K.R. Byggdin (BA鈥�22) is still wrapping their head around their big literary win.
Byggdin is the latest recipient of Atlantic Canada鈥檚 most prestigious prize for fiction, the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. Even more impressive, they won for their debut novel, Wonder World (Enfield & Wizenty, 2022).
鈥淚 was so surprised when they called my name, I had to double check the screen to make sure my picture was really there before I made my way to the podium!鈥� they recall.
At a reading and Q&A at Halifax鈥檚 Glitter Bean Caf茅 this past Monday (August 14), Byggdin spoke about the support they鈥檝e received from Atlantic Canada鈥檚 literary scene. The event was co-sponsored by Dal Libraries and the (WFNS), and Byggdin acknowledged the positive impact both institutions have had on their writing career.
鈥淭his book would not have happened without the community I found here,鈥� says Byggdin, who is originally from Manitoba. 鈥淭he workshops, the mentorship, the encouragement I鈥檝e received from other authors and professors, it鈥檚 all helped me grow tremendously as a storyteller. Being recognized by my peers in the region for writing this story feels really special.鈥�
'A virtuoso exploration'
听 follows 27-year-old Isaac Funk from his small-town Mennonite roots in Manitoba to the queer scene of Halifax and back again.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a certain glee in writing a character as bold and brash as Isaac,鈥� says Byggdin. 鈥淗is life is messy at times, he鈥檚 not perfect, but he has a big heart and I think his search for connection and belonging in his hometown is one a lot of queer people can relate to.鈥�
K.R. Byggdin. (Danny Abriel photo)
听is a $30,000 purse administered by the WFNS and awarded to the Atlantic Canadian writer whose work exemplifies a high calibre of writing, social and/or cultural merit and an original concept.
Clearly, Byggdin鈥檚 novel exceeded all requirements. 鈥淎s funny and sassy as it is poignant and observant, Wonder World is a virtuoso exploration of love and hope, a story of building bridges to family and community while staying true to oneself,鈥� reads the jury citation from the WFNS.
Recommended reading:听FASS student celebrates debut novel
The man: Thomas Head Raddall
The Raddall Award鈥檚 namesake, Thomas Head Raddall (1903 鈥� 1994), was a renowned and prolific Nova Scotia author who received the Governor General鈥檚 Award for three of his books and enjoyed both commercial and critical success during his long literary career.
After his death in 1994, Raddall鈥檚 family donated his 鈥� many heavily annotated 鈥� to 麻豆传媒 and also established a memorial fund to support the ongoing purchase of Atlantic Canadian literature.
Thomas Raddall.
Karen Smith, special collections librarian for the 麻豆传媒 Libraries, calls the Raddall Collection one of their most significant research collections.
鈥淚t documents all aspects of the long writing career of one of Atlantic Canada's most accomplished and influential writers,鈥� she says. 鈥淗is characters and his careful research notes continue to be a rich resource for historians and literature scholars here at 麻豆传媒 and beyond.鈥�
The Raddall family continues to steward their patriarch鈥檚 eponymous award 鈥� they have increased the value from $5,000 when it was established in 1991 to the $30,000 it is today 鈥� which provides writers with 鈥渢he gift of time and peace of mind鈥� according to Thomas Raddall Jr.
鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 amazing when you consider the impact this one family has had on Atlantic Canada鈥檚 literary scene,鈥� says Byggdin. 鈥淪o many writers have benefitted from this generosity and I鈥檓 very grateful to be among them.鈥�
The future: where to from here?
Come fall 2023, Byggdin will join the University of Guelph鈥檚 Creative Writing MFA program and plans to continue honing their craft.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lovely confidence boost to know this story has resonated with folks on the East Coast and that they鈥檙e eager to hear more from me,鈥� they say. 鈥淚 hope to keep writing both from and about this special place for many years to come.鈥�