BC Book Prize Soiree introduces 2005 nominated authors + lots of prizes

Lots of authors, publishers, librarians and members of BC's literary
community showed up at Crush Champagne Lounge at Vancouver's Granville
Street on Saturday Night.  Host John Burns, book editor for the
Georgia Straight did a great job introducing the many writers nominated for BC Book Prizes and
giving away the evening's prizes.

The Crush Lounge was a nice informal setting that allowed people to
move easily – always within viewpoint of the stage.  The event was
free and attracted a good sized crowd, many of whom hung around the
silent auction table putting in their bids for the many goodies
available, including magazine subscriptions, hotel stays, writing
programs, books, etc.  I got outbid on the bottle of Glenmoragie
scotch, but managed to take home the dinner gift certificate for
WaaZuBee Cafe.

It was great to talk with friends and writers such as Shamina
Senaratne, Angela Leung, Charlie Cho, as well as Ray and Mary from
People's Co-op Books.  And always good to attend a well run event
by Liesl Jauk and Brian Pike,
the dynamic duo of Rebus Creative behind
the BC Book Prizes  and Word on the Street.  I had good chats
with John Burns, Douglas Durand (City of Vancouver Cultural Planner), Richmond Librarian Shirley?, Greenpeace author Rex Weyler, and author publisher Tom Snyders.

Here are some pictures from the event:

John Burns hosting the BC Book Prizes Soiree, giving away the final prize.

Rex Weyler, author of Greenpeace: How a Group of
Journalists, Ecologists and Visionaries Changed the World nominated
for a BC Book Prize for non-fiction, with his mother Joanne Weyler,
wife Lisa Gibbons and business partner Sindy Taylor – photo by Todd Wong

Liesl Jauk and Brian Pike, the dynamic princiapl duo of Rebus Creative
– the organizers of the BC Book Prizes, with friend Kevin Hutchings. – photo by Todd Wong

A happy gang at the BC Book Prize Soiree, photographer Philip Chin, Charlie Cho (CBC Radio),
John Burns (Georgia Straight), Lynn Henry (Raincoast Books), Kelly
Morrison (Rebus Creative/BC Book Prizes) – photo by Todd Wong