2010 Governor General's Literary Award Winners Announced

The Canada Council for the Arts today announced the 14 winners of the 2010 Governor General's Literary Awards, worth $25,000 each. This year, 11 of the 14 winners received the award for the very first time. The seven English and seven French awards are given to authors, illustrators and translators in the categories of fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, children's literature (text and illustration) and translation.

For the second time in the Awards' history, the award for children's literature text and illustration recognized the talents of the author and illustrator who worked on the same book. Author Élise Turcotte and illustrator Daniel Sylvestre each received an award for Rose : derrière le rideau de la folie. Among those who have already won the award are Élise Turcotte; Sophie Voillot, winner for Le cafard , the French translation of Cockroach by Rawi Hage; and Linda Gaboriau, winner for Forests, the English translation of the play Forêts, by Wajdi Mouawad.

"This year's recipients are excellent representatives of the talent and immense creativity of Canadian writers, illustrators and translators. I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to these artists, people who – through their passion – ignite our love of reading with every new book," said His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

His Excellency will present the 2010 Governor General's Literary Awards on Thursday, November 25 at 6 p.m. during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. Media representatives wishing to cover the awards presentation should contact Marie Ève Létourneau at the Rideau Hall Press Office, at 613-998-0287 or marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca.

Read the complete news release, including the names of the finalists, the book titles, and the peer assessment committees' citations for each work here or by copying and pasting the following URL into your web browser's address bar: www.canadacouncil.ca/news/releases/2010/bl129343241245722000.htm

Check out this electronic press kit for more information about this year's winners and the awards.