LONG SAULT, Ontario – Troy Guindon, children’s book author of the Long Sault area, was recently nominated for the world’s largest children’s literature award.
Nominated in the promoter of reading category, Guindon is one of five Canadians and 246 total nominees who are eligible to win the 2019 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The award comes with a prize of $5 million.
Guindon understands that his work is up against stiff competition. Although he isn’t confident that he will win, he feels grateful to have been nominated.
“To be nominated is something else,” said Guindon. “There are only 246 nominations from 64 countries. It’s really humbling to just be nominated within that group of people, because I have only been at this for a few years now.”
Currently working with the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education, Guindon decided that he wanted to try his hand at writing and publishing books after teaching English at Tagwi Secondary School for over 20 years. To date, he has published two children’s books, The Reading Promise, which has received over 35 global awards, and Stinky Blinky, winner of 10 awards.
“I spent years and years teaching people how to write,” said Guindon. “Finally, at one point, I said, ‘All these years of teaching students how to write, maybe I should put my money where my mouth is and do it as well.’”
“I didn’t want to look back on my life 25 years later and think to myself, ‘I should have given it a try,’” he added.
Guindon decided to self-publish his first book in 2014, which was later picked up by Austin Macauley Publishers out of London, England and published through a traditional contract. Guindon’s nomination for the Lindgren award also comes out of the United Kingdom (U.K.), made by Professor Jean Webb, Professor of International Children’s Literature at the University of Warchester.
The central idea behind The Reading Promise came from Guindon’s wife, Robyn. Guindon noticed that his wife read to all five of their children throughout their childhood.
“From day one, she read to our kids religiously, almost every night…I didn’t pay attention at first, but one night I was standing in the hall listening to our oldest son Kent ask questions about a book…I noticed that (Robyn) was using those opportunities to actually teach him various things she wanted him to learm, but very subtly; philosophies, integrity…” explained Guindon.
Guindon has witnessed various reactions to invividuals reading The Reading Promise.
“I’ve had so many people, I’m not kidding you…just start balling in front of me. You know, strangers hugging me and stuff,” said Guindon with a chuckle.
Guindon explained that his editor taught him the difference between things being grammatically correct versus readable from a commercial point of view. He has found his writing experience very educational. Guindon encourages aspiring writers to attempt a traditional publishing route before self-publishing. He said that starting a book is as easy as jotting down an idea and developing it from that point.
“Just start writing,” he encouraged.
To find out more about Guindon’s books, his work is known under the name Troy Kent. His books are available for purchase at WholeHealth Pharmacy in Cornwall.
