Andrew Unger's book "Once Removed" was named the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award winner for the best first book by the Manitoba Book Awards.

"I got pretty emotional", says the Steinbach author, upon receiving the news. "I was a little teary. I had to contain myself. I was at work when I found out so I had to make sure I kept a brave face."

As copies of his book sell, Unger continues to work on the satirical news site The Daily Bonnet and he says with all that is going on in the world, he uses his writing to stay positive. "To at least have some kind of a laugh every day, even if things are not great. I think therapeutic, it's helpful. I try to find a laugh somewhere."

Being an avid Winnipeg Jets fan, they make appearances in the Daily Bonnet from time to time and as Unger explains, the latest article kind of became irrelevant. "I presumptively assumed they were going to do terrible because the last month of the season they were playing terrible, so I wrote a satirical article saying they were going to do terrible but they've proved me wrong, at least so far."

Unger believes it is good to take a break from things and reset a little. "(The Daily Bonnet) is a funny distraction from reality."

Always busy but also always a bit mysterious, Unger did tease the possibility of more things coming down the road. "I shouldn't say too many details just yet but perhaps expect something in the not too distant future."