About The Saskatchewan Book Awards ...
...Saskatchewan Book Awards Entry In The Saskatchewan Encyclopedia (Canadian Plains Research Center, 2002)
Here is the entry on the Saskatchewan Book Awards that will be included in the Saskatchewan Encylopedia, published by Canadian Plains Research Center (2002).
Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA)
Quill & Quire rates Saskatchewan Book Awards as ". . . arguably the best-run writers' event outside of Toronto's Giller Prize. What most astonished our jaded Toronto eyes was that the more than 400 people in attendance clapped and cried with delight when friends won, hugged and cheered one another -- and no one had to be reminded that this was a celebration. . ."
About the Saskatchewan Book Awards: Begun in 1993 by the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Saskatchewan Library Association and Saskatchewan Publishers Group, SBA has grown from four awards to fourteen; from one event to the awards gala plus several Reading Events to promote the shortlist throughout the province and other Reading Events throughout the year. SBA offers cash awards of $2000 to winning authors plus invaluable publicity. The non-profit registered charity receives less than 20% of its budget from provincial and municipal grants, with the remaining funding from corporate sponsorships and donations.
High profile guest speakers have included Peter Gzowski, June Callwood, Pierre Berton, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Bill Richardson and Anna Porter. Notable award winners such as Bonnie Burnard, Sharon Butala, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Anne Szumigalski, Trevor Herriot, Sandra Birdsell, and Arthur Slade have all won Governor General's awards as well.
From one Saskatchewan publisher: "It is our perception that the Saskatchewan Book Awards have established themselves . . . as an award program of enormous credibility on a national basis. " The SBA mandate is:
- to recognize excellence in Saskatchewan writing and publishing
- to recognize the diversity of Saskatchewan writing and publishing
- to promote greater awareness of Saskatchewan books and authors
SBA is directed by a volunteer board of 7 - 20 members. The Executive Director is Glenda James: director@bookawards.sk.ca (306) 569-1585