Laurel Deedrick-Mayne was born and raised in Lacombe, Alberta but has spent her adult life as a city dweller and now makes Edmonton her home. Once an arts administrator (dance publicist, concert promoter and ad copywriter) Laurel has become a juggler: raising a family, managing her private massage therapy practice, serving on multiple arts boards … and writing. This book is a tribute to the generation of her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who took the time to hang on to family letters, clippings, stories, and poetry — all those treasures that inspired this story. A Wake For The Dreamland is Laurel’s first novel.
Finalists for 2018 Whistler Independent Book Awards
Our congratulations to the authors who have been selected as finalists for the 2018 Whistler Independent Book Awards.
The fiction finalists are:
T.G. Brown for Harvest (A Josh Ingram Novel)
Laurel Deedrick-Mayne for A Wake for the Dreamland
Emma L.R. Hogg for Winona Rising
Mike Sadava for The Project
The non-fiction finalists are:
Mark Cote for That Lucky Old Son
Louise Szabo, Barbara Brown, Jan Jacobson & Wendy Quarry for
Travel Dreams and Nightmares – Four Women Explore the World
Toko-pa Turner for Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home
The winner in each category will be jointly selected by two judges, both accomplished authors. Judging the fiction category are Gail Anderson-Dargatz and Darcie Friesen Hossack. The non-fiction selection will be made by J.J. Lee and Susan Oakey-Baker.
Finalists were selected by representatives of Vivalogue Author Services and members of the Canadian Authors Association (Metro Vancouver)
The judges were impressed with both the quality and variety of submissions received from across the country. Particularly stiff competition in the fiction category led to the nomination of four titles, a first for the awards.
Winners will be announced at the 17th Whistler Writers Festival, 11-14 October.
2016 ALBERTA READERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNER
A Wake for the Dreamland
by Laurel Deedrick-Mayne
Published by FriesenPress
This is the story of the little book that could. When I was unable to find a publisher who would take a chance on my debut novel, I independently published A Wake For The Dreamland.
I never dreamed this story would touch readers so deeply. I never dreamed this story would resonate across generations and across borders. When a reader asked if they could nominate it for Edmonton Public Library’s Alberta Readers Choice Award, I never dreamed the book would be long listed, let alone shortlisted. Will Ferguson, Tracey Lindberg, Mark Spector and Shawna Lemay have written great books with traditional publishers. I never dreamed I would hear my name announced as the winner.
I am grateful for all the support of readers who spread the word and cast their vote and Edmonton Public Library for sponsoring the award.
Watch Laurel’s CTV Interview with Shawna Randolph (here)
