Claude Le Bouthillier has published seven novels and one book of poetry. His eighth novel and second collection of poetry are both slated for publication in fall 2004. He has won several major literary prizes, including the Pascal-Poirier Prize (2000) from the province of New Brunswick, an award of excellence bestowed for an author s life's work. For Phantom Ships, originally published in French as Le Feu du Mauvais Temps, he received the Champlain Prize (1989) and the France-Acadie Prize (1990).

Born in New Brunswick, Claude Le Bouthillier studied psychology at the University of Moncton and the university Paris-X-Nanterre. He has worked in educational and university settings, in a clinic, and in his own practice. At present, his office is in Caraquet. For the past thirty years, he has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to writing and to promoting literary activities and reading. From 1989 to 1991, he chaired the Public Lending Rights Commission. Claude Le Bouthillier represents Acadian writers on the Board of Directors of the New Brunswick Arts Council and chairs the Acadian Poetry Festival held every fall.