Tim Wynne-Jones, Tom Dawe among writers appointed to Order of Canada

Last week, Governor General David Johnston announced that he will appoint prolific children’s writer Tim Wynne-Jones an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Wynne-Jones has written more than 25 books, twice received the Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s literature, and earned the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award three times. According to a press release from the Governor General’s office, the latest honour was bestowed for “his contributions to Canadian literature.”

Among the other 65 new appointments were Vinyl Cafe host Stuart McLean, author of 10 books, who was named an Officer for “his contributions to Canadian culture as a storyteller and broadcaster.” Food writer Anita Stewart, whose latest book, Anita Stewart’s Canada, was published in 2008 by HarperCollins Canada, was made a Member of the Order for “her contributions as a journalist, author, and culinary activist.” Tom Dawe, poet and founding member of St. John’s publisher Breakwater Books, was also named a Member thanks to “his contributions to Newfoundland literature as a poet, teacher and co-founder of Breakwater Books and TickleAce magazine.”

(Dawe followed up the honour by winning the Writer’s Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2011 Heritage and History Book Award for his poetry collection Where Genesis Begins in St. John’s on Tuesday night.)

Lorna Crozier, Nino Ricci appointed to Order of Canada

Lorna Crozier

Author Nino Ricci and poet Lorna Crozier are among the 50 new nominees appointed to the Order of Canada.

Crozier was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada for “her poetry and for her mentorship of the next generation of Canadian poets.” She is joined by New Brunswick’s Herménégilde Chiasson, who received the honour “for his contributions to the influence of Acadian culture as a poet, playwright, filmmaker, painter, and lieutenant-governor.”

Nino Ricci was named a member of the Order of Canada for “his contributions to Canadian literature as a renowned author.” New York–based author Malcolm Gladwell and literary activist/University of Ottawa professor David Staines were also named members.

The announcement was made today by Governor-General David Johnston. No date has been set for the ceremony.

Hélène Dorion named Officer to the Order of Canada

In a ceremony Friday morning, Governor General David Johnston bestowed the honour of Officer of the Order of Canada on francophone poet, novelist, and essayist Hélène Dorion. In a press release issued by the Governor General’s office, Dorion is described as “a leading figure in contemporary francophone literature” who has created an “impressive body of work in which she questions the very essence and unchanging nature of human beings.”

The author of Days of Sand (Cormorant Books), No End to the World (Guernica Editions), and The Edges of Light (Guernica), Dorion’s work has been translated in more than 15 languages. The Order is the latest in a series of prestigious honours and awards she has won throughout her career, including the Governor General Literary Award for Poetry (2006), the Prix Anne-Hébert (2004), and the Alain Grandbois Prize (1996). In 2005, she was the first female poet from Quebec to win France’s Mallarmé prize. Dorion was previously named a knight of the National Order of Quebec and a member of the Quebec Academy of Letters.

Canadian poet P.K. Page dies

The Victoria Times-Colonist is reporting that iconic Canadian poet P.K. Page has died at the age of 93.

From the story:

The grand dame of Canadian letters – who was born in England but moved to Canada in 1919 – received many honours including the Governor General’s Award, the Order of Canada, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for her literary efforts.

More details to come.

Stan Bevington, David Helwig, and Jack Hodgins named to the Order of Canada

As part of yesterday’s Canada Day festivities, Governor General Michaëlle Jean has announced 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada. Among this year’s new members are BC-based novelist and short story writer Jack Hodgins and poet and novelist David Helwig. Also honoured was Coach House Books founder and “head coach” Stan Bevington and Giller Prize founder Jack Rabinovitch, who was named an officer of the Order. The Quebec writers Wajdi Mouawad, Claude LeBouthillier, and Jean O’Neil were also recognized by the Governor General.

Bookmarks: RIP Pinter, another phony memoir, and more

Some book-related stories and developments over the holidays:

• Good thing writers aren’t in it for the fame. As the National Post reports, nearly half of Canadians can’t name a single Canadian author.
• The Guardian obit for Harold Pinter, an appreciation by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema, and a less appreciative consideration by Tim Walker, who wonders why the playwright had to be such a bummer.
• The New York Times has the full scoop on the latest phony memoir, this one a Holocaust-related love story that took in Oprah as well as a major publisher.
• Entertainment Weekly breaks down the surprise court ruling that could endanger the upcoming release of the long-awaited film adaptation of the classic graphic novel Watchmen.
• Griffin-winning poet Don McKay and former Playwrights Canada Press publisher Angela Rebeiro are named members of the Order of Canada.
• In The Washington Post, former Harcourt publisher André Bernard ponders the state of his industry and pays tribute to Robert Giroux.