Poets Tess Liem, Klara du Plessis, Stevie Howell, and Andrea Thompson have won 2019 Book Awards, The League of Canadian Poets announced at a ceremony in St. John’s on June 8. Each winner receives $2,000. The longlist was previously announced on April 1, followed by the shortlist on April 23.

The Gerald Lampert Memorial Award for a debut book of poetry was presented to Tess Liem for Obits. (Coach House Books). The jury – comprised of Adebe DeRango-Adem, Amanda Earl, and Jacob McArthur Mooney – said in a citation, “It contains one of the most complete treatments of depression in Canadian poetry and an expansive, challenging, new approach to the idea of mourning.”

The Pat Lowther Memorial Award for a book of poetry by a Canadian woman was presented to Klara du Plessis for Ekke (Palimpsest Press). The jury – comprised of Robert Colman, Brenda Leifso, and Shane Neilson – described the collection as “both politically conscious and aesthetically beautiful.”

The Raymond Souster Award for a book of poetry by a member of the League of Canadian Poets was presented to Stevie Howell for I left nothing inside on purpose (McClelland & Stewart). The jury – comprised of Kathy Mac, Maurice Mierau, and Concetta Principe – described the collection as “sophisticated, funny, and sad, often within the same line.”

The Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award for Spoken Word was presented to Andrea Thompson. The jury – comprised of Sheri-D Wilson, Kevan Anthony Cameron, and Dwayne Morgan – described her as a Canadian icon of spoken word producing work that “explores and pushes boundaries – as artist practitioner, activist, educator and historian.”

Congrats to the winner of #2019Leacock Cathal Kelly as well as finalists @AliBryan and @markcritch!! Wonderful night 🙂 See everyone next year!!! pic.twitter.com/hDR9Y7Nwrv

— The Leacock Medal (@LeacockMedal) June 9, 2019