Photos! Authors Descend on Ottawa for Politics & the Pen

Every spring, the Writers' Trust of Canada hosts their annual Ottawa-based fundraiser, Politics & the Pen. The event brings together politicians, diplomats, donors, and authors at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Laurier for an evening celebration, the highlight of which is the presentation of the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing.

This year's winner was Kamal Al-Solaylee, for his acclaimed book Brown: What Being Brown in the World Today Means (to Everyone) (HarperCollins Canada). Funds raised at the event go to support the Writers' Trust initiatives, which include ten high profile literary awards, an emergency fund for writers in financial need, a writers' retreat in the Yukon, and much more.

Check out some of the photos from the May 10, 2017 event!

Apple ibookstore's Chris Jackson

Co-hosts Hon. Rona Ambrose and Hon. Scott Brison

Political strategist and author Cornell Belcher with author Mark Sakamoto

Authors Diane Schoemperlen and Jane Urquhart

Shaughnessy Cohen Prize finalist Ian McKay and Rob Vanderheyden

Shaughnessy Cohen Prize finalist James McLeod and Laura Howells

Finalist Jamie Swift, Janet Pearce, finalist Ian McKay, and editor Robert Clarke enjoy the patio

Finalist Noah Richler and Anansi President Sarah MacLachlan capture a moment

Janice Dickson and Shruti Shekar

The Chateau Laurier ballroom with the finalists' books displayed above the stage

The Hon. Kent Hehr and 2017 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize winner Kamal Al-Solaylee

Author Tracey Lindberg