B.C. writer Jonathan Poh wins 2020 CBC Nonfiction Prize

Jonathan Poh of Burnaby, B.C., has won the 2020 CBC Nonfiction Prizefor his story Value Village.

Poh will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Artsand will also receive awriting residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

His winning story has been published on CBC Books. You can readValue Villagehere.

"What does putting on the costume of a new country mean? Wanting to fit in is a common need for adolescents. It's a way to be accepted. It's a way to be cool. But for many kids, it's a form of camouflage in a hostile environment. This painfully entertaining coming-of-age story walks a weighty path through immigration, racism, class and bullying. Value Village is a beautifully written story told with wisdom, heart and, always, a gently biting humour," the jury said in a statement.

• How Jonathan Poh wrote the story that won the 2020 CBC Nonfiction Prize

The jury was composed of writers Yasuko Thanh, Bill Gaston and Robyn Doolittle.

Poh's story was selected from more than 1700 English-language submissions received from across the country.

CBC Books13:16Jonathan Poh reads Value Village

Jonathan Poh reads the story that won the 2020 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

In Value Village, Poh explores how unprocessed trauma is stored in the body in this case, through the sense of smell and how it can trigger intense memories.

"WritingValue Villageshowed me that there is a lot I could probably unpack in my own life. I've lived and worked in several countries and the common thread has always been this interest in streetwear and sneakers.That's how I started my career," Poh told CBC Books in an interview.

"Value Villagegoes back to the origins of that, and this idea that what I wore could be a kind of armour. I experienced a lot of racism when I was growing up and I found that by choosing the right clothes or the right shoes, I could fit in. Over time, it changed into a form of self-expression."

Value Villageisfirst time Poh has entered the CBC Literary Prizes.

"I wasn't confident about entering the competition so I procrastinated, wavered between entering and not entering. But in the end, I knew this was a story I needed to push myself to tell," Pohsaid.

"I was fortunate enough to still have time before the deadlineand I spent the next four days writing and rewriting several drafts in a frenzy, one of which became Value Village. In a strange and difficult year, my first submission to the CBC Nonfiction Prize is an accomplishment I will cherish forever."

I knew this was a story I needed to push myself to tell.- Jonathan Poh

The four remaining finalists for the CBC Nonfiction Prize are Joseph Kakwinokanasum of White Rock, B.C. for Ray Says,Amy MacRae of Vancouver for Take a Photo Before I Leave You,Rachael Preston of Nanaimo, B.C. for The Story Tellerand Leona Theis of Saskatoon for Sturnella Neglecta (Overlooked Little Starling). They will reach receive$1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts.

• Facing terminal cancer diagnosis pushed CBC Nonfiction Prize finalist Amy MacRae to find her voice as a writer

The jury selected the shortlist from alonglistof 35 writers that was compiled by ateam of writers and editors from across Canada.

Last year's winner was Victoria writer Jenny Boychuckfor her essaySlow Violence.

Isabelle Lapointeis thewinner ofle Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada, forDd.

• Calling all writers! The CBC Short Story Prize is now open

TheCBC Literary Prizeshave been recognizing Canadian writers since 1979. Past winners includeMichael Ondaatje,Carol Shields,Michael WinterandFrances Itani.

• Check out past CBC Literary Prizes winners

If you're interested in otherCBC Literary Prizes, theCBC Short Story Prizeis currently open and accepting submissions until Oct. 31, 2020.

The 2021CBC Nonfiction Prizewill open in January. The 2021CBC Poetry Prizewill open in April.