Who's Who in Canadian Literature, 1997-1998

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

The title of this book invites immediate comparison to the Oxford
Companion to Canadian Literature. While the two works cover some similar
material, they differ greatly in intent and scope.

First, the Oxford Companion gives critical analysis of both the writer
and that writer’s impact on Canadian literature, while the Who’s Who
does not provide commentary. Second, while the Oxford Companion profiles
only the big names in Canadian letters, the stated intention of the
Who’s Who “is to provide a starting point, a source of current
information about Canadian writers, particularly those who are not
widely known.” Third, the Oxford Companion profiles Canadian writers
both living and dead. The Who’s Who lists only living writers. Fourth,
the Who’s Who is more explicit than the Oxford Companion in declaring
its selection criteria. “We have selected ... living Canadian poets,
playwrights, story writers, novelists, children’s writers, critics,
editors, or translators.” Excluded are “Canadian writers who died
before November 1983 ... , [and] ... journalists, historians, or
biographers (with the exception of literary biographers), unless they
have also written drama, poetry, fiction, or literary criticism.”

A typical entry starts off with the writer’s name, followed by his or
her field of literature (poet, playwright, etc.) and a list of all works
and their publication dates. Also noted are awards received and
associations to which the writer belongs (e.g., PEN). Finally, a mailing
address is provided so that readers may contact the writer (usually
through his or her publisher).

As a primary research tool, Who’s Who in Canadian Literature is a
valuable resource.