Canadian Retailer - Store 2014 - 72

LIBRIS AWARDS

2014 LIBRIS AWARDS

Celebrating excellence in Canada's book industry
BY SEAN C. TARRY
FOR LOVERS of Canadian literature, publishing

and bookselling, the 2014 Libris Awards, held as
part of Retail Council of Canada's (RCC) STORE
Conference, was definitely the place to be. And
for those who might suggest that the bookselling
and publishing industries are struggling, attendance at this year's event would have changed
their minds, if not their perspective.
"The energy in the room was amazing," says
Lesley Fletcher, Retail Council of Canada's Manager, MySTORE Book Industry. "The turnout and
enthusiasm for Libris shown by all in the room is
extraordinary and is a reflection of the strength
of the industry."
The Libris Awards recognize the extraordinary
professionals who deliver great books to Canadian readers. They are nominated and voted on
by members of the Canadian bookselling community, and honour the outstanding achievements made by authors and editors, sales reps and
distributors, booksellers and publishers.
Awards are presented in each of the following
categories: Author of the Year, Fiction Book of the
Year, Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Bookseller of
the Year, Specialty Bookseller of the Year, Campus Bookseller of the Year, Editor of the Year,
Sales Rep of the Year, Distributor of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Small Press Publisher of the
Year, Young Readers' Book of the Year, Childrens'
Book of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.
And, judging by the response of winners of
this year's Libris Awards, the health of the Canadian bookselling and publishing industries is
not in question.
Ted Barris, winner of the Libris Award for NonFiction for his book "The Great Escape" says that
he's never before seen the Awards gala so well
attended and was genuinely surprised and appreciative of the acknowledgement of his work.
"This is great," he says. "It's an honour and a

privilege to have been recognized
by my contemporaries within the industry like this. The reception that I
received, that all of the winners of
these awards received, speaks volumes of the pride that exists among
the creators and purveyors of Canadian literature. It's a special industry and a joy to be a part of it all."
The gala also honoured Joseph
Boyden, the golden boy of Canadian
literature, with two awards-in the
Fiction category for his latest work
"The Orenda" and for Author of the
Year. Penguin Canada earned the
nod for the Publisher category, Blue
Heron Books for Booksellers, UBC
Bookstore for Campus Bookseller,
and Kidsbooks for the Specialty
Bookseller category. And, Canadian literary icon, Stuart McLean,
known primarily for his vinyl café
series, was honoured with the Libris
Lifetime Achievement Award.
"This is a fantastic night for Canadian literature, Canadian publishing and all of the amazing booksellers, large and small, who make this
industry so dynamic," says Diane
J. Brisebois, RCC's President and
CEO. "The evening, and the excitement that filled the room is not only
a sign of the current state of the
Canadian publishing and bookselling industries, but a sign of where
the industry is going. They are a
special group of people, and Retail
Council of Canada is thrilled to be
a part of such an innovative and inspiring culture."

For more information about the Libris Awards, visit www.retailcouncil.org/events/
canadian-booksellers-libris-awards. For questions related to Canadian bookselling and
publishing, contact Lesley Fletcher, Retail Council of Canada's Manager, MySTORE Book
Industry at lfletcher@retailcouncil.org, or by phone at : (888) 373-8245, Ext. 285.

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