Shane Joseph wins "Futuristic / Fantasy Novel Winner 2010"
June 17th 2010
COBOURG WRITER SHANE JOSEPH’S NOVEL AFTER THE FLOOD WINS NATIONAL AWARD
Cobourg – Shane Joseph’s “dystopian novel of hope” After the Flood won in the Futuristic/Fantasy category at The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards on June 16th 2010 in Mississauga, Ontario.
Joseph, a graduate of the Humber School for Writers, has two other published books: Redemption in Paradise (2004) and Fringe Dwellers (2008). His short fiction has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies in Canada, India, Sri Lanka and the USA. His blog at www.shanejoseph.com is widely syndicated.
Joseph’s novel portrays a dramatically altered North America in the aftermath of a giant flood, which is forecast to take place in 2012. His focus is on how mankind regroups to build a better world but remains hobbled by an ingrained trait – desire. Critics have described the book as Noah’s Ark meets Samson & Delilah at Camelot in the Brave New World.
The Word Guild black-tie Awards Gala was held at World Vision's headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, to which the public was invited. The Gala is the premier event honouring the work of Canadian writers who are Christian. It was hosted by Herbie Kuhn, popular speaker and in-house announcer for the Toronto Raptors basketball team.
The contest received a record number of 245 entries from writers in eight provinces. The 34 award categories include non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, poems and song lyrics.
“I am grateful to The Word Guild for honouring me with this award,” Joseph said. “Writers are supposed to get their reward only in heaven, but it is nice to get small doses of it on earth, occasionally.”
The Word Guild, the organization that sponsors the awards, consists of more than 340 writers and editors across Canada who write from a Christian perspective and publish work in a variety of genres. The Word Guild also sponsors Canada's largest Christian writers' conference, Write! Canada (www.writecanada.org). After the Gala, 250 writers, editors, agents and publishers will meet in Guelph, Ont. from June 17 to 19 for professional development, networking and marketing opportunities.
To see the complete shortlist of finalists, or to obtain more information about the Gala or The Word Guild, visit www.thewordguild.com and www.canadianchristianwritingawards.com |
