About The Saskatchewan Book Awards ...
...A Look Back
Here is a brief history of the Saskatchewan Book Awards, written by Paul Wilson, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, on the occasion of the SBA's Fifth Anniversary (and updated by SBA Executive Director, Joyce Wells in 2001).
It was clear by the early '90s that Saskatchewan books were receiving national and international acclaim, including Governor General's awards, but little public recognition at home. In 1993 the Saskatchewan Publishers Group, Saskatchewan Library Association, and Saskatchewan Writers Guild established the Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) to celebrate the achievement of Saskatchewan authors and publishers and to promote their books. In 1994 the Saskatchewan Book Awards was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization governed by a 9 - 11 person volunteer board of directors.
In its first year, SBA offered four prizes. New awards have been added to meet demand and as award sponsors could be found. In 1994 new genre awards were added for a total of seven. By 1995 the Awards were becoming the highlight of Saskatchewan's literary year. Several awards were changed to reflect demand and the Fiction award was added for a total of eight. In 1996 awards for Publishing in Education and the First Peoples Publishing were added, a major step in recognizing diversity. In 1997 SBA celebrated its fifth anniversary. Pulitzer Prize winner, Richard Ford was the guest speaker and SBA published a brochure about the organization.
To fulfill its mandate to promote Saskatchewan books and authors, SBA initiated a Brunch and Readings in Saskatoon featuring short-listed authors from the area. The brunch has grown and become a popular literary event. A Reading Tour which moves annually to smaller centres was started in 1999 and a Shortlist brunch was initiated in Regina in 2000.
SBA promotes all books entered with a display table at the SBA gala, silent auctions at conferences throughout the province and local, provincial and national media exposure. SBA raises recognition of and increases the market for Saskatchewan books here and across the nation.