B.C. writer W.P. Kinsella wins lifetime achievement award

W.P. Kinsella, the author of Dance Me Outside and Shoeless Joe, has been awarded the George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award.

Vancouver Public Library and Pacific BookWorld News Society jointly sponsor and present the annual prize to a British Columbia author for an enduring contribution to the literary arts.

Kinsella, born in Edmonton, now lives in B.C.'s Fraser Valley.

He received the award, which includes a $3,000 cash prize, Tuesday from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

"I think a lifetime achievement award sounds pretty final, but I'm always happy to see my work recognized," Kinsella said.

His novel Shoeless Joe was made into the film Field of Dreams and his short story Lieberman in Love was made into an Oscar-winning short film.

Kinsella, known for his understated humour, is author of more than 20 books, including Box Socials, If Wishes Were Horses and Baseball Stories.

"People read and enjoy his work around the world," said Alan Twigg, BC BookWorld publisher and Woodcock Award founder.

"Like Alice Munro and Douglas Coupland, he has earned his reputation beyond the stratum of self-elected literary aristocrats."

Past winners of the Woodcock award, named for the B.C. writer and founder of the journal Canadian Literature, include Joy Kogawa, Jack Hodgins and Munro.