Robert J. Sawyer is one of only seven writers in history — and the only Canadian — to win all three of the world’s top science fiction awards for best novel of the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.
He has been called “the dean of Canadian science fiction” by The Ottawa Citizen and “just about the best science-fiction writer out there these days” by The Denver Rocky Mountain News.
Maclean’s: Canada’s Weekly Newsmagazine says, “By any reckoning, Sawyer is among the most successful Canadian authors ever.”
His bestselling Neanderthal Parallax trilogy explores a version of Earth in which Neanderthals survived to the present and we did not — and a portal that opens up bridging our world with theirs.
For his next venture, Sawyer signed a six-figure deal jointly with Ace Science Fiction (a division of Penguin USA) and Penguin Canada for a new trilogy about the World Wide Web gaining consciousness.
The three volumes have the working titles of Wake, Watch, and Wonder, and collectively will be known as the WWW trilogy.
On June 2, Sawyer received an honorary doctorate from Laurentian University in recognition of his international success as a science fiction writer. Sawyer also gave the convocation address that day.
He was born in Ottawa in 1960, and now lives just west of Toronto with his wife, poet Carolyn Clink.
Join him for a reading at the Whitehorse Public Library on September 27 at 7:30 p.m. Free refreshments included!
Calling all moose!
Enjoy stories, music, rhymes and crafts at Whitehorse Public Library’s weekly storytime for kids Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. right through the summer. The leaves are falling and the moose are calling over the next two weeks of storytime!
Storytime is geared to 3 to 6 year olds accompanied by an adult. Just drop in. For more information call 667-5239.
In Yukon communities, please call your local library for information about programs for children during the summer.
Write a review,
win a prize
The website is up and running at www.teensrc.ca! Join the online teen summer reading club for youth across Canada — and it’s being extended into the winter!
Yukon is participating for the first time this year. Join in and you could win some great prizes!
It’s all about reading a book you really enjoy — or not — and then writing a review of it that will be posted on the teensrc website for all to share.
Ever wanted to tell everyone what you really think of Harry Potter? Or let everyone know about a seldom-read gem you stumbled upon?
Well here’s your chance if you’re between 13 and 18 years old. Check the website to find out what to do.
There will be weekly draws for stunning prizes. Thanks to Titan Gaming and Collectibles, Well Read Books, Mac’s Fireweed Bookstore, the Chocolate Claim and Erik’s Audiotronic for their contributions.
And the grand prize … need a new MP3 player? Enter and it could be yours!
Books on the air
Listen for local reviews of new (and old, but fascinating) books to be found at Yukon public libraries every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on CBC Yukon.
This column is prepared by Yukon public libraries, department of Community Services.