The jacket of Susan Haley’s novel Petitot – because it was based on the story of a real-life Catholic missionary in northern Canada – used a sketch made by the real-life Petitot and transformed his actual signature into the title.
Each year the Alcuin Society turns an old phrase on its head, judging books solely by their covers for the annual Excellence in Book Design in Canada competition. This year the society recognized 37 winning titles from 232 entries, from eight provinces and 107 publishers. Among the winners was Gaspereau Press‘s own co-publisher, co-founder and designer Andrew Steeves with 5 prizes.
In the poetry category, Steeves took home first prize for The Deer Yard by Allan Cooper & Harry Thurston, and third prize for Ocean by Sue Goyette. In the prose fiction category, he won both second prize for Petitot by Susan Haley, and third prize (in a tie) Someone Somewhere by Dana Mills. His seconding first prize award was in the prose non-fiction category, for Jeremiah Bancroft at Fort Beauséjour & Grand-Pré by Jonathan Fowler & Earle Lockerby.
The Alcuin Society, founded in 1965, promotes fine Canadian book design through regular events featuring world-renowned design, typography and publishing experts; publications; and annual awards for innovative books and designers. The Excellence in Book Design in Canada competition is the only national book design competition in the country.
You can learn more about the society and see the full list of winners on the society’s website. Read read a longer article about Steeves’ wins and his craft on The Coast’s website or visit Gaspereau’s blog for a post by Steeeves on the Society’s choices.
