The 2010 Leacock Medal finalists unveiled

This time of year always brings back vivid memories of March 27th, 2008. I was in Montreal on business, in between client presentations, when I discovered via Google that The Best Laid Plans had been shortlisted for the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. I thought I’d had a stroke. Seldom can we point to a specific instant when our lives are irreovocably changed. Not to be melodramatic about it, but March 27th, 2008, at about 12:30 in the afternoon, is one such instant for me.

Yesterday, in Orillia, Ontario, the 2010 Leacock Medal finalists were announced. It’s an interesting assembly of very funny writers, some better known than others. Will Ferguson, a two-time Leacock winner, and William Deverell, who was short-listed last year too, are joined by Kathryn Borel Jr., Glen Chilton, and Bill Conall.  It’s time for me to get reading! Incidentally, Will Ferguson is the brother Ian Ferguson, another Lecock winner and kind “blurber” for The High Road. Regrettably, I’ll not be able to be in Orillia for the luncheon at the end of April when the winner is announced, due to a prior book-related engagement of my own. But I’ll be there in spirit and I’ll definitely be in Leacock’s hometown for the Gala dinner in June. In fact, I’m the Master of Ceremonies for the event. I offer congratulations to all of the finalists.