Congratulations to all the finalists for the 2007 BC Book Prizes. Prizes are to be awarded at the annual Lieutenant Governor’s BC Book Prize Gala, which is to be held on Saturday, April 28 at Government House in Victoria, emceed by author William Deverell.

The two weeks preceding the Gala feature some pretty nifty BC book events. A selection of the prize finalists will participate in a two week tour through the province, during which the authors will give readings at schools and to the general public. This year’s tour takes place from April 16 to the 28th, visiting Prince George, Vanderhoof, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Princeton, Osoyoos, and Oliver, finishing up in Victoria. Nice to see BC literature getting a good public airing in some of the smaller communities.

Saturday, April 21 will be a busy day: it marks the start of BC Book and Magazine Week; it’s also the date that the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence will be announced.

And mark your calendars now for the evening of April 21 (7:00-9:00 pm) — come on down and schmooze at the annual BC Book Prize Soirée, to be held this year at the Vancouver Lookout, at Harbour Centre in Vancouver. Members of the t&p editorial collective will be in the house…