Christopher DiRaddo

Christopher DiRaddo (born 1974) is a Canadian writer from Montreal, Quebec.[1] He is most noted as the 2024 recipient of the Judy Mappin Community Award from the Quebec Writers' Federation Awards, for his career contributions to the English-language literary community in the province.[2]

A former media relations coordinator for Divers/Cité, Montreal's LGBTQ Pride festival,[3] he published his debut novel The Geography of Pluto in 2014.[4] His second novel, The Family Way, followed in 2021.[5]

He was also the founder of the Violet Hour, a reading series in Montreal for LGBTQ writers, which later expanded into a regular book club to read and discuss both classic and contemporary works of LGBTQ literature.[6] He has also been a regular participant in the city's Blue Metropolis literary festival, including creating the Blue Metropolis Violet Prize.[7]

In 2019, he won a National Magazine Award for his enRoute piece "Austin or Bust".[8]

  1. ^ Richard Burnett, "The literary world of Christopher DiRaddo". Fugues, March 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Christopher DiRaddo wins 2024 QWF Judy Mappin Community Award". Quill & Quire, October 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Kate Barrette, "Melody lingers on: Outdoor dance party continues well into the evening". Montreal Gazette, August 5, 2002.
  4. ^ Ian McGillis, "Loneliness is universal; Christopher DiRaddo's novel and its gay protagonist transcend any possible genre constraints"]. Montreal Gazette, May 31, 2014.
  5. ^ Matthew Hays, "Montreal author Christopher DiRaddo launches The Family Way this week". Cult MTL, May 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Pamela Pagano, "Reading with Pride: Celebrating Montreal’s queer Italian literature scene". CityNews, August 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Peter Knegt, "Canadian LGBTQ literature is having a moment, and this Montreal festival is showcasing that". CBC Arts, April 18, 2018.
  8. ^ "Winners Announced for the 2019 National Magazine Awards". Canada NewsWire, May 31, 2019.