Robert Calder, dee Hobsbawn-Smith, Lloyd Ratzlaff: Hicks Manuscript Award Winners

Today, a salute to the recent winners of the 2014 John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award — Robert Calder, dee Hobsbawn-Smith and Lloyd Ratzlaff. These writers' book-length, literary non-fiction manuscripts were celebrated in late October at the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild's annual conference.

Robert Calder took first place for Gonzalo Guerrero: Father of the Mexican; in second place, was dee Hobsbawn-Smith for Bread & Water: Essays; and in third, Lloyd Ratzlaff for Bindy’s Moon: A Sojournal.  The three—who receive $1,000, $650, and $350, respectively—were selected by judges Tim Bowling and Lori A. May. Honourable Mention this year goes to Cassidy McFadzean for Curious Cabinet.  (from the SWG news release... congrats to Cassidy, too!) 

Robert Calder, dee Hobsbawn-Smith and Lloyd Ratzlaff

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October Vertigo Reading Series

A selection of photos from the fantastic October Vertigo Reading Series, with Fionncara MacEoin and Lori Hahnel, along with Bernadette Wagner and other writers from A Gift of the Prairie, music by the Stillhouse Poets, and gracious hosting by Tara Dawn Solheim.

It was great to hear from Fionncara MacEoin's new book, Not the First Thing I've Missed, and from Lori Hahnel's novel, After You've Gone (both from Thistledown Press), as well as the authors from Gift of the Prairie. (And the Stillhouse Poets' singing and steel guitar!)

The Stillhouse Poets

Host, Tara Dawn Solheim 

Lori Hahnel, with her new novel, After You've Gone. 

Fionncara MacEoin, reading from her new
poetry collection, Not the First Thing I've missed. 

Fionncara MacEoin, with her new
poetry collection, Not the First Thing I've missed. 

Bernadette Wagner, introducing the writers
in A Gift of the Prairie 

Sue Cook, reading from
A Gift from the Prairie

June Mitchell, reading her piece in 
A Gift of the Prairie 

Sandra Topinka, with
A Gift of the Prairie 

Bernadette Wagner reads from A Gift of the Prairie 

Some of the writers who contributed to A Gift of the Prairie: left to right, 
Dora Mushka, Sandra Topinka, Bernadette Wagner, Jillian Bell, Karen Nye, June Mitchell and Sue Cook. 

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