Nakusp-based author Deirdre Dore has earned a nomination for the coveted Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize as part of the 2025 BC and Yukon Book Prizes. Dore’s debut novel, A Reluctant Mother, published by Vancouver’s Ronsdale Press, has been recognized for its literary merit in the highly competitive awards.
The novel, which explores themes of motherhood, trauma, and self-discovery, follows Frida—a woman who, despite a traumatic childhood, chooses not to have children with her husband, Blake. Their lives are disrupted when a stranger arrives at their door with a child she claims is Blake’s daughter, forcing Frida to confront buried emotions and reconsider her life’s path. The narrative delves into the complexities of identity, relationships, and personal growth.
Dore revealed that the inspiration for the novel stemmed from a real-life encounter. “The seed of the idea started when a woman knocked on my door and said she’d just hit a deer, and it was suffering in a ditch, and did I have a gun?” Dore shared in an interview with the Valley Voice. “Add a child to the mix, and the story came about from there.”
While A Reluctant Mother marks Dore’s first full-length novel, the author has an extensive background in writing plays, poetry, and short fiction. She is known for her Journey Prize-winning short story, The Wise Baby, written during her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Dore’s works have been featured on stage, and she has earned multiple awards for her short fiction.
The Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, named after the renowned BC author, celebrates the best original work of literary fiction from the province. Wilson’s writing, known for its clarity and exploration of human contradictions, has had a lasting influence on the literary landscape. According to the BC and Yukon Book Prizes website, Wilson’s characters often navigate the tension between personal freedom and the need for integration with others—an essence echoed in Dore’s own storytelling.
Dore reflected on the creative process behind A Reluctant Mother, noting how her characters developed a life of their own: “I like how the characters started to take on their own personas. They really came alive for me. That’s what keeps you going: when the characters start to take over, and they tell you what they’re going to do and how they feel.”
Frida, the protagonist of the novel, has garnered mixed reactions from readers, with some finding her actions polarizing. Yet, her complexities and imperfections provide a deeply human portrayal that resonates with many.
Looking ahead, Dore is working on a new collection of short fiction and revisiting a play she hopes to stage. Additionally, she is in the process of developing another novel. A Reluctant Mother is available through major retailers, bookstores, and directly from the publisher.
The winners of the BC and Yukon Book Prizes, including the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, will be announced at the 41st annual gala on September 21, 2025.
