The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for historical writing.
The Lieutenant-Governor’s
Medal for Historical Writing
Each year, the British Columbia Historical Federation invites submissions for its Annual Historical Writing Competition to authors of British Columbia history; and the winning author is awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing.
Eligibility
• To be eligible, a book must be about BC history and be published within the
competition year
• Non-fiction books representing any aspect of BC history are eligible.
• Reprints or revisions of books are not eligible
• Books may be submitted by authors or publishers
• Deadline for submission is December 31 of the year in which the book was published
Submission Requirements
• For instructions to enter the competition a letter MUST be sent to:
Director William R. Morrison
• This letter must contain the following:
1. Title of the book submitted
2. Author’s name and contact information
3. Publisher’s name and contact information
4. Selling price
• Deadline: December 31st of the year in which the book was published
• Authors/Publishers are required to submit three copies of their book
• Books entered become the property of the BC Historical Federation
• By submitting books for this competition, the authors agree that the BC Historical
Federation may use their name(s) in press releases and in its publications
Judging Criteria
Judges are looking for quality presentations and fresh material. Submissions will be evaluated in the following areas:
• Scholarship: quality of research and documentation, comprehensiveness,
objectivity and accuracy
• Presentation: organization, clarity, illustrations and graphics
• Accessibility: readability and audience appeal
Publicity
All winners will receive publicity and an invitation to the Award’s Banquet at the Federation’s annual conference in May following the year of publication.
Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal and Other Awards
The BC Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be awarded together with $600 to the author whose book makes the most significant contribution to the historical literature of British Columbia. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $400 and $200 respectively. Certificates of Honourable Mention may be awarded to other books as recommended by the judges.
Historical Note
A proposal to initiate a BC history writing competition was approved at the Federation’s
annual conference in 1983 and the Lieutenant Governor, as Honorary Patron, agreed to the
awarding of the Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing. On six occasions
His/Her Honour has presented this medal: Victoria (1989), Richmond (2001), Prince George (2003),
Victoria (2007), Nelson (2009), and Campbell River (2012).
Awards for 2011
Winner: Chuck Davis, The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver.
2nd Place: Ron Leblanc, Keith Maxwell, Dwayne Snow and Kelly Deschênes, Swift &
Strong: a Pictorial History of the British Columbia Regiment. (Duke of Connaught's Own)
3rd Place: Dave Obee, The Library Book: a History of Service to British Columbia.
Honourable Mentions:
• Heather Harbord, Texada Tapestry: a History.
• Francis Mansbridge, Cottages to Community: The Story of West Vancouver's
Neighbourhoods.
• Rita Moir, The Third Crop: A Personal and Historical Journey into the Photo Albums
and Shoeboxes of the Slocan Valley, 1880s to early 1940s.