This is the second year running for the “Prairie Grindstone Prize” - a literary prize aimed at acknowledging the inspiring work of a professionally published prairie writer of fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
This annual prize, funded by an anonymous donor committee, is awarded every two years. This year, it is awarded to an engaged Saskatchewan writer and will be awarded in alternate years to an Alberta writer. Last year, Alberta writer Wendy McGrath was the inaugural winner.
“It’s been an exciting first year reacquainting ourselves with Edmonton bookstores, seeing the prairies through Wendy McGrath’s writing, learning of her research trips, and seeing old Edmonton reading series resurrect. You never know the impact of this prize, but it’s thrilling to be a spectator”, says Lisa Murphy Lamb, Jury Chair for the prize.
Each year, the winner will receive a cash award of $50,000 that will enable the writer to focus on his/her/their work for a year or more. The Prairie Grindstone Prize recognizes active writers with the hope that a year of freedom from financial constraints will be beneficial to their careers.
“Pursuing and maintaining a writing career can be incredibly challenging. In the arts industry, it is common for writers to have a ‘day’ job as well to make ends meet”, according to Stacey Walyuchow, Marketing, and Design for the Prize. “While money is not the sole motivation for writers, this prize will provide the opportunity to dedicate more time and energy to focus on their writing and have the chance to share their work with others.”
The writer must be a resident of the province of Saskatchewan for the past five years, must have a minimum of four professionally published books, and must be an active member of the local writing community. Recipients will be selected by a jury of peers.
Writers may NOT self-nominate. Members of the writing and reading community are encouraged to nominate a deserving Saskatchewan writer for The Prairie Grindstone Prize in the form of a one-page letter stating why they feel the writer deserves the $50,000 prize. The deadline to receive letters is on April 15th, 2024 at midnight. Please include the contact phone number for the nominated writer. To submit your letter of nomination or if you have questions, please email us at grindstoneprize@gmail.com or follow the link to: https://www.prairiegrindstoneprize.ca/
