The Great Giller Shortage

Several interesting repercussions to Johanna Skibsrud's Giller win for her novel The Sentimentalist (Gaspereau, 2009). First, we were witness to a wonderful, human response from a writer that most thought didn't have a chance of winning the prize traditionally claimed by authors from the big corporate houses.

The celebration quickly ended, when the print media and those heavily invested in the mass production of the objects formerly known as books realized that Gaspereau, Skibsrud's publisher, wouldn't be able to keep up to the expected demand. The Toronto Star, projecting from the sales of last year's winner, predicted 75,000 copies would be needed in the first year. Gaspereau, the producers of absolutely gorgeous books, can produce a mere 1,000 hand bound, letterpress (i think letterpress, anyway) copies each week.

This projected shortage has sent consumers, and those who claim to represent the best interests of consumers, into frothing madness. To make matters more complicated, Gaspereau Press has thus far refused all offers from mass printers and publishers for "help." In the corporate world, this sort of independence is threatening. The reasoning is that if the little company can't produce quickly enough to meet the whimsical hunger of the impressionable masses, a big company should move in to make it happen. Really, everyone is pissed that they can't have a slice of the goods.

But it's a ridiculous controversy. Skibsrud spent untold years writing the book, surely readers can wait a few months for a copy. A few days ago, most people had never heard of the book and now, if you believe the popular press (here and here), the future of the humanity depends on getting those books to people.

I'm going to place an order with Gaspereau for The Sentimentalist -- not because the book won a prize, not even because I am dying to read it (although I'm sure it's terrific) -- but because I love books and respect anyone who puts as much love and energy into the creation of books as does Gaspereau Press.

For a spin-free telling of this Can-Lit scandal, check out Rob McLennan's blog, the most rational take I've seen so far.