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The search is on for Victoria’s best books

Victoria Book Prize Society’s annual awards which include the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize.

Authors and illustrators from Greater Victoria are invited to participate in the Victoria Book Prize Society’s annual awards which include the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize.

The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize honours members of the literary community. The $5,000 prize is awarded to a local author for the best book published in the preceding year in the categories of poetry, non-fiction and fiction. Established in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies.

“We are pleased to continue our commitment to supporting arts and culture in the community,” said Mayor Dean Fortin. “For the ninth year, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize will honour literary achievement and showcase the incredibly talented authors who contribute to our great city.”

The $5,000 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize will be awarded to an author or illustrator of children’s literature. The prize was created in 2008 by Mel Bolen of Bolen Books to provide authors of children’s and youth literature an increased opportunity for recognition.

“The 2012 gala celebrating local writers and illustrators will take place Oct. 17 at the Union Club. We are looking forward to another wonderfully entertaining evening which showcases our wide range of talented writers,” said Lorna MacDonald, president of the Victoria Book Prize Society. “Our community is very fortunate to have so much talent and a supportive, appreciative audience.”

Books must have been published between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 to be considered. Submissions can be made to the Victoria Book Prize Society, c/o Target Storage Ltd., #15 – 747 Princess Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 1K5  between April 1 and May 31, 2012. Submissions may be delivered in person from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Click here for awards applications and submission guidelines.

How do you stack up against past winners?

Previous City of Victoria Butler Book Prize winners include Kevin Patterson for Country of Cold in 2004, Terrence Young for After Goodlake’s in 2005, Mark Zuehlke for Holding Juno in 2006, Bill Gaston for Gargoyles in 2007, Arleen Paré for Paper Trail in 2008, Patrick Lane for Red Dog, Red Dog in 2009, Frances Backhouse for Children of the Klondike in 2010; and Jack Hodgins for The Master of Happy Endings in 2011.

Previous Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize winners include Chris Tougas for Mechanimals in 2008, Penny Draper for Graveyard of the Sea in 2009, Sylvia Olsen for Counting on Hope in 2010; and Kristi Bridgeman, Illustrator for Uirapurú in 2011.