Members of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) were saddened to learn over the weekend of the death of Jack Rabinovitch, founder of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Jack was a friend to many across our industry, and his commitment to Canadian writing is remembered and admired by publishers in all parts of the country. In establishing the Giller Prize, Jack generated new interest in Canadian books, and his enthusiasm for each year’s nominated books and authors brought excitement to the events around the award each fall.
Countless readers have discovered new Canadian titles as a result of the prize over the course of its history, which has coincided with period of transformational change in Canada’s book retail and media landscape. Books published by independent presses have been recognized alongside those by multinational firms, and the “Giller effect” has placed a wide range of books, including those by first-time and previously unknown authors, on bestseller lists across the country. Jack’s vision for the prize was instrumental to its success, and we celebrate his many contributions to our industry with gratitude.
ACP extends its sincere condolences to Jack’s many friends and to the Rabinovitch family.