A Chapters spokesperson says when the company tried to contact Faire for biographical information, a man answered the phone and said he would pass on the message to Faire. A woman then returned the call later. Lonergan admits he had a friend pose as Faire when Chapters called in April. He says he did so because he believed that Chapters wanted a woman to win this year. He finally owned up to the pseudonym when he was contacted by McClelland and Stewart , the book publisher.
Chapters says it pulled the prize because it was elaborately and deliberately misled by the author.
Thomas Lonergan says he's disappointed, but respects Chapters' decision. He still hopes to have his book published. Chapters says the Robertson Davies award will resume next year. The prize was named after the late author Robertson Davies. The Robertson Davies Prize - from chapters.ca.