Event Info
2023 Victoria Book Prizes Gala
Join us as we celebrate 20 years of writers, readers and book lovers!
7:30pm - 10:00pm Doors at: 7:00pm
Event Description
We are thrilled to invite you to the 20th annual celebration of writers, readers, and book lovers in the Capital Regional District. CBC Radio’s Kathyrn Marlow hosts an entertaining evening featuring readings from shortlisted authors and the awarding of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize.
This isn’t your traditional gala. Everyone is welcome to be a part of this relaxed and vibrant community as we celebrate our region’s incredible talent. Enjoy some delicious food, have a drink at the cash bar, and purchase your own copies of the shortlisted works from Munro’s Books, our on-site bookseller.
The $5000 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is awarded to a local author for the best book published in the preceding year in the categories of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. The 2023 finalists are:
Maleea Acker (poetry) – Hesitating Once to Feel Glory (Nightwood Editions)
Robert Amos (non-fiction) – E.J. Hughes: Canadian War Artist (TouchWood Editions)
Mary Bomford (non-fiction) – Red Dust and Cicada Songs (Caitlin Press)
Pauline Holdstock (fiction) – Confessions with Keith (Biblioasis)
Katłįà (fiction) – This House Is Not a Home (Roseway Publishing)
The $5000 City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize is awarded to a local author or illustrator for the best children’s book published in the preceding year. The 2023 finalists are:
Sara Cassidy – Union (Orca Book Publishers)
Monique Gray Smith – I Hope / nipakosêyimon (Orca Book Publishers)
Julie McLaughlin (illustrator) – Little Pine Cone by Johanna Wagstaffe (Orca Book Publishers)
Thank you to our generous sponsors: City of VictoriaButler Concrete & Aggregate, Munro’s Books, Friesens Corporation, Greater Victoria Public Library, CBC Radio, Island Blue Print, Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, and The Union Club of British Columbia.
Our 20th Anniversary sponsors: Orca Book Publishers, Russell BooksHarbour Publishing, and Douglas & McIntyre.
The Victoria Book Prize Society acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territories of many First Nations, including but not limited to BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht), Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut), Sc’ianew (Cheanuh), Songhees, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), T’Sou-ke, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), W̱SIKEM (Tseycum), and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt).