The Victoria Book Prizes celebrate outstanding books by writers who live in Victoria and the Capital Regional District. Established in 2004, the prizes are supported by the City of Victoria and administered by the Victoria Book Prizes Society to recognize excellence in children’s literature, fiction and poetry and to build public awareness and appreciation of local literary talent.
Each year, three $5,000 prizes are awarded to authors who have lived in the Capital Regional District for more than two years, including two City of Victoria–funded book prizes and the independently funded DC Reid Poetry Book Prize.
2025 Victoria Book Prize Winners
Congratulations to the 2025 winners: • City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize – Uma Krishnaswami, Birds on the Brain • City of Victoria Book Prize – Barbara Black, Little Fortified Stories • DC Reid Poetry Book Prize – Melanie Siebert, Signal Infinities
Winners are selected by independent juries made up of members of the literary arts community. To learn more, read the full news article.
Previous Winners
Kathryn Mockler, Anecdotes, 2024
Pauline Holdstock, Confessions with Keith, 2023
Esi Edugyan, Out of the Sun: On Race and Storytelling, 2022
Briony Penn (with the late Cecil Paul), Following the Good River, The Life and Times of Wa’xaid, 2021
Lorna Crozier, The House the Spirit Builds, 2020
Kathy Page, Dear Evelyn, 2019
Bill Gaston, A Mariner's Guide to Self Sabotage, 2018
Yasuko Thanh, Mysterious Fragrance of the Yellow Mountains, 2017
Pauline Holdstock, The Hunter and the Wild Girl, 2016
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
Raina Delisle, Breaking News: Why Media Matters, 2024
Julie McLaughlin, Illustrator of Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World, 2023
Wendy Proverbs, Aggie and Mudgy: The Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children, 2022
Leslie Gentile, Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer, 2021
Mark Leiren-Yount, Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales, 2020
Aidan Cassie, Sterling, Best Dog Ever, 2019
Monique Gray-Smith, Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, 2018
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
Victoria Book Prize Society
The Victoria Book Prizes Society is a volunteer-run organization that establishes the policy and criteria for the prizes, appoints independent juries and administers the annual competitions. For submission guidelines, important dates and eligibility details, visit victoriabookprizes.ca.
