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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

November 8, 2024

Maurice Vellekoop wins Toronto Book Award for I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together

Maurice Vellekoop has been awarded the 2024 Toronto Book Award for I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together, published by Random House Canada. The award was announced last night at the Toronto Reference Library in partnership with the Toronto Public Library (TPL). I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together is the first graphic novel ever to win the Toronto Book Award.

The 2024 Toronto Book Awards jury praised I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together as a tribute not only to love but to longing, a cogent exploration of desire.

Vellekoop’s memoir explores his journey to live authentically within a traditional family and the often-intimidating Toronto arts scene of the 1980s and ‘90s. With vulnerability and humour, he depicts his experiences across Toronto from suburban Etobicoke to downtown’s dynamic neighborhoods, blending humour, insight and richly-illustrated scenes.

Vellekoop, born in Toronto in 1964, is a graduate of Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) and has had a 35 year career in international editorial and advertising art, zine and comic publications and art exhibitions. I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together marks his debut as an author.

I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together was chosen from a list of finalists that included:

- Reuniting with Strangers by Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio (Douglas & Mcintyre)

- The Roosting Box by Kristen Den Hartog (Goose Lane)

- The Rasmussen Papers by Connie Gault (Thistledown Press)

- The Suicide Magnet by Paul McLaughlin (Dundurn)

TPL has created a reading list of the 2024 Toronto Book Awards shortlisted titles, available on the TPL website: https://account.torontopubliclibrary.ca/shared/toronto-book-awards-2024-shortlist/1yyAa8hOAuBpz1Sp61T4Mzne771qlUPnZj1n1GYoPJ4O1mWkas.

The 2024 jury, comprised of past winners or finalists, includes authors Desmond Cole, Anthony De Sa, Jane Farrow, Rabindranath Maharaj and Kerri Sakamoto. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Toronto Book Awards, established in 1974 to celebrate books of literary merit that are inspired by Toronto. The award provides $15,000 in total prize money, with $10,000 for the winner and $1,000 for each finalist.

This year, the Toronto Book Awards received 116 submissions that reflected the creativity and diversity of the city’s literary community.

More information about the awards is available at www.toronto.ca/bookawards

Quotes:

“The library is thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Toronto Book Awards. Congratulations to Maurice Vellekoop for his outstanding writing and illustrations in the graphic novel I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together, an intimate graphic memoir and coming-of-age story about a queer artist in 1970s Toronto. I hope that Torontonians will add all of this year’s Toronto Book Awards nominated titles to their reading lists.”
– Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library

“I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to accept the 2024 Toronto Book Award during the 50th anniversary year. Thanks to the City of Toronto staff for their work to continue promoting, defending and celebrating books.”
– Maurice Vellekoop, 2024 Toronto Book Award winner

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information, visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.  

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca



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