Writers’ Trust: Sheung-King wins for ‘Batshit Seven’
Toronto Writers’ Trust Awards Honour Sheung-King and Martha Baillie
Sheung-King and Martha Baillie were celebrated as the big winners at the Writers’ Trust Awards ceremony in Toronto, with a strong emphasis on advocating for LGBTQ rights and peace in Gaza.
Sheung-King clinched the prestigious $60,000 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize for his novel “Batshit Seven,” which delves into the life of a detached millennial navigating the protests in Hong Kong. The jury commended the work of the writer, who goes by the pen name Aaron Tang, for its dark humor and originality.
During his acceptance speech, Sheung-King expressed his views on the current global crises, stressing the importance of writing as a tool for envisioning a better future and standing against violence and injustice. He also took the opportunity to voice his support for Palestine and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The event saw numerous speakers echoing similar sentiments, with Madeleine Thien, recipient of the $25,000 Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award, announcing her decision to donate her prize money to support various causes, including the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Toronto’s Martha Baillie was honored with the $75,000 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for her poignant family memoir “There Is No Blue,” which explores the complexities of familial relationships.
The ceremony also recognized emerging talent in the LGBTQ2S+ community, with Anthony Oliveira receiving the $12,000 prize for his queer love story “Dayspring” and using his platform to advocate for inclusivity and resistance within the publishing industry.
In addition to individual awards, several writers were acknowledged for their significant contributions to Canadian literature, including playwright Marie Clements, Sara O’Leary, and Rita Wong.
The Writers’ Trust Awards ceremony followed the Giller gala, where Anne Michaels was awarded the $100,000 prize for her novel “Held.” The event was not without controversy, as protests outside the gala highlighted concerns over corporate sponsors with ties to Israel.
While the Writers’ Trust Awards have not faced similar scrutiny, the issue of corporate sponsorship and ethical considerations within the arts community remains a topic of discussion.
The evening concluded with a showcase of talent and a celebration of the diverse voices shaping the Canadian literary landscape.
This recap of the Writers’ Trust Awards was created for a WordPress platform, drawing inspiration from a report by The Canadian Press published on November 19, 2024.
