Born in Winnipeg in 1945, J.R. Léveillé divides his time between the city and Lake Manitoba country. Now retired from Radio-Canada national television, where he was a journalist for many years, Léveillé produced over thirty author and artist profiles. He is also the author of over 30 books of poetry, fiction and essays published in Canada and abroad. He is the most widely reviewed contemporary Western Canadian Francophone author. An international symposium on his work was held in 2005. Léveillé has won numerous literary awards, including the Manitoba Lifetime Writing and Publishing Award. Le soleil du lac qui se couche/The Setting Lake Sun has received numerous accolades, including winner of the Prix Champlain, winner of Le Prix Littéraire Rue-Deschambault, John Glassco Translation Award Very Honourable Mention, and the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award shortlist.