Dayne Ogilvie Grant for Emerging Gay Writer
Sponsored by Robin Pacific
Winner: $4,000
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Nancy Jo Cullen's poetry combines a remarkable blend of accessibility, depth, precision and honesty. She tackles dark corners without false dramatics or pretensions. There is a genuine realness in her language. This is a writer who feels like a friend.
-Jury Citation
About the Author
Nancy Jo Cullen is the author of three collections of poetry published by Frontenac House: Science Fiction Saint, Pearl, and Untitled Child. She has received an Alberta Book Publishing Award and was shortlisted for the Gerald Lampert Memorial Award for best first book of poetry, the Writers Guild of Alberta’s Stephan G. Steffanson Award for Poetry, and the City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize. Born in Calgary, Cullen lives in Toronto, where she is at work on a master’s of fine arts in creative writing at the University of Guelph–Humber.
Honours of Distinction
Each writer will receive $250.
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Lisa Foad is a Toronto-based writer whose debut short story collection, The Night Is a Mouth, was published by Exile Editions in 2009. The jury called her debut “a provocative, fearless book, the language surreal in its violence and sensuality. All of the characters — even the despicable ones — are heartbreaking and whole.”
George K. Ilsley is the author of the story collection Random Acts of Hatred and the novel ManBug, both published by Arsenal Pulp Press. Originally from Nova Scotia, he now lives in Vancouver. The jury said of his work: “Ilsley isn’t afraid of the dark, and he doesn’t shy away from being sexy and funny either.”
A jury composed of Brian Francis, Don Hannah, and Suzette Mayr selected the recipients.
About the Grant
Established in 2007, the grant is presented to an emerging Canadian gay or lesbian writer who demonstrates great promise through a body of work of exceptional quality. Writers who identify themselves as gay or lesbian are eligible and while no age restriction exists, the grant is intended for developing writers. The winner, selected by a three-member, independent judging panel, is presented with the prize annually during Pride Week in Toronto.
About the Sponsor
The grant was established by Robin Pacific, a close personal friend of Dayne Ogilvie. Mr. Ogilvie was a highly respected freelance book editor, writer, and manager. A passionate lover of all the arts, he died in October 2006.