VICTORIA, B.C. — Nine local authors are finalists for the 2026 City of Victoria Book Prize, City of Victoria Children's Book Prize and DC Reid Poetry Prize. Winners will be announced on November 14 and will each receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Fifty books were considered for this year's awards. A series of public events leading up to the awards will provide opportunities for readers to meet and engage with the nine finalists.
“This year's submissions reflect the diversity of writers, voices and stories rooted in this region, from first-time authors to award-winning veterans, spanning a wide range of genres and perspectives,” said Sybil Harrison, President of the Victoria Book Prize Society. “Victoria is home to one of the highest concentrations of writers, poets and illustrators in the country. Their stories, often inspired by this place, reflect our collective experience.”
Independent juries comprised of representatives from local literary arts and library communities adjudicated entries in the three categories.
The 2026 finalists are:
City of Victoria Book Prize (for fiction or non-fiction)
• Dennis E. Bolen, Amaranthine Chevrolet (Dundurn Press)
• Tracey Lindberg, The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin (HarperCollins)
• Terence Young, Give Us This Day (Signature Editions)
City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize
• Mike Deas (illustrator), This Plant Is Not Boring (Orca Book Publishers)
• Mike Deas and Nancy Deas, Howler Reef (Orca Book Publishers)
• Uma Krishnaswami, The Sunshine Project (Groundwood Books)
DC Reid Poetry Prize
• John Barton, Compulsory Figures (Caitlin Press)
• Marilyn Bowering, Frayed Linens (Exile Editions)
• Arleen Paré, Encrypted (Caitlin Press)
“Victoria is home to an incredible community of writers and illustrators whose work enriches our cultural life and connects us through stories,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “Congratulations to the finalists for this well-deserved recognition and to the Victoria Book Prize Society for continuing to champion local literary talent.”
Founded in 2004, the Victoria Book Prize Society promotes public appreciation of books by authors living in Greater Victoria. The City of Victoria is a long-standing sponsor of the Victoria Book Prize and the Children's Book Prize, while local poet and philanthropist DC Reid provides financial support for the poetry prize.
The Victoria Book Prize Society establishes policy and criteria for the prizes, administers the competition and appoints the juries. For more information about the awards, finalists, full list of books considered and upcoming public events, visit victoriabookprizes.ca.
Media Contacts:
Sybil Harrison
President, Victoria Book Prize Society
250.414.1900 | sybil.harrison@hey.com
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca