By Crystal Clavet
When Alan Cumyn launched his seventh novel The Famished Lover Sept. 20, he already had something to brag about. The Ottawa author was named to the long list for the 2006 Scotiabank Giller Prize Sept. 11 for his story about Ramsay Crome, a painter and former POW, in Depression-era Montreal.
Cumyn says it’s an honour to have his work recognized, especially one that hadn’t yet been released.
“It’s a tremendous recommendation,” he says. “It means a lot more people will take the books more seriously.”
The Scotiabank Giller Prize is awarded annually to the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English. It was founded by Toronto businessman Jack Robinovitch in 1994 in honour of his late wife, journalist Doris Giller. A three-person panel chooses the list of nominees and eventually the winner.
Cumyn, 46, credits this year’s panel with the recent attention. The panel consists of former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and authors Alice Munro and Michael Winter.
The panel chose the first-ever long list of 15 books from a possible 101 titles.
Cumyn says awards like the Giller help readers choose books and raise the profile of authors.
“When you have 100 books coming out in a year or more it helps to draw attention to a few,” he says. “None of us really agree. Someone has to choose.”
Cumyn made the Giller shortlist in 2000 for his book Burridge Underground, which won the Ottawa Book Award. He recently adapted the book a screenplay.
His last novel, The Sojourn – the prequel to The Famished Lover – was short-listed for the Governor-General’s Award, and was named one of the best books of 2003 by the Globe and Mail, The Vancouver Sun, Maclean’s and Quill & Quire.
Cumyn says that these awards raise the profile for Ottawa authors and Ottawa artistic culture.
“The reputation is that Ottawa is a civil service town, but there is tremendous artistic talent here,” he says.
“I know people that work in the civil service then go home and sing in the choir. I’m a big booster for Ottawa’s art scene.”
Cumyn is very busy these days. He’s hosting book readings, doing signings, and conducting workshops. And that’s on top of his duties as new writer-in-residence at the University of Ottawa.
As writer-in-residence, part of Cumyn’s job is to mentor local writers.
The honorary position means Cumyn spends most of his time writing, but he also meets with students two days a week to help them with their technique.
David Rampton, chair of the university’s English department, says Cumyn is an asset to the department. Following in the footsteps of Carol Shields, Jane Urquhart, and most recently, Gary Geddes, Cumyn serves as an editor, advisor and guest lecturer at the university.
In an e-mail interview, Rampton says Cumyn maintains a busy schedule on behalf of the department, and he expects it to get busier because of the author’s Giller nomination.
“The publicity surrounding his nomination for the Giller award will help us spread the word about his being on campus and help the university and the larger community make the best possible use of his services,” Rampton says.
Working with the students and inspiring them has become vital to Cumyn’s career. He says he enjoys encouraging others to write well, because there are so many great writers in Ottawa.
Aspiring writer, Kathy Wilson, attended Cumyn’s book launch Sept. 20 for just that reason.
After taking a one day workshop with Cumyn, Wilson says she became inspired by him.
“Part of the main drive is that he’s done it,” she says. “He’s from the Ottawa area and he’s been published. He’s very descriptive, and he’s a great storyteller.”
Cumyn will see if his gift for storytelling pays off in the months to come. The short list for the Giller Prize will be announced Oct. 3. The winning author will receive $40,000 when the award is presented Nov. 7.