Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction

When our dear friend and talented publicist, writer Michael Van Rooy, passed away suddenly in January of 2011, we here at the Festival wanted to do something to recognize his contribution to the writing community. So when Aqua Books owner Kelly Hughes approached us with the idea of creating an award in Michael’s name, we were on board. The Michael Van Roy Award for Genre Fiction, jointly supported by Aqua Books, Prairie Fire Press, and the Winnipeg International Writers Festival, will be presented for the first time at this year’s Manitoba Book Awards, to be held April 28 at the CCFM.

The Manitoba Writers Guild has released the list of nominees:

Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction
· The Girl in the Wall by Alison Preston, Signature Editions
· The Imagination Manifesto: Book Three by GMB Chomichuk and John Toone, Alchemical Press
· The Thirteen by Susie Moloney, Random House Canada
· The Valedictorians by David Annandale, Ravenstone (an imprint of Turnstone Press)

On Thursday, April 19, some of these writers will be reading from their work at Aqua Books (274 Garry). This free event starts at 7pm. We invite everyone to attend and meet the writers.

The Book Awards celebration on April 28 is also free—it’s a great opportunity to celebrate all of the incredible writing and publishing happening here in Manitoba.

Good luck to all the nominees!