After more than three decades, the Manitoba Book Awards are no more. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * After more than three decades, the Manitoba Book Awards are no more. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? After more than three decades, the Manitoba Book Awards are no more.
The four organizations that administer the book awards — Plume Winnipeg (formerly the Winnipeg International Writers Festival), Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, Winnipeg Public Library and Manitoba Writers’ Guild — are making the “difficult but necessary decision” to dissolve both the awards program and their coalition, as recommended by a feasibility study released Thursday. “I think that was the expected outcome, because we’ve all been working so very hard at keeping it alive with very little remaining resources,” said Matt Joudrey, president of Association of Manitoba Book Publishers and publisher with At Bay Press. DAVID LIPNOWSKI / FREE PRESS files Author David Bergen won numerous Manitoba Book Awards over the years.
“If I remove my hat as president, as a publisher, it’s disappointing because our authors have nowhere in the province to submit for their provincial awards. “As a writer myself, it’s disappointing because when you have your own book out, you want all the chances you can possibly get.” Founded in 1988, the Manitoba Book Awards recognized excellence in Manitoba writin.