Nova Scotia Book Awards

Nova Scotian books took centre stage at the inaugural Nova Scotia Book Awards ceremony, held Monday night (June 6) at Halifax City Hall.

“Everyone looks so nice!” said Lindsay Ruck, the evening’s emcee, as she surveyed the packed room of mask-wearing attendees.

The event started with the presentation of the Margaret and John Savage First Book Awards for Nonfiction and Fiction. Named for his parents, the first book awards were introduced by Mayor Mike Savage, who bemoaned that while growing up the seven Savage kids received books at Easter instead of chocolate like other kids in the neighborhood. “Books in our house were a big deal,” he said.

Joanne Gallant received Margaret and John Savage First Book Awards for Nonfiction for her memoir about miscarriage and motherhood, A Womb in the Shape of a Heart, while Colin Sweets Arsenault claimed the debut fiction award for his novel, Short Mercy. The win started off a busy week for Sweets Arsenault; he’s getting married on Saturday.

The new event introduced a new award: the George Borden Writing for Change Award. Previously the Dartmouth Book Award for Nonfiction, this award is for an outstanding nonfiction book by a Nova Scotian author that inspires others and challenges the status quo. It is named for the late George Borden (1935–2020). The first winner of the George Borden Writing for Change Award is Glen Canning for My Daughter Rehtaeh Parsons. “It has a special meaning to me to know a tragic story can inspire others to take a stand against injustice and commit to making our communities a safer place for us all,” said Canning.

Sharon Robart-Johnson received the Robbie Robertson Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction for her meticulously researched novel Jude and Diana, inspired by the true story of an enslaved teenager’s murder in 19th century Nova Scotia. A delighted Robart-Johnson said she submitted her manuscript three times before it was accepted and so couldn’t believe she was even nominated when she first got the news. “When I got the email, I forwarded it to my editor to ask if it was real,” she said. “This means the world to me.”

Veteran journalist Stephen Kimber took home the Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction Award for his biography of Alexa McDonough, Alexa! Changing the Face of Canadian Politics. Jury remarks praised Kimber’s storytelling in presenting “the remarkable journey of a legend.”