Haisla author Eden Robinson has done it again - not only has her latest novel Son of a Trickster been nominated for a prestigious national award, but she has also received a $50,000 award from the Writers’ Trust Fellowship.
The Writers’ Trust is a charitable organization that recognizes one Canadian writer for his or her exceptional creative ability and outstanding promise, awarding them $50,000 to free them from financial concerns and give them the breathing space necessary to write.
This is only the third time that the Trust has awarded the fellowship since it was launched, based on the body of work that the author has produced.
Robinson was recognized for her four books; Son of a Trickster (2017), Blood Sports (2007), Monkey Beach (2001) and Traplines (1998).
The two-part nomination process begins with a secret nomination of 50 writers from across the country, followed by judging by an anonymous jury.
“I have no idea who nominated me - this came completely out the blue,” said Robinson, who received a call from the Trust three weeks ago inviting her to attend a gala and to prepare an acceptance speech.
She was also part of a special documentary that was produced by a documentary team that spent three days in Kitamaat Village and Kitimat filming.
The documentary was screened at the gala on November 7.
“The award will take care of my living expenses and I won’t have to rely so heavily on freelancing and teaching.”
Robinson also stands to be selected for a two-week all-costs-paid residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, which involves accommodating writers in a hotel for the two weeks and allowing them to write in one of the Centre’s studios situated in the woods.
Robinson’ latest novel, Son of a Trickster, has also been nominated for the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize, one of only five books chosen from a list of 112 titles submitted by 73 publishers from across the country.
The five authors on the shortlist receive $10,000, the winner receiving $100,000 at a special banquet to be held on November 20.
Son of a Trickster is the first book in a trilogy, the second book to be published in the fall of 2018.
Robinson’s book Monkey Beach was nominated for a Giller award in 2000.