The Latner Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize annually celebrates a Canadian poet’s entire body of work with a $25,000 prize. Listen to the 2020 prizewinner Armand Garnet Ruffo talk about his life, his development as a writer through five poetry collections, and the strong influence of his Ojibwe heritage on his work. Ruffo is interviewed by poet Kaie Kellough, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

Writers' Trust of Canada

Poet Armand Garnet Ruffo on winning the Latner Writers' Trust Poetry Prize

The Writers' Trust Engel Findley Award is given to a mid-career writer in recognition of a remarkable body of work, and in anticipation of future contributions to Canadian literature. Listen to 2020 prizewinner Kerri Sakamoto discuss her early start to writing, how she went about including painful family memories in her stories about Japanese internment camps, and what the future may hold for her books. Sakamoto is interviewed by writer Timothy Taylor, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

Interview with writer Kerri Sakamoto, 2020 Engel Findley Award winner

The Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration of a Writing Life annually celebrates a senior Canadian poet’s with a $25,000 prize in recognition of literary excellence and lifelong devotion to writing. Listen to the 2020 prizewinner Dennis Lee discuss his lifelong fascination with ‘polyphony,’ which he illustrates by reading from his children’s and adult poetry. Lee is interviewed by publisher Patsy Aldana, one of the prize jurors. Their conversation was part of the 2020 Writers’ Trust Awards: Career Honours Edition.

Poet Dennis Lee on winning the Matt Cohen Award

The Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the Canadian writer of the year’s best novel or short story collection and rewards them with $50,000. The 2020 finalists were selected by a jury composed of writers Elisabeth de Mariaffi, Waubgeshig Rice, and Yasuko Thanh. Listen to them discuss what it was like to wade through 100+ books together and why they selected the five prize finalists they did.

Being a Literary Prize Juror with Elisabeth de Mariaffi, Waubgeshig Rice, and Yasuko Thanh

The Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction is given for the year’s best work of Canadian nonfiction and spotlights books with a distinctive voice, as well as a persuasive and compelling command of tone, narrative, style, and technique. The eventual winner receives $60,000. The 2020 finalists were selected by a jury composed of writers Helen Knott, Sandra Martin, and Richard Wright. Listen to them discuss what it’s like to be on a literary prize jury, the tricks and techniques they used to wade through 100+ books, and what was remarkable about the finalists they chose.

Being a Literary Prize Juror with Helen Knott, Sandra Martin, and Ronald Wright

Join the Writers’ Trust of Canada in celebrating the rising stars of Canadian literature. The country’s next generation of literary talent took the stage at the unveiling of a multi-faceted career development program that advances their careers and highlights their work with an endorsement from a proven, influential author. Five notable Canadian writers have each chosen one writer who is poised to produce exceptional and enduring creative work. Hear from program participants David Chariandy, Charlotte Gray, and Taras Grescoe, and meet the up-and-coming talents of Canadian literature: Melissa J. Gismondi, El Jones, Chelene Knight, Dana Mills, and Deborah Ostrovsky. The event was recorded on June 5, 2019, at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Writers' Trust Rising Stars: In Conversation

Jamaican Canadian writer Olive Senior shares observations and insights from her writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. She details her upbringing in Jamaica and the influence of the island’s culture and its peoples on her development as a writer, as well as her education and eventual migration to Canada. The lecture was recorded in Halifax’s Central Public Library during the 2019 OnWords Conference and was presented by the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Author Olive Senior on the Writing Life (Margaret Laurence Lecture 2019)

The $50,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection. Listen to 4 of the shortlisted authors for this prestigious award—Craig Davidson, Rawi Hage, Jen Neale and Kathy Page --in conversation at the Toronto International Festival of Authors on October 24, 2018. Hosted and moderated by Becky Toyne. 1:43 – Kathy Page 13:24 – Rawi Hage 24:47 – Jen Neale 34:04 – Craig Davidson 46:44 - Group discussion

2018 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize Finalists: In Conversation at TIFA

Canadian playwright, novelist, and composer Tomson Highway shares observations and insights from his writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. He details his introduction and appreciation to Canadian literature, the emergence of Indigenous authors in Canadian publishing during the last 40 years, and the differences between languages, particularly between English, one of his adopted language, and Cree, his first language. The lecture was recorded in Toronto’s Fleck Dance Theatre during the 2018 Canadian Writers’ Summit.

Playwright and Novelist Tomson Highway on the Writing Life (Margaret Laurence Lecture 2018)

The $50,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection. Listen to the shortlisted authors for this prestigious award--Carleigh Baker, Claire Cameron, David Chariandy, Omar El Akkad and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson--in conversation at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto on October 25, 2017. Hosted and moderated by Becky Toyne. 1:08 - Omar El Akkad 8:27 - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson 15:12 - Claire Cameron 24:30 - David Chariandy 32:08 - Carleigh Baker 39:57 - Group discussion

Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize Finalists: In Conversation at IFOA

Canadian writer, essayist, and editor John Metcalf shares stories and insights from his writing life in the Margaret Laurence Lecture. He details what makes good writing work with numerous examples, and reveals a touching anecdote about a remarkable intervention from Margaret Laurence herself that inspired him to encourage and guide several generations of younger writers. The lecture was recorded in Vancouver’s Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema during the 2017 OnWords Conference.

Canadian Short Story Champion John Metcalf on the Writing Life (Margaret Laurence Lecture 2017)

Hear three rising stars of Canadian literature (Tyler Engström, Domenica Martinello, and Noor Naga) read their poems during the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award ceremony. This is an award that highlights Canada’s best, developing writers, and it has a track-record for spotlighting future bestselling and literary-award winning talent. Hosted by poet Laura Clarke, who won the Wallace Award in 2013, this podcast concludes with the announcement of this year’s prizewinner. The prize presentation ceremony was recorded in Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music on May 31, 2017. 1:14 - 7:15 -- Tyler Engström reading "after thoughts"; 7:16 - 13:07 -- Domenica Martinello reading "All Day I Dream About Sirens"; 13:08 - 21:05 -- Noor Naga reading "The Mistress and the Ping".

Finalist Readings from the 2017 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers

Zoe Whittall is the author of 4 books of fiction and 3 collections of poetry. In 2008, following the publication of her first novel, Bottle Rocket Hearts, she received the Dayne Ogilvie Award for LGBT Emerging Writers. She appeared at the Women’s Art Association in Toronto to talk about her new novel, The Best Kind of People, a gripping story about a crisis of trust and suspicion that develops when a family patriarch and affable small town hero is accused of sexual impropriety. The event was part of the Writers’ Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on May 17, 2017.

Author Zoe Whittall on The Best Kind of People

Heather O’Neill is the author of 4 books of fiction including the novels Lullabies for Little Girls and The Girl Who Was Saturday Night. She appeared at the Women’s Art Association in Toronto to talk about her new novel, The Lonely Hearts Hotel, a spell-binding story about two gifted orphans in Montreal whose magnetism and talent allow them to imagine a sensational future. The event was part of the Writers’ Trust of Canada Author Series program and was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Author Heather O'Neill on The Lonely Hearts Hotel

Join the Writers’ Trust of Canada as they bring to you amazing Canadian writers for smart talks, provocative conversations, and dramatic readings. The Writers’ Trust is a charitable organization that seeks to advance, nurture, and celebrate Canadian writers and writing.

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