Somewhere in BC or Yukon right now, there’s a kid who has never met a published author. Never sat in a room with someone who grew up in a place like theirs and turned that experience into a book. Never thought, maybe I could do that too.
That’s exactly the moment we exist to create.
For the next two weeks — June 15 to June 29 — we’re working to raise $29,500 to match a generous grant we’ve received from BC Gaming. This community fundraising goal isn’t being matched dollar-for-dollar by BC Gaming, instead, reaching it means we’ll have raised the full amount needed to equal the grant and make the most of this funding opportunity. With other grant funding no longer available to us, these dollars are more important than ever in keeping our programs running.
What your gift makes happen
Last year, we sent 12 authors and illustrators into schools across BC for more than 80 presentations to students from kindergarten to Grade 12. We awarded eight book prizes and two author prizes, putting $28,000 directly into the hands of BC and Yukon writers, illustrators, and publishers.
This year, we want to reach 80 classrooms. Especially the rural and remote ones, where a visit from a working author isn’t just exciting — it’s rare.
“One of my favorite things about being nominated for the BC Book Prizes has been the tours I’ve had the opportunity to take part in. I’ve visited communities from Prince Rupert to Dawson Creek to Revelstoke, presented in dozens of schools, and spoken with hundreds of children. Some have even stayed in touch and sent me their own stories to read! These tours have been one of the highlights of my writing life,” said Robin Stevenson, BC and Yukon Book Prize winner, and recipient of the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence.
Two weeks to make your gift count
A gift of $50 helps us reach our goal. A gift of $250 brings us even closer.
When you give to the BC and Yukon Book Prizes, you’re not just supporting an awards ceremony. You’re keeping homegrown stories visible. You’re putting a writer on a bus to a town that rarely gets that kind of visit. You’re telling a kid in a rural classroom that stories from here — from their corner of the world — are worth celebrating.