Trevor Cole
Hamilton author Trevor Cole is the winner of the 2011 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
Cole's most recent book Practical Jean was named the best humour book published in Canada in the past year by a panel of national judges and Orillia's Stephen Leacock Association.
Practical Jean, published by McClelland & Stewart Canada, follows suburban housewife Jean Horemarsh as she comes to terms with the loss of her mother, a woman Jean has very conflicted feelings about.
When Jean sees the endless suffering her mother endures as she approaches death, Jean decides that no one, not her worst enemies and most certainly not her best friends, deserves to suffer the same fate.
Other authors on this year's Leacock shortlist were Todd Babiak for Toby a Man, Terry Fallis for The High Road, Red Green for How to do Everything, and David Rakoff for Half Empty.
Cole wins the medal named for Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock and a $15,000 cash prize provided by TD Bank Group.
"Mr. Cole continues an outstanding society of Canadian writers that get humour just right," said Frank McKenna of TD Bank Group. "We are thrilled to congratulate and recognize him for his exceptional and award winning work."