Featured Video: Diane Schoemperlen on her Taylor Prize nominated Memoir

No one expects to fall in love with a killer. And no one was more surprised than Governor General's Literary Award winner Diane Schoemperlen when she became romantically involved with Shane, a man serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. Their turbulent six year relationship was an eye-opening experience of the Canadian prison system, the effects of trauma, the nature of violence, and the unexpected but irresistible bond between two very different people. 

This is Not My Life: A Memoir of Love, Prison, and Other Complications (HarperCollins Canada) is her fascinating story, told with unsentimental, clear-eyed recollection by one of Canada's finest novelists. It's compulsively readable and gives no easy answers, instead asking readers to think about difficult and complex issues, both political and personal. It is no surprise that this powerful book is one of five nominated for the 2017 RBC Taylor Prize for Nonfiction, which rewards the finest book of non-fiction published each year. 

We're thrilled to present an exclusive video interview with Diane today on Open Book, courtesy of and produced by the RBC Taylor Prize. Hear from Diane in her own words about the experience of writing this unmissable memoir.