Grad's first novel named finalist for Governor General's Award
When the finalists for the 2025 Governor General鈥檚 Literary Awards were posted online last week, Vancouver writer L茅a Taranto, a 2020 graduate of the Writer鈥檚 Studio, could hardly believe her eyes. Her debut novel, A Drop in the Ocean, had been named a finalist in the category of young people鈥檚 literature鈥攖ext.
For Taranto, the national recognition has been a dream come true. 鈥淚n elementary school, I devoured books,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ome, like Kit Pearson鈥檚 Awake and Dreaming, had stickers, Governor General鈥檚 Award shortlisters and winners. One day, I promised myself, a book I wrote would get one of those stickers too.鈥�
But Taranto鈥檚 path to literary success had been far from assured. As she shared in our earlier article, she spent her adolescent years institutionalized for obsessive-compulsive and comorbid disorders鈥攄ashing her hopes of becoming a brilliant teen novelist. Yet, years later, this turbulent time in Taranto鈥檚 life would form the heart of her first novel. Published this past spring by Arsenal Pulp Press, A Drop in the Ocean shares the experience of a teenager diagnosed with OCD and anorexia who enters a residential treatment centre.
鈥淭he advice to write what you know felt impossible,鈥� she recalls, 鈥渂ecause stigma and internalized ableism had me convinced that I was a freak. I was also still coming to terms with my past, yet aware of my luck to have received treatment in the first place. Time and the support of community helped me heal enough to own who I am.鈥�
Of course, being shortlisted for a prestigious prize like the Governor General鈥檚 Literary Award should give any writer a shot of confidence鈥攁nd pride.
鈥淲hile writing A Drop in the Ocean helped me have grace for the desperate, hurting teen I鈥檇 been, this recognition feels like a hand extended to my middle-grade self,鈥� says Taranto. 鈥淟ist or no list, it鈥檚 okay to have big dreams and to be proud within reason of your hard work.鈥�
The Governor General鈥檚 Literary Award winners will be announced on November 6.