2024 James H. Gray Awards for Short Nonfiction

A beautiful evening celebrating the incredible writing talent in the province of Alberta. Congratulations to all finalists, and a shout out to Patti Edgar and Thomas Wharton in my own non-fiction / essay category.

2024 James H. Gray Award for Short Nonfiction

Jury Remarks:

paulo da costa’s “The Stones That Anchor Us” is a touching homecoming tale that is original in structure and rich in description. Unconventionally, it takes the form of a kind of letter to the writer’s son and daughter (addressed as “you”), reminding them of their past visits, of local customs and time-honoured traditions. “The Stones That Anchor Us” is a heartwarming homage to tradition, to the cultural anchors that moor us to home and define who we become. paulo da costa’s skill in conveying this in the context of a fecund valley in Portugal make his tale an award winner.