Dodos, Dragons, & Maps

They say not to rest on your laurels, but since Tyler was awarded the Journey Prize 2014 for his story 'Sealskin' last month, we at his publicity team feel he has been doing just that, as we haven't had much to blog or write about.  When bringing him his coffee, or a new notepad (he pays us, but definitely gets his money's worth) we often find him sitting at the window of his writing room, gazing vacantly at the landscape of the Brecon Beacons, with a fond and reminiscent smile on his face.  We are of the opinion that he is replaying the awards ceremony in his mind at these moments, but when asked about this he always wheels himself back to his desk, Professor X style, and claims he was thinking up a line for his latest story (the screen is always blank).

In any event, just to prove to us that he is not, in fact, merely dwelling on past glory, Tyler has had two recent short story publications we thought worth mentioning.  The first is a contribution to a joint Welsh and Mauritian antholgoy, entitled When young Dragons Meet Young Dodos, edited by Alan Perry, Sachita Samboo, and Barlen Pyamootoo, and featuring a variety of authors aged 35 and under. 

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Second is a piece in the Literary Map of Wales anthology, edited by John Lavin; the book collects the series of tales John commissioned from various authors across Wales.  Each takes place in a different area of the country, and Tyler's story, 'Fabrications,' is set a 'fabricated' version of the town Llanidloes, where he used to hang his hat.  The piece was first published in Wales Arts Review and can be read in its entirety here.

'Sealskin' Wins The Journey Prize 2014

Tyler is in Toronto till the end of the week, but we at his publicity team have been urging him to send us some kind of commentary or thoughts on his big news.  For those just checking in, last night at Toronto's Glenn Gould Studio Tyler was announced as the winner of The 2014 Journey Prize, awarded annually to the best Canadian short story by an emerging writer of distinction.  Tonight Tyler is crashing at the Rex Hotel & Jazz Bar, from where he sent us this missive…

"It’s been an amazing experience, from start to finish.  I came over to Toronto not knowing a single person in the Canadian publishing scene, but everybody here has been incredibly warm and welcoming.  The Writers’ Trust put on a dinner for the nominees the night before the ceremony, so people got to know each other.  And the ceremony itself had a brilliant atmosphere – exciting but not tense or competitive.  It’s been wonderful to meet the other nominees for the various awards: fellow Journey Prize finalists Clea Young and Lori McNulty; Cary Fagan, who won the Vicky Metcalfe award for Children’s Literature; and Miriam Toews, winner of the Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, who is an inspiring person, a breathtaking writer, and a new hero of mine.  As for winning The Journey Prize, I’d convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen, so the announcement came as a total surprise.  I didn't really have an acceptance speech prepared – it was pretty much impromptu – but the crowd was with me, laughing and supportive.  I said it on the night, and I’ll say it again now: I read the Journey Prize Anthology of nominated stories on the flight over, and the quality of the work is just so impressive.  My fellow finalists were equally deserving, and could easily have won, and the wide range of stories on the longlist demonstrate the depth and versatility of short fiction writing in Canada.  I’m grateful and humbled to be part of that, to be contributing to that ongoing tradition.  As I mentioned to the Quill and Quire, several past Journey Prize nominees have been big influences on my writing – people like Steven Heighton, and Murray Logan, my old teacher at UBC – and I never imagined, I never dared dream, I would be in that company."

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The Journey Prize Shortlist

As you can imagine, things have been buzzing lately here at the headquarters of Team Tyler.  Normally our office life is similar to the secretary's in the first half of Ghostbusters, before they get any clients: quiet, mellow, and not particularly exciting.  That began to change when Tyler's story 'Sealskin' was nominated for the Journey Prize last month.  We saw a spike in web searches and site traffic and - oddly enough - we even sold a few more charity T-shirts.  Then came the news that the story had made the Journey Prize shortlist, making Tyler one of three finalists.  Now we at his publicity team are really earning our keep: screening calls, fielding inquiries, booking Tyler's travel arrangements for his trip to the awards ceremony in Toronto.  Plus we had to buy him clothes.  Tyler is a terrible dresser.  But Jim - Jim is our fashion advisor - dealt with it.  Jim took Tyler shopping.  Jim feels Tyler should be ready, come next week, to attend the ceremony on November 4th, when the overall winner will be announced.  As for Tyler, he seems calm and fairly philosophical about the whole thing.  He is grateful for the nomination, and the recognition.  He is looking forward to meeting the other authors, particularly Miriam Toews, who he has collaborated with in an e-conversation for the National Post.  But is he hopeful, or anxious?   We asked him that.  We were curious ourselves.  He said he's just happy to be in contention, and among such esteemed company.  The rest - as editor and poet Kathryn Gray once told him - is just gravy.