Charlie Foran named executive director of Writers' Trust of Canada

CharlieForan has been named the next executive director of the Writers' Trust of Canada.

Foran replaces Mary Osborne, who is stepping down after seven years in the role.

Foran will start in January 2020. The Toronto author has written 11 books, including fiction, nonfiction and journalism.

His bookMordecai,about the life and career of the lateMordecaiRichler,won the Governor General's Literary Award for nonfiction and the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction in 2011.

His other books include a biography of hockey icon Maurice Richard and the novel Planet Lolita.

Foran is a member of the Order of Canada, a senior fellow at Massey Collegeand teaches English at the University of Toronto.

He has also wona Canadian Jewish Book Award, twoQSPELLprizesand several National Magazine Awards.

In 2018, Foran was awarded the $50,000 2018Writers' Trust of Canada Fellowship for being "one of the leading Canadian voices of our time."

CBC Books18:52Charles Foran on The Next Chapter

Charles Foran discusses his novel Planet Lolita with Shelagh Rogers.

"Charlie is that rare hybrid both a respected administrator with experience leading some of the country's most impactful arts and social justice organizations, and an accomplished writer working in both fiction and nonfiction," said Kari Cullen, the chair of theWriters' Trust of Canada said in a press statement.

"He is recognized for his contributions to Canadian literatureand as a champion for freedom of speech."

Foran was previously theCEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Charles Foran - Hilary Weston Prize

13 years ago

Duration 1:31

Charles Foran - Hilary Weston Prize

The Writers' Trust of Canada is an organization that supports Canadian writers through literary awards, fellowships, financial grants, mentorships and more.

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It was founded in 1976 byMargaret Atwood,Pierre Berton,Graeme Gibson,Margaret LaurenceandDavid Young.

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The Writers' Trust of Canada awardsincludetheHilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfictionand theRogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.

"The Writers' Trust is essential to the cultural life of Canada," Foran said in a press statement. "It is a voice for, and on behalf of, Canadian writers and writing. I am honoured to be asked to evolve the Writers' Trust into the next decade. There is much more work still to be done."