Pete McCormack is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, playwright, musician and director. Two of his screenplays , Whirlygirl, directed by Academy Award winner Jim Wilson and Blue Butterfly, directed by Lea Pool and starring Academy Award winner William Hurt will be out this year. His two novels, Shelby and Understanding Ken have been highly acclaimed and are both optioned for the screen. Understanding Ken was short-listed for the Stephen Leacock Award for Canadian Humour and the Word on the Street People’s Choice Award. ‘’McCormack is a legitamite heir to the Canadian storyteller legacy established by Leonard Cohen (and) Joni Mitchell.’’ - The Georgia Strait.