Montreal author shortlisted for 2024 Quebec Writers’ Federation Literary Awards
he emphasizes that engaging with the literary community can be rewarding, stating, “The more you give to the scene, the more you get out.”
Heather O’Neill, a Montreal-based Canadian author, has received a nomination for her novel The Capital of Dreams at the Quebec Writers Federation literary awards.
Expressing her appreciation, O’Neill remarked, “It’s a very special award for me,” highlighting the significance of the event for celebrating the best of English-language literature in Quebec.
The 2024 Quebec Writers’ Federation literary awards honor published works from Quebec’s English-speaking writers and translators. O’Neill's novel is in the running for the prestigious Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction.
She expressed excitement about attending the gala, where she looks forward to connecting with fellow writers in Montreal's anglophone literary community, which, according to her, thrives despite being embedded within a larger francophone culture.
Set against a backdrop of war in a fictional country named Elysia, The Capital of Dreams follows 14-year-old Sophia, whose acclaimed writer mother entrusts her with a manuscript as the enemy burns books across the nation.
O’Neill explains that the mother character, reminiscent of Simone de Beauvoir, is central to the narrative, showcasing themes of motherhood and loss.
In a personal reflection, O’Neill shared, “In most of my novels, my characters are motherless because I grew up without a mother.”
This novel marks her first exploration of a mother character, described as “conceited and arrogant,” providing a nuanced critique of motherhood. She elaborates on the complexities many women face when they don’t connect with the traditional role of motherhood, adding layers of darkness and humor to the story.
For aspiring authors in Quebec, O’Neill offers encouragement: “If people are interested in ways within Quebec to find those other people, to find the other writers, QWF is a great place to start.” S
he emphasizes that engaging with the literary community can be rewarding, stating, “The more you give to the scene, the more you get out.”
