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. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
Chrysalis is an electric array of queer, feminist, and mythical short stories. Varghese uses aspects of Hindu folklore and magical realism to transform her stories into powerful tales. Elements of queerness are sprinkled throughout, turning our perception of love stories on their head. The writing is focused and vivid with characters that are unapologetic and feisty; they love who they love and do not shy away from stepping into their powerful selves. These are not typical diasporic stories of food, identity, and belonging, but rather ones that weave together thematic complexities of the historical horrors of colonialism with queerness and joy.
“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 this 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 of any age for a debut book in any genre. From 2007 to 2021, it was given to writers in the developing stages of their careers and whose body of work demonstrated great literary potential. Past winners of the prize include Michael V. Smith, Zoe Whittall, Farzana Doctor, Kai Cheng Thom, Jillian Christmas, and, most recently, francesca ekwuyasi.
