A soirée for the public

Meeting the 2025 BC and Yukon Book Prize finalists
by Trevor Marc Hughes

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As the shadows lengthened east on Broadway and Ash in Vancouver, it was time once again for a late spring soirée for the public to come in and meet the 2025 finalists of the BC and Yukon Book Prizes.

About thirty-five folks milled around two book tables that had been transformed to platforms for food trays. Attendees, both authors and members of the public alike, scanned the titles on the shelves, Canadian authors highlighted with signage. And of course many chatted around the table of honour that displayed copies the finalists’ books. As I was admiring the covers, I turned to find Shashi Bhat tapping me on the shoulder. I had interviewed her for the BC Review Interview Series, and, after congratulating her on being a finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, asked if she was continuing to take part in writing groups. She told me her group in New Westminster was taking a breather, but she was active in a gathering of writers taking place in Vancouver. I asked if I could take a photo of her by the table of honour, and she grabbed Cynthia LeBrun to ensure she was not the sole subject of the photo. Afterwards, I spoke with her.

Cynthia LeBrun had come to Vancouver all the way from Prince George for the evening’s event. We struck up a conversation about literary agents and writing. She told me Black Sunflowers, a finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, had occupied her for over two decades, and as a first book, had certainly gathered a great deal of attention. We spoke about writing fiction and non-fiction, and how her novel, which is based upon a real-life story, blurs the lines. She’s working on another book, she tells me, and will have a similar approach to this project.

With the telltale tinkling of spoon on wine glass, it was time for the gathering to turn all eyes to the MC, Interim Executive Director of the BC and Yukon Book Prizes, Megan Cole. She had taken on the role from Sharon Bradley, and had travelled from Powell River to take part this evening’s gathering. After welcoming all those in attendance, and offering a land acknowledgment, she congratulated those authors who had been named finalists for the upcoming 2025 prizes, but also thanked publishers and service providers that allowed for the publishing industry in British Columbia to flourish, as well as expressing her appreciation to Book Warehouse for keeping their doors open once again on a beautiful May evening for the public event.

After a round of applause from all in attendance, conversation continued over drinks. I asked Mary-Ann Yazedjian, who for a long time managed the Main Street location of Book Warehouse, but currently is Special Projects Manager for Book Warehouse and Black Bond Books, about the evening’s proceedings and how the ‘Elbow’s Up’ movement has affected book sales. She tells me of how Canadian book sales have increased, and how Black Bond Books has gone to lengths to highlight Canadian, and regional BC authors. In many ways, as the host of the public soirée for the book prizes for several years now, the bookstore didn’t need to feel part of a trend: they had been supporting BC books all along.

The finalists for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes for 2025 can found here.

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Trevor Marc Hughes is the author of Capturing the Summit: Hamilton Mack Laing and the Mount Logan Expedition of 1925. His newest book is The Final Spire: ‘Mystery Mountain’ Mania in the 1930s. A former arts reporter at CBC Radio, he is currently the non-fiction editor for The British Columbia Review and recently reviewed books by Richard Butler, Wade Davis, David Bird (ed.), Ian Kennedy, John Vaillant, and Peter Rowlands. He recently wrote an editorial on the subject of historic British Columbia publisher New Star Books winding down.

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The British Columbia Review

Interim Editors, 2023-26: Trevor Marc Hughes (non-fiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction)
Publisher: Richard Mackie

Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an on-line book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.

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