City of Victoria Butler Book Prize

Call to Entries for 2018 Victoria Book Prizes

Thank you to all those who submitted entries to the 2018 Victoria Book Prizes consisting of the $5,000 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the $5,000 Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize. The annual Victoria Book Prize Gala in October showcases the literary achievements of authors and illustrators who make Greater Victoria their home.

The Victoria Book Prize Society is a non-profit organization that establishes the policy and criteria for the two prizes, appoints the juries, and administers the competitions. Two independent juries comprised of representatives from the literary arts community are appointed by the Society to review and assess the submissions. For more information, click here.

15th Annual City of Victoria Butler Book Prize

The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize honours members of the literary community by awarding a $5,000 prize to an author for the best book published in the preceding year in the categories of fiction, literary non-fiction or poetry. Founded in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies.

11th Annual Bolen Books Children's Book Prize

The $5,000 Bolen Books Children's Book Prize is awarded to an author or illustrator of children's literature. In 2008, Mel Bolen of Bolen Books created the prize to increase recognition of this literary genre.

How to Apply

Submission Deadline: Closed on Tuesday, May 22, 2018
 
Literature in the appropriate genres was to have been published between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

 Submissions were to include the following:

  • A submission form - completed and signed.
  • FIVE copies of the book. (One copy will be part of a display at Victoria City Hall.)
  • Entry fee. $25 per entry, payable by cheque to: Victoria Book Prize Society

NOTE: Finalists were required to provide SEVEN additional copies for promotional purposes.

Submission(s) and payment were to be delivered to:
The Victoria Book Prize Society
c/o Target Storage Ltd.
#38 - 747 Princess Avenue
Victoria, BC V8T 1K5

Awards Gala

Shortlisted nominees for both prizes will be announced in September and authors will be showcased at a gala held at the Union Club of British Columbia on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. 

Sponsors

Founded in 2004, the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies. The Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize was founded in 2008. Additional sponsors include the Union Club of British Columbia, Greater Victoria Public Library, Island Blue Print, Magnolia Hotel and Spa, Friesens Corporation and CBC Radio.

Previous Winners

City of Victoria Butler Book Prize winners include:
Yasuko Thanh, Mysterious Fragrance of the Yellow Mountains, 2017
Pauline Holdstock, The Hunter and the Wild Girl, 2016
Julie Paul, The Pull of the Moon, 2015
M.A.C.(Marion) Farrant, The World Afloat, 2014
Stephen Reid, A Crowbar in the Buddhist Garden, 2013
Madeline Sonik, Afflictions & Departures in 2012
Jack Hodgins, The Master of Happy Endings in 2011
Frances Backhouse, Children of the Klondike in 2010
Patrick Lane, Red Dog, Red Dog in 2009
Arleen Paré, Paper Trail in 2008
Bill Gaston, Gargoyles in 2007
Mark Zuehlke, Holding Juno in 2006
Terrence Young, After Goodlake's in 2005
Kevin Patterson, Country of Cold in 2004
 
Bolen Books Children's Book Prize winners include: 
Margriet Ruurs, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey, 2017
Dawn Green, In the Swish, 2016
Chris Tougas, Dojo Daycare, 2015
Daniel Loxton with Jim W.W. Smith, Pterosaur Trouble, 2014
Polly Horvath, One Year in Coal Harbour in 2013
Caitlyn Vernon, Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest in 2012
Kristi Bridgeman, Illustrator, Uirapurú (pronounced oor-a-pur-ú) in 2011
Sylvia Olsen, Counting on Hope in 2010
Penny Draper, Graveyard of the Sea in 2009
Chris Tougas, Mechanimals in 2008

Contact Us

Alyssa Polinsky
President
Victoria Book Prize Society
250.893.1311
victoriabookprizes@shaw.ca