William Deverell
Encyclopedia
William Herbert Deverell (born March 4, 1937) is a Canadian novelist, activist, and criminal lawyer. He is among the most well known authors of crime fiction in Canada; the recipient of the 1997 and 2006 Arthur Ellis Awards
for best Canadian crime novel, and the Dashiell Hammett Prize
for literary excellence in crime writing in North America for his novel "Trail of Passion". William Deverell’s first novel, "Needles", which drew on his experiences as a criminal lawyer, won the McClelland & Stewart $50,000 Seal Award. Since "Needles", he has published fourteen novels including "High Crimes", "Mecca", "The Dance of Shiva", "Platinum Blues", "Mindfield", "Kill All the Lawyers", "Street Legal", "Trial of Passion", "Slander", "The Laughing Falcon", "Mind Games", "April Fool", "Kill All the Judges" and "Snow Job". He is the author of the true crime book "A Life on Trial – the Case of Robert Frisbee", based on a notorious murder trial which he defended. He has also published numerous magazine articles and short stories.
William Deverell’s work includes the screenplay for the feature film of "Mindfield", released in l990. He also wrote the screenplay "Shellgame" for CBC-TV drama, which served as the pilot for CBC's "Street Legal (TV series)
". He has authored several one-hour radio plays performed by the CBC Radio
in the "Scales of Justice " series and numerous film and television scripts.
Early in his career, William Deverell worked as a journalist with the Canadian Press
in Montreal and the Vancouver Sun, and while working his way through law school at the University of Saskatchewan
as night editor of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. As a lawyer, he was counsel in more than a thousand criminal cases, including thirty murder trials, either as defender or prosecutor.
He is a founder and honourary director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
. In 1991-92, he served as Visiting Professor in the Creative Writing Department, University of Victoria
. In 1994, he served as Chair of the Writers' Union of Canada
, and again in 1999, and he is a member of the Writers Guild of Canada
, International Pen
, Crime Writers of Canada
.
William Deverell has been guest of honour at Canada's main crime writer's venue, Bloody Words, and received the Best Canadian Crime Writer award at the Scene of the Crime Festival in Ontario. He lives on Pender Island, British Columbia, and in Quepos, Costa Rica.
Arthur Ellis Awards
The Arthur Ellis Awards are a group of Canadian literary awards, presented annually by the Crime Writers of Canada for the best Canadian crime and mystery writing....
for best Canadian crime novel, and the Dashiell Hammett Prize
Hammett Prize
The Hammett Prize is awarded annually by the International Association of Crime Writers, North American Branch to a Canadian or US citizen or permanent resident for a book in English in the field of crime writing...
for literary excellence in crime writing in North America for his novel "Trail of Passion". William Deverell’s first novel, "Needles", which drew on his experiences as a criminal lawyer, won the McClelland & Stewart $50,000 Seal Award. Since "Needles", he has published fourteen novels including "High Crimes", "Mecca", "The Dance of Shiva", "Platinum Blues", "Mindfield", "Kill All the Lawyers", "Street Legal", "Trial of Passion", "Slander", "The Laughing Falcon", "Mind Games", "April Fool", "Kill All the Judges" and "Snow Job". He is the author of the true crime book "A Life on Trial – the Case of Robert Frisbee", based on a notorious murder trial which he defended. He has also published numerous magazine articles and short stories.
William Deverell’s work includes the screenplay for the feature film of "Mindfield", released in l990. He also wrote the screenplay "Shellgame" for CBC-TV drama, which served as the pilot for CBC's "Street Legal (TV series)
Street Legal (TV series)
Street Legal is a Canadian television series, which aired on CBC Television from 1987 to 1994.-Synopsis:A spinoff from the 1985 television movie Shellgame, Street Legal focused on the professional and private lives of the partners in a small Toronto, Ontario law firm, Barr, Robinovitch and Tchobanian...
". He has authored several one-hour radio plays performed by the CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
in the "Scales of Justice " series and numerous film and television scripts.
Early in his career, William Deverell worked as a journalist with the Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. is the entity which "will take over the operations of the Canadian Press" according to a November 26, 2010 article in the Toronto Star...
in Montreal and the Vancouver Sun, and while working his way through law school at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
as night editor of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. As a lawyer, he was counsel in more than a thousand criminal cases, including thirty murder trials, either as defender or prosecutor.
He is a founder and honourary director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association or BCCLA is a non-government organization in British Columbia, Canada dedicated to the preservation, maintenance and extension of civil liberties and human rights in Canada....
. In 1991-92, he served as Visiting Professor in the Creative Writing Department, University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
. In 1994, he served as Chair of the Writers' Union of Canada
Writers' Union of Canada
The Writers' Union of Canada , founded in 1973, describes itself as supporting "the country's authors by advocating for their rights, freedoms, and economic well-being." Its members are professional writers who must have published at least one book through a commercial publisher.The Union addresses...
, and again in 1999, and he is a member of the Writers Guild of Canada
Writers Guild of Canada
The Writers Guild of Canada represents more than 1,800 professional writers working in film, television, radio, and multimedia production in Canada...
, International Pen
International PEN
PEN International , the worldwide association of writers, was founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere....
, Crime Writers of Canada
Crime Writers of Canada
Crime Writers of Canada is a national organization for Canadian crime writers, founded by Howard Engel.-Arthur Ellis Awards:Its annual awards are the Arthur Ellis Awards. The award statue itself is wooden model of a hanging man. The arms and legs move when the statue's string is pulled.The award is...
.
William Deverell has been guest of honour at Canada's main crime writer's venue, Bloody Words, and received the Best Canadian Crime Writer award at the Scene of the Crime Festival in Ontario. He lives on Pender Island, British Columbia, and in Quepos, Costa Rica.