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4 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Dodds nominated for $50,000 poetry prize both and they've both been an by Sue Weigand influence on my work." April is, with apologies to Connolly works as an editor at T.S. Eliot, the busiest month, Coach House, where he edited at least for Orono poet Jeramy Dodds' book. "We've got a Dodds. It's National Poetry good friendship. It's just a fun Month after all, and Dodds few days," said Dodds, brushhas garnered not one, but two, ing aside any talk of rivalry. nominations for national poet"And his book is incredible. ry prizes, with his book of I'm just happy p o e m s , to be on the Crabwise to shortlist. the Hounds Whatever hap( C o a c h pens, happens." H o u s e The announceBooks). After ment of the quietly worknominations ing on the gained national collection for media attention seven years, due to the remuD o d d s nerative value received of the prize, strong praise dubbed by but modest Griffin as "one fanfare when of the most the book was lucrative poetry published last prizes in the October. world." Both However, this month -- with The cover of Crabwise to the the Canadian Hounds. and internationthe publishal finalists for the prize -- choing industry's spotlight sen from 485 books of poetry focussed on poetry -- Dodds received from 32 different has found himself at centre countries -- have been invited stage. to read in Toronto at the "There has been quite a bit MacMillan Theatre on of attention," he said by phone Tuesday, June 2nd. The two from Fredericton, where he is winners will be announced on just wrapping up a semester of Wednesday, June 3rd, at the teaching creative writing at ninth annual Griffin Poetry the University of New Prize Awards evening. Brunswick. He was, in fact, The judges noted that busy at the University when Dodds' work, his first pubword came of his nomination lished collection, evinced for the Griffin Poetry Prize. "I "deep intelligence and a seriwas at school marking assignous commitment to craft." ments," he said. "I wasn't at Dodds said the nomination home. My partner, Brecken made by a jury of fellow poets Hancock told me. She took the - means validation of his call, and then phoned me." work. "It's a big welcome into That call came on April a community that I've been 7th, when Scott Griffin, admiring for a long time," he founder of the Griffin Trust said. for Excellency in Poetry, Earlier, on April 1st, the announced the finalists for the League of Canadian Poets prize of $50,000 each for the (LCP) announced that Dodds best international and best was among the six finalists for Canadian book of poetry pubthe 2009 Gerald Lampert lished in English. Dodds was Memorial Award. The $1,000 one of three poets shortlisted prize recognizes the best first for the Canadian prize, along book of poetry published by a with Kevin Connolly and A.F. Canadian in the preceding Moritz, both of Toronto. year. The jury remarked that "It's humbling to be on a Dodds delivers "a perforlist with both Kevin and Al" mance that is unwaveringly said Dodds. "I know them photo by S. Weigand Orono poet Jeramy Dodds has been nominated for the Griffin Poetry Prize. The $50,000 prize is awarded to the best Canadian book of poetry published in English. The Griffin Trust for Excellency in Poetry was created by Toronto businessman Scott Griffin and a group of writers, including Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaantje. fresh" in Crabwise to the Hounds. "This book is a gift, displaying an exultation and energy in the language rare as the vistas and beasts that inhabit its pages." The winner will be announced at the annual LCP Poetry Fest and Conference in Vancouver, BC on June 13th. Also this month, Dodds and fellow Coach House poet Matthew Tierney will be embarking on a promotional book tour across Western Canada, sponsored by VIA Rail. The tour, which begins this Sunday in Toronto, and includes scheduled stops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Vancouver and at the Edmonton Poetry Festival, ends with the Ottawa International Writers Festival on April 30. Coach House plans to set up a blog for Dodds and Tierney so they can document their trip (details forthcoming from: www.chbooks.com). Next April may be some- what quieter for Dodds, as he will be afforded some time to focus on his writing. The Writers' Trust of Canada announced earlier this year that he has been selected for a three-month residency at the Berton House Writers' Retreat, the childhood home of the late Canadian author Pierre Berton. Dodds will be writerin-residence at the retreat in Dawson City, Yukon from April to June, in 2010.