The winners of the Victoria Book Prizes were announced Sunday, with Lorna Crozier and Mark Leiren-Young earning top honours and $5,000 for their work.
Crozier won the 17th annual City of Victoria Butler Book Prize for her poetry collection, The House the Spirit Builds, while Leiren-Young was awarded the City of Victoria Children鈥檚 Book Prize, now in its 13th year, for Orcas Everywhere; The Mystery and History of Killer Whales. The prizes were awarded during a virtual gala Sunday evening hosted by CBC鈥檚 Gregor Craigie. The pair bested local favourites Carla Funk, Steven Price, and Sara Cassidy for the honours.
鈥淚n a year when reading and books have been a comfort to many of us, it was wonderful to gather virtually as a community and to celebrate our region鈥檚 writers,鈥� Victoria Book Prize Society president Alyssa Polinsky said in a statement.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps added: 鈥淰ictoria鈥檚 local authors bring inspiration and joy into our everyday lives, connecting us at this time when it is more challenging to be together.鈥�
For more information, visit www.victoria.ca or
