Ari Lord is the 2024 winner of the Richard Carver Award for emerging writers.
Lord was chosen for the award by the Nelson and District Arts Council and Elephant Mountain Literary Festival. In a press release announcing the winner, the arts council said a jury was impressed by the quality of Lord's work, their community involvement and support for the literary community.
“Ari Lord has a unique style," wrote one juror. "[The short story] The Death Doula and the Snake was especially compelling. We all need to hear about transition and depression, an especially important time to be hearing about trans and gay issues.”
Lord was presented the award at the literary festival in September by former recipient Rayya Leibich. The award, which has been handed out annually since 2013, is in honour of former arts council board member Richard Carver.
“I'm thrilled to be this year's recipient of the Richard Carver Award," said Lord in a statement. "Part of what I'm trying to do in my writing is bring to light queer and gender-diverse rural narratives. Having these efforts recognized by this award means a great deal. It has been incredible to grow in my craft over the last seven years surrounded by such a vibrant community of writers.”
Other past winners of the award include Ellen Burt (2023), Zaynab Mohammed (2022), Sarah Beauchamp (2021) and Danielle LaRocque (2020).
