Former Packet & Times reporter Jamie Lamb's book is among 11 finalists that were announced today for the 73rd Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.
In Lamb's book, the veteran Vancouver Sun columnist shares his recollections of growing up in Leacock's Mariposa.
When the book was released in the fall, Lamb talked about how Leacock's signature book, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, made Orillia famous.
He noted Leacock's book became an international sensation, establishing Leacock as Canada’s most celebrated humourist.
Lamb's book, Christmas in Mariposa: Sketches of Canada’s Legendary Little Town, is, he said, the result of a decades-long project to create a literary work "that pays tribute to Leacock while recounting memorable episodes from his youth spent in Orillia during the last century."
Lamb's entry was among the 'long list' of 11 finalists announced today by the Board of Directors of the Stephen Leacock Associates.
Board President Michael Hill thanked the panel of judges from all across Canada and the committee of local readers for their recommendations.
The list, whittled down from 84 submissions, includes 11 books instead of the usual 10, because two books tied for last place.
The long list for the 2020 Leacock Medal is as follows (in alphabetical order by author surname):
- Sasha Chapin (All the Wrong Moves, published by McClelland & Stewart)
- Mark Crawford (The New Canadian Curling Club, published by J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing)
- Lesley Crewe (Are You Kidding Me?! published by Nimbus Publishing)
- Colleen Curran (Out for Stars published by Bandstand Island Books)
- Daniel Goodwin (The Art of Being Lewis published by Cormorant Books)
- Heidi L. M. Jacobs (Molly of the Mall: LIterary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear published by NeWest Press)
- Jamie Lamb (Christmas in Mariposa: Sketches of Canada's Legendary Little Town, published by Heritage House Publishing)
- Marios Reidel (Cafe Conversations, published by One Thousand Trees)
- Bill RIchardson (I Saw Three Ships, published by Talon Books Ltd.)
- Amy Spurway (CROW, published by Goose Lane Editions)
- Drew Hayden Taylor (Cottagers and Indians published by Talon Books Ltd.)
The coveted medal has been awarded annually since 1947 and is usually presented at a gala dinner in the first week of June. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's gala has been cancelled.
A shortlist of three finalists will be announced on Friday, May 1, 2020. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 5, 2020.
The medal and prize money will be awarded as usual, and the winner and other shortlisted authors will be invited to attend the Gala Weekend in June, 2021 when their achievements will be belatedly recognized.
For more information, please see their website at www.leacock.ca.
