CBC and QWF Announce Winners of the 2007 Quebec Writing Competition
Non-STC-Montreal Event | Posted May 9th, 2008
CBC Radio One and the Quebec Writer’s Federation are pleased to announce that Joel Yanofsky has won the top prize in the 2007 Quebec Writing Competition, with his piece “What You Need.” We’re also celebrating the launch of a new book of winning stories from the last three years of the competition: In Other Words (Vehicule Press).
For nine years, the Quebec Writing Competition (formerly the Quebec Short Story Competition) has supported new writing in Quebec by offering authors a chance to create pieces for broadcast on CBC Radio as well as for publication by Maisonneuve Magazine and Vehicule Press. Two years ago, the competition was opened up to include creative non-fiction as well as short stories.
The awards ceremony took place at Blue Metropolis Literary Festival on May 4, 2008 and was hosted by Jeanette Kelly. The 2007 QWC Jurors were Lee Maracle, Sherry Simon and Matthew Fox.
About the 2007 QWC Winners
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Joel Yanofsky for “What You Need”
Jurors’ Comments: In a story that describes an adulthood of thoughts in a single drive home, readers will find the sobriety of an essay, the honesty of a memoir and the truth of narrative fiction. Crisp sentences roll smoothly yet surprisingly along, showing us that parenthood is a journey of unpredictable emotions.
Joel Yanofsky is the author of Mordecai & Me: An Appreciation of a Kind. His most recent work is Love U: The Grad School Musical.
Other two winners of 2007 QWC
Jessica Block for “Common Gull”
Jurors’ comments: Nostalgia and violence conspire here to offer a quiet and understated story. “Common Gull” uses simple dialogue to show us the complexity of childhood, and how even the earliest parts of our life can offer surprising depths of both compassion and curiosity.
Author Bio: Jessica Block works as a subtitle editor in Montreal. She is also completing an MFA in creative writing through UBC’s Optional Residency program.
Jennifer Neri for “The Mistake”
Jurors’ Comments: [This story] brings to life the hypocrisy and racism that exist under the veneer of everyday life, even in a multicultural society. The author shrewdly embeds her social observations in the history of both the central character and her city—Montreal.
Author Bio: Before she could read, she told stories. Once she began reading, she was never without a book. It is this fascination with the unknown, and the known, that led her to do Masters degree in Biochemistry at McGill University. She has recently completed her first novel, and is eager to embark on a second.
Competition Finalists
“A Poem for Caroline” by Bassel Atallah
“The Counterfeit City” byTony France
“Going Home” by Maya Khankhoje
“They Sat on Carol’s L-Shaped Couch” by Joshua Levy
“My Daughter, Annika” by Ilona Martonfi
“Les Jaseurs des cèdres” by Annie Potter
“A Remarkable Event” by Colin Robertson
“Misguidelines” by Patricia Srigley
Photographs of the ceremony at the Blue Metropolis Festival by Monique Dykstra can be viewed at www.StudioIris.ca. Click on Client Login, then enter the password “writing.”
