TORONTO - Canada's richest poetry prize will be handed out tonight at a splashy ceremony in the city's trendy distillery district.
The Griffin Poetry Prize, created seven years ago by Toronto businessman Scott Griffin, awards $50,000 to the best Canadian book of poetry and $50,000 to the best international book.
The international nominees include literary stars such as American poet Frederick Seidel, a protege of Ezra Pound and a founding editor of The Paris Review.
The Canadian short list includes two poets from Toronto as well as veteran wordsmith Don McKay from Victoria.
The 65-year-old is considered Canada's top nature poet. He's nominated for his 11th collection, entitled "Strike/Slip."
This year, judges read 483 books of poetry, including 18 translations, received from 15 countries. Trustees for the award include writers Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje.
