K.R. Byggdin
K.R. Byggdin (born 1991) is a Canadian novelist from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1]
K.R. Byggdin | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | novelist |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Period | 2020s–present |
| Notable works | Wonder World |
| Website | |
| krbyggdin | |
Career
Byggdin began publishing short fiction in 2018, with publications in The Antigonish Review, Grain, The Quilliad and others.
Their debut novel, Wonder World, was published by Enfield & Wizenty (Great Plains Press) in 2022.[2] The novel tells the story of a 27-year-old pansexual Mennonite man named Isaac Funk who returns to his small Manitoba town after years on the East Coast.[3]
Wonder World won the Thomas Head Raddall Award at the 2023 Atlantic Book Awards,[4] and was a finalist for the 2023 ReLit Award for fiction.[5]
Personal
Byggdin grew up in Niverville, Manitoba, where they attended a Mennonite church and due to their close contact with Mennonite communities, says they are "Mennonite by osmosis."[6] They began to pursue writing as a career after being exposed to the writing of Miriam Toews by the town's mayor, while working in a summer job for the town government.[6]
Byggdin studied creative writing at Dalhousie University.[7]
References
- Nicole Buffie (April 21, 2022). "Niverville expat returns to Southeast with debut novel". The Carillon.
- "Byggdin brings debut novel to book club". Winnipeg Free Press. February 17, 2023.
- Allison Lawlor (May 1, 2022). "KR Byggdin's debut novel tackles quest for belonging". SaltWire Network.
- Morgan Mullin (June 8, 2023). "The speech that stole the show at this year's Atlantic Book Awards". The Coast.
- "ReLit Awards announce 2023 long shortlists". Quill & Quire, September 25, 2023.
- Jennifer Lavin (April 27, 2022). "A Narrative of Hope". Niverville Citizen. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- Brian Bradley (June 21, 2022). "Top 10 reads for Pride month". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 18, 2023.