The Dayne Ogilvie Prize is presented annually to a Canadian writer from the LGBTQ2S+ community for a debut book in any genre.
The prize was established in 2007 by Robin Pacific in honour of her late friend Dayne Ogilvie, who was a respected editor, writer, literary manager, and passionate lover of all the arts. The 2022 prize is gratefully supported by one anonymous donor and an endowment fund established by Robin Pacific.
“It is clear from the very first sentences that francesca ekwuyasi’s Butter Honey Pig Bread is an ambitious and assured debut. What is extraordinary, though, is that from those first sentences the novel keeps expanding in both breadth and depth like a slowly unfurling universe. ekwuyasi gives us not one protagonist but three, each their own galaxy of complexity. This work is filled with many pleasures, by turns sensuous and sensual, magical and mystical, but also deadly serious in its exploration of harm and reconciliation. A profound work of love, Butter Honey Pig Bread reminds us that the best novels can hold what cannot be contained.”
— 2022 Dayne Ogilvie Prize Jury (Billy-Ray Belcourt, Samra Habib, and Zoey Leigh Peterson)
“The recognition gives a lot of agency, power, and love back to those of us who are producing and writing right now.”
Robin Pacific established the prize in 2007 to honour her late friend, Dayne Ogilvie, who was a respected editor, writer, literary manager, and passionate lover of all the arts. The Dayne Ogilvie Prize rewards LGBTQ2S+ writers for a debut book in any genre.
Past winners of the prize include Michael V. Smith, Zoe Whittall, Farzana Doctor, Kai Cheng Thom, and, most recently, francesca ekwuyasi. The 2022 prize is gratefully supported by one anonymous donor.
