VHBC interview: Shani Mootoo

Several years ago, Blue Metropolis approached me with the idea of creating a literary award for an LGBTQ+ writer in Canada. The Montreal-based festival regularly presents awards as part of its annual programming, bringing writers to the city to speak about their work. Together, we decided to establish a prize recognizing an established author for their entire literary career. So much of our literary culture focuses on discovering the next big thing. But I’ve always been drawn to the backlist, and felt it far more meaningful to honour writers who have paved the way for so many of us, writing and publishing at a time when it wasn’t nearly as easy for queer authors.

Alternating between an anglophone and a francophone, the $5,000 Blue Metropolis Violet Literary Award has been given out eight times now. Previous winners include Nicole Brossard, Dionne Brand, André Roy, Tomson Highway, Michel Marc Bouchard, Sky Gilbert, France Daigle, and this year, Shani Mootoo.

I spoke with Shani about what it means to win this award ahead of her appearance in Montreal as part of the festival on April 25. She’s uniquely familiar with the prize, having served as a juror who selected Sky Gilbert as the winner in 2024. Shani also has a new book out this spring, Starry Starry Night, which we’re currently reading in our Toronto (April 11) and Montreal (April 19) book clubs. You can watch the interview below (for some reason, my side did not record, so you won’t see my pretty face, lol).

Also, just a reminder about tonight (Tuesday, March 31), I will be interviewing visiting authors Ellis Scott (Night Terminus) and Matthew J. Trafford (Runs in the Blood) about their wonderful new books at Pulp Books & Café (3952 Wellington) beginning at 7 PM. Hope to see you there!!