2024 Victoria Book Prize Winners are Kathryn Mockler and Raina Delisle

The City of Victoria and the Victoria Book Prize Society are pleased to announce and celebrate local authors Kathryn Mockler and Raina Delisle as the 2024 recipients of the Victoria Book Prizes.

The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize was awarded to Kathryn Mockler for her work of fiction Anecdotes (Book*Hug Press) and the City of Victoria Children's Book Prize was awarded to Raina Delisle for her work of non-fiction Breaking News, Why Media Matters (Orca Book Publishers). Each author receives $5,000 as part of their award.

Mayor Marianne Alto and co-sponsor Brian Butler announced the winners at the annual Victoria Book Prizes Gala on October 16. The gala was emceed by CBC's Kathryn Marlow at the Union Club of British Columbia and began with a traditional welcome from Coast Salish artist and storyteller Brianna Bear.

"It's an honor to celebrate these two talented Victoria storytellers and their exceptional literary achievements," said Mayor Marianne Alto. "Their work not only enriches our community but also underscores the profound impact that writing can have in shaping our collective understanding and inspiring positive change beyond our local boundaries."

Kathryn Mockler is the author of five poetry books as well as the story collection Anecdotes. She co-edited the print anthology Watch Your Head: Writers and Artists Respond to the Climate Crisis (2020) and runs the literary newsletter Send My Love to Anyone. She teaches screenwriting and fiction in the Writing Department at the University of Victoria.

With dreamlike stories and dark humour, Anecdotes is a hybrid collection in four parts examining the pressing realities of sexual violence, abuse and environmental collapse.

"Both winners of this year's City of Victoria book prizes demonstrate an acute awareness of the society we inhabit and the need for individual engagement," said Lynne Van Luven, president of the Victoria Book Prize Society. "Kathleen Mockler's stories in Anecdotes address feminism and difference. Raina Delisle's Breaking News gives young readers a vital education about the challenges of today's media."

Raina Delisle is an award-winning writer whose work has been featured in Today's Parent, Chatelaine, CBC and the Globe and Mail, among many other publications. She has worked in journalism and government communications, giving her a unique perspective on the media industry. Her first book, Fashion Forward: Striving for Sustainable Style, was published in 2022.

Breaking News: Why Media Matters helps kids become critical news consumers and teaches them how to tell fact from fiction. It explores the history of the media industry, the important role of news today and the challenges it faces.

Established in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies. The City of Victoria Children's Book Prize recognizes and celebrates exceptional literature for children and young adults.

We gratefully acknowledge the continuing support of our sponsors: the Union Club of British Columbia, Friesens Corporation, Munro's Books, Russell Books, CBC Radio, the Greater Victoria Public Library, Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites, and Magnolia Hotel and Spa.

The Victoria Book Prize Society establishes the policy and criteria for the prizes, appoints the juries and administers the competitions.

For more information, visit victoriabookprizes.ca.

Media Contacts:
Lynne Van Luven, President
Victoria Book Prize Society
778.677.1093 | [email protected]

Colleen Mycroft
Manager of Intergovernmental and Media Relations
City of Victoria
250.896.5325 | [email protected]