College of Arts and Science faculty, alumni shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Awards
Awards ceremony will be held on April 27, 2019, at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina
By Shannon Boklaschuk
Faculty and alumni from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science are among the shortlisted authors in the running for the 26th Saskatchewan Book Awards.
English professor Dr. Jeanette Lynes (PhD), who serves as the director of USask’s MFA in Writing program, was shortlisted in three categories for her novel The Small Things That End the World. Those categories include the
Regina Public Library Book of the Year Award, the Muslims for Peace and Justice Fiction Award and the City of Saskatoon and Public Library Saskatoon Book Award. In 2009, Lynes was longlisted for the Giller Prize for her book The Factory Voice.
English professor emeritus and College of Arts and Science alumnus Dr. Bob Calder (BA’63, MA’65) was also shortlisted for three awards for his book A Hero for the Americas. Those categories include the Regina Public Library Book of the Year Award, the University of Saskatchewan Non-Fiction Award and the City of Saskatoon and Public Library Saskatoon Book Award.
History professor Dr. Valerie Korinek (PhD), who currently serves as the College of Arts and Science’s vice-dean faculty relations, was shortlisted in two categories for her book Prairie Fairies: A History of Queer Communities and People in Western Canada, 1930-1985. Those categories include the University of Saskatchewan Non-Fiction Award and the Jennifer Welsh Scholarly Writing Award, which is named in honour of College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence recipient Jennifer Welsh (BA’87).
College of Arts and Science alumni were also included on the shortlist.
Randy Lundy (BA’94, MA’00) was shortlisted in four categories for his book of poetry, Blackbird Song. J.F. Conway (BA’66, MA’68) was shortlisted in three categories for his book The Prairie Populist. College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence recipient Arthur Slade (BA’89) was shortlisted for the Murray and Edna Forbes Young Adult Literature Award for his book Crimson.
A book written by Alumni of Influence Sharon Butala (BEd’62, BA’63, PGD’73, DLitt’04) was shortlisted in a publishing category. Butala’s mystery novel Zara’s Dead, from Coteau Books, is in the running for the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport Publishing Award.
As well, former Saskatchewan poet laureate Robert (Bob) Currie (BSP’61, BA’64, EDUC’66, BEd’66) was shortlisted for the Saskatchewan Arts Board Poetry Award for his book One-Way Ticket. The book Never Rub Noses With a Narwhal, written by Ruth Wellborn and illustrated by Morgan Wellborn (BA’09), was shortlisted for the First Book Award. The book In Another Air, written by gillian harding-russell (PhD’86), was shortlisted for the City of Regina Book Award.
The names of the shortlisted authors and publishers were announced on Feb. 14. The awards ceremony will be held on April 27, 2019, at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina. Symphony orchestra conductor Victor Sawa will serve as the emcee for the awards event, which will also feature a performance from world-renowned hoop dancer Terrance Littletent.
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