Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sawyer one of "The CanLit 30"


To my astonishment and delight, Quill & Quire, the Canadian publishing trade journal, has just released (as the cover story in its March 2008 issue) its first-ever list of "The CanLit 30: The most influential, innovative, and just plain powerful people in Canadian publishing." On the list: Robert J. Sawyer.

The unnumbered list takes ten pages in the magazine. I share a page with Geoffrey Taylor, the artistic director of the International Festival of Authors at Harbourfront and with powerhouse literary agents Michael Levine and Jackie Kaiser, of Westwood Creative Artists.

The write-up about me says, "When Penguin Canada snatched up domestic rights to science fiction giant Robert J. Sawyer last year, it felt like the Canuck industry was finally waking up to an entire genre. Not that Sawyer really needed the nod: he already sells more than respectably and has a shelf full of major sci-fi prizes. As a generous mentor to other writers, the proprietor of his own eponymous imprint at Red Deer Press, and a frequent media pundit, Sawyer is the public face of Canadian sci-fi."

Only three authors made the list: Margaret Atwood, Douglas Coupland, and Robert J. Sawyer.

Others on the list include Heather Reisman, CEO of bookstore chain Chapters/Indigo; Martin Levin, book-review editor for The Globe and Mail; and David Kent, president of HarperCollins Canada.

I am thrilled, honoured, and very pleased.

The Robert J. Sawyer Web Site


8 Comments:

At February 20, 2008 5:28 PM , Blogger Gruntled said...

Much deserved! It's nice to see Sci-Fi get some respect as well. Thanks for that.

 
At February 20, 2008 5:33 PM , Blogger Ann said...

Awesome Robert! Congratulations.

 
At February 20, 2008 5:36 PM , Blogger Costi said...

Wow! Congratulations! You really deserve it! What did I tell you.

 
At February 20, 2008 7:12 PM , Blogger Drakkenfyre said...

You absolutely are. It's nice to see that all your hard work and dedication behind the scenes is being recognized.

I've never known anyone who works as hard for struggling authors as you do.

 
At February 20, 2008 9:35 PM , Blogger John said...

Someone in the literary establishment is taking you (and SF) seriously. About time too.

My fondest daydream is to hear a celebrity panelist defending one of you books on Canada Reads. It has to happen sooner or later.

 
At February 21, 2008 8:53 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kudos

This is a victory for you and SF.

 
At February 21, 2008 9:49 AM , Anonymous Annie said...

......They could have just asked me! Love your enthusiasm AND creativity.

 
At February 27, 2008 12:48 PM , OpenID lou-sytsma said...

A great and extremely well-deserved honour! Congratulations Rob.

 

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