VICTORIA, B.C. — Submissions are now being accepted for the 2026 Victoria Book Prizes, celebrating outstanding literary work by writers in Greater Victoria.
Three prizes of $5,000 each will be awarded in the following categories:
• City of Victoria Book Prize for fiction or non-fiction
• City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize
• DC Reid Poetry Prize
The capital region is home to a remarkable concentration of literary talent, including poets, novelists, journalists, essayists, historians and children’s authors and illustrators, whose work resonates locally and beyond. For more than 20 years, the Victoria Book Prize Society has partnered with libraries, booksellers, publishers and book lovers to celebrate creativity and bring local literary works to wider audiences. The City of Victoria is a long-time sponsor of the prizes and provides ongoing support in recognition of the vital role literary arts play in Victoria’s cultural life.
“The Victoria Book Prizes highlight the depth of literary talent in our community. The City is proud to support local writers and the cultural contributions they make in Victoria,” said Nichola Reddington, Assistant Director of Business and Community Relations with the City of Victoria.
Last year, more than 40 books across all categories were considered for the awards. The range of themes and topics reflected the diverse stories and experiences of writers who live and work in the region.
“Victoria’s writing community continues to astonish us with the range and quality of work being produced here. These prizes are our way of ensuring that talent receives the recognition it deserves, while connecting readers with the richness of our region’s literary voices,” said Christina Haska, president of the Victoria Book Prize Society.
Authors and publishers may submit titles published between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. A shortlist of three titles in each category will be announced in September, followed by a series of public readings and events that connect shortlisted authors with Victoria’s book loving community. Prize winners will be announced in November 2026. Full eligibility details and submission guidelines, plus information about previous winners, are available at victoriabookprizes.ca.
The Victoria Book Prize Society gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the City of Victoria, Friesens, Orca Books, Munro’s Books, Russell Books, Greater Victoria Public Library, the Pratch Family Foundation, Caffe Fantastico, Magnolia Hotel and Chateau Victoria.
Media Contacts:
Sybil Harrison
Victoria Book Prize Society
250.415.1900 | bookprizesvictoria@gmail.com
Colleen Mycroft
Manager, Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca