-Alameda Story and the Birth of Canadian Environmental Law by Bill Redekop, design by Dawn Huck, published by Heartland Associates
• Food for the Gods: An Epikurean Epic by Karen Dudley, cover design by Doowah Design, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press
• Imagining Winnipeg: History Through the Photographs of L.B. Foote by Esyllt W. Jones, design by Doowah Design, published by University of Manitoba Press
• Mike Grandmaison’s Prairie and Beyond, photographs by Mike Grandmaison, text by Jan Volney, design by Jamis Paulson, published by Turnstone Press
• Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther, cover design by Jamis Paulson, interior design by Sharon Caseburg, published by Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award – Older Category

• 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Alexander Robertson, published by Highwater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press
• The Green-Eyed Queen of Suicide City by Kevin Marc Fournier, published by Great Plains Teen Fiction
• The Last Song by Eva Wiseman, published by Tundra Books

Le Prix littéraire Rue-Deschambault

• Les enfants de Tantale par Lise Gaboury-Diallo, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
• Poème Pierre Prière par J.R. Léveillé, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
• La Révolution Tranquille par Raymond - M. Hebert, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
• Li Rvinant par Rhéal Cenerini, publié par Les Éditions du Blé