In November 2021, the Writers’ Trust of Canada awarded Frances Itani (CRF 2009) the 2021 Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration of a Writing Life. This $25,000 award recognizes “a lifetime of distinguished work by a Canadian writer.” Congratulations, Frances! Click here for more information on the award.
“Frances Itani was a nurse for eight years before she took a writing course from W.O. Mitchell. Since then, she has published 18 books,” said the committee. “Time after time, Itani tells an intimate, universal, and poignant story. Her sculpted prose, quietly breathtaking, leaves us haunted and yearning for more.” — 2021 Matt Cohen Award Jury (Patsy Aldana, Wayne Grady, and Olive Senior)