Finalists for the 2023 Victoria Book Prizes were feted Wednesday night, with Pauline Holdstock and Julie McLaughlin emerging triumphant during a gala at the Union Club of British Columbia.
Holdstock won the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize for Confessions with Keith, while McLaughlin took home the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize for Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World. Both were awarded $5,000 for having the best books in their respective categories published between April 2022 and March 2023.
A combined eight titles were in contention during the 20th installment of the Victoria Book Prizes. The event is a co-production between the Victoria Book Prize Society and the City of Victoria.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize outstanding literary achievement,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto. “I’d like to thank both recipients for sharing their creative talents within our community and enriching our artistic landscape. We are truly fortunate to have such remarkable storytellers in Victoria.”