Toronto Writer Finalist for Canadian Literary Award

May 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Toronto writer Shireen Jeejeebhoy has been shortlisted in a national writing competition for her fictional book, the Christian fantasy novel She.

Jeejeebhoy, who returned to writing books after she had sustained a closed head injury in an automobile accident, received the Dorothy Cody Award for her volunteer work with her fraternity, at her church, and in her community. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Jeejeebhoy is actively studying the bible under the tutelage of the Rev. Canon Dr. Duke Vipperman and, under his guidance, created a bible study on the Book of Job, which she then turned into The Job Sessions: Why Do The Innocent Suffer?, an ebook guide with handouts and images.

Jeejeebhoy's book She, which takes the reader into the life-altering struggles of a nameless young Toronto songwriter as she fights for her identity and copes with betrayal, is a finalist in the Novel - Futuristic book category in The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards.

The winner will be announced on June 13th at a black-tie Awards Gala at World Vision's headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, to which the public is invited. The Gala is the premier event honouring the work of Canadian writers who are Christian.

The contest received a record number of almost 360 entries from writers in eight provinces. The 35 award categories include non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, poems, blogs, and song lyrics.

"I am incredibly excited to be shortlisted for this award," Jeejeebhoy said. "Many readers have told me that She so haunted them that they were compelled to continue reading so as to help the heroine recover. I’m thrilled to receive this national recognition for my writing."

The Word Guild, the organization that sponsors the awards, consists of more than 325 writers and editors across Canada who write from a Christian perspective and publish work in a variety of genres.

The Word Guild also sponsors Canada's largest Christian writers' conference, Write! Canada www.writecanada.org. After the Gala, 250 writers, editors, agents, and publishers will meet in Guelph, Ont. from June 14 to 16 for professional development, networking, and marketing opportunities.

Noteworthy contestants include new finalist, Ann Voskamp of Gowenstown, Ontario, whose New York Times bestselling book One Thousand Gifts (Zondervan) is shortlisted in the Inspirational/Devotional category. Voskamp is in good company with former Tarr Award recipient and winner Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ontario, whose book Flight (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) is shortlisted for three categories - Children, Young Adult, and Historical.

All shortlisted Book Category finalists are in contention for the largest literary prize for writers who write from a Christian worldview. The $5,000 Grace Irwin Award will be presented to the author of the best book entered in The Word Guild's awards.

The Leslie K. Tarr Award for career achievement, sponsored by Foundation Distributing Inc., will be presented at the Gala. Previous Tarr Award recipients include Governor General's Award winners children's author Jean Little and novelist Rudy Wiebe.

To see the complete shortlist of finalists, or to obtain more information about the Gala or The Word Guild, visit http://www.thewordguild.com and http://www.canadianchristianwritingawards.com. To see a synopsis of She and details on where to purchase, visit http://jeejeebhoy.ca/library/she/.