What's it like to win the Governor General's literary award?

 

Reposting from November 2021, because in a few months I will go to Ottawa to receive my GG award, after a 4-year hiatus. I'll be talking about this experience in upcoming posts:

"A: On October 3rd this year, a woman in Golden, BC, woke up to a meteorite crashing through her roof and landing in bed beside her. I think that’s a perfect metaphor for winning the Governor General’s Literary Award: it’s somewhat miraculous, unforeseeable, and frankly leaves you a little shaken up.

I couldn’t be more honoured by this win for Firefly, a book very close to my heart..." 

--PD on the 49th Shelf, Dec/2021

A meteorite is right! In the interview I also talk about inspiration for FIREFLY, challenges creating the character, my litmus test for a great children's story, and what I'm reading right now.

Read the entire interview: 49th Shelf Q&A Interview with Philippa Dowding

I'm still getting used to the idea that FIREFLY won the GG award for Young People's Literature (text) this year. In the photo above, I'm pretty dazed at the news, celebrating at my publisher's office that morning, so much champagne!

But it's slowly sinking in and thank you (again) to the Canada Council. Part of the job of receiving this massive honour, I'm realizing, is to be gracious and inclusive, and to thank everyone who reaches out with congratulations, and to say yes to every invitation, but also eventually to just sit with it, to try to be worthy of it. It's so unexpected, this meteorite, that it will take time to get used to having it in the bed with me.

In the Globe and Mail, Nov/2021

There's also a terrific review on Storytime with Stephanie, thank you!

Here's the opening paragraph: "At the beginning of October, the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Forest of Reading Award nominees were announced in the same week. When a book appears on both of those lists, it’s certainly one to consider reading. Firefly by Philippa Dowding certainly lived up to its nominated status!"

It's really all about the story though, Firefly's story, not about me (thank goodness), and I couldn't be more pleased that because of the Governor General win, more kids will be reading about PTSD, homelessness, addiction and mental health. I hope that none of them live a life like Firefly's (please no!), but if they do or know someone who does, they'll also know they're not alone.

Shine bright, Firefly!

All posts on this blog about Firefly.

A visit to the costume shop, a day skiing, a guitar visitor

A few February updates for you:

AUTHOR VIRTUAL VISITS

FIREFLY went to Thunder Thighs costume shop last week, while I was getting photos for school visits together. The Corseted Lady costume shop in the book is based on Thunder Thighs, the real costume shop run by my extended family. More images to come.

If you're looking for an author virtual visit, I still have some availability!  Here is the WITS Author Visit Subsidy page. You may get a grant to invite me to talk to your class.

FOREST OF READING

Look for my Forest of Reading Red Maple presentation on February 11, 2022, available on the Ontario Library Association website that day.

WINTER WINTER WINTER

How are you getting through this interminable winter? I've had a few days skiing, bright blue sky and white winter snow just north of Toronto. Cold though. I've cross-country skied most of my life, here in Ontario, in Alberta and Quebec. If there is snow, you might as well find a way to enjoy it.

Also, I had a visitor come and hang out in my office last week (son came for a visit). I snuck a photo of him playing my Yamaha classical guitar in my messy office. Note the Vaseline lip balm for general dried out winter lips.

That helped with winter, too. 

Hope you're doing okay ... miss everyone.