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Giller finalist Gary Barwin makes short list for Leacock Medal for Humour

Last Updated May 5, 2017 at 9:20 am MDT

The Gary Barwin's book "Yiddish for Pirates" is shown in this handout image. Gary Barwin is up for yet another literary honour after making the short list for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

ORILLIA, Ont. – Gary Barwin is up for yet another literary honour after making the short list for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.

The Hamilton-based author was recognized for “Yiddish for Pirates” (Random House Canada), which was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction and the Scotiabank Giller Prize last year.

Halifax-born, Thunder Bay, Ont.-based Amy Jones made the short list for her debut novel “We’re All in This Together” (McClelland & Stewart).

Ojibway playwright, author and humorist Drew Hayden Taylor from the Curve Lake First Nations in central Ontario was honoured for “Take Us to Your Chief And Other Stories” (Douglas & McIntyre).

The Leacock Medal is awarded annually for the best book in Canadian literary humour, and is accompanied by a $15,000 prize from TD Bank Financial Group. The runners-up will each receive a cash prize of $1,500.

The winner will be announced on June 10 at a gala held at Geneva Park Conference Centre just outside of Orillia, Ont.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. Based on information from the award’s organizers, a previous version stated the runners-up will receive $3,000 each.