SPOTLIGHT: Windsor publisher Biblioasis celebrates Giller Prize nomination
Here the Dark, written by David Bergen and published by Biblioasis (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
Local publisher Biblioasis has brought Windsor some light for the chilly nights ahead.
David Bergen’s short story collection Here the Dark, published by the Windsor press Biblioasis, is a shortlist finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
“We’re thrilled more readers may discover shorter forms as a result of this nomination,” said publisher Dan Wells in a statement.
The Giller Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in Canada, and Bergen is no stranger to it. His book the Time in Between won the prize in 2005 and he made the shortlist in 2010 with the Matter with Morris.
Biblioasis collaborated with McClelland & Stewart and Véhicule Press to celebrate Here the Dark’s nomination with a virtual event.
Called the Art of the Short Story, it featured readings by David Bergen, longlist author Kaie Kellough (Dominoes at the Crossroads, Véhicule Press) and shortlist author Souvankham Thammavongsa (How to Pronounce Knife, McClelland & Stewart).
“The past couple years, the Giller Prize has had more short story collections,” said Michaela Stephen, publicity at Biblioasis. “We thought it would be a great idea to pair up with the other collections.”
Viewers tuned in online from across Canada to hear the authors talk about the first moments they knew they wanted to write, the unique benefits of short stories and even whether a collection should be read helter-skelter or from beginning to end.
Bergen began with how he started writing. “I was 21. All my friends were in university, but I was driving a feed truck. I had to wait for the feed to unload, so I would write these stories that were really bad,” he smiled.
The Biblioasis bookstore on Wyandotte St. E (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
By the time Biblioasis received Here the Dark, Bergen had published nine novels and one short story collection, said Stephen. The work was a shoo-in.
“The book is very poignant and sharp. Each story looks at characters who are struggling with decisions in their lives, their relationships and their sexualities,” she explained.
Here the Dark is named after a novella in the collection. “It’s my favourite piece,” Stephen said. “It’s about a woman who’s grown up in a Mennonite community and has to struggle with whether to leave or stay.”
Kaie Kellough noted that what makes a good book is whether it stays with you. “The great thing about a piece of writing is that you can carry it in your head, and that can heighten the anticipation to reread,” he said.
As for Here the Dark, said Stephen, “It really resonated with me.”
The winner of the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize will be announced Mon., Nov. 9. In the meantime, the Art of the Short Story can be seen on the Biblioasis website.
