City of Victoria Book Prizes

2023 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize Winner

The $5,000 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize has been awarded to Pauline Holdstock for Confessions with Keith.

Now in its 20th year, this prize is awarded to a Greater Victoria author for the best book published in the categories of fiction, non-fiction or poetry.

Two-time winner Pauline Holdstock’s Confessions with Keith (Biblioasis) is an outrageously comic fiction novel that documents a middle-aged writer and mother grappling with mid-life crisis – her husband's and her own.

Holdstock is the author of seven novels, including Into the Heart of the Country, long listed for the 2012 Giller Prize; Beyond Measure, winner of the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and shortlisted for the 2004 Giller Prize; as well as The Hunter and the Wild Girl that won the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize in 2016. 

2023 City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize Winner

The $5,000 City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize has been awarded to illustrator Julie McLaughlin for Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World.

Now in its 16th year, this prize is awarded to a Greater Victoria author or illustrator for the best children’s book.

Julie McLaughlin’s Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World (Orca Book Publishers) features beautifully detailed illustrations that integrate science with storytelling. Children will enjoy finding new bits of information with every read.

An award-winning freelance illustrator, Julie McLaughlin currently resides on Vancouver Island. She graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Design in 2006 and has since worked for a variety of editorial, advertising and publishing clients from around the world.

Awards Gala

The winners were announced at a gala emceed by CBC's Gregor Craigie on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Union Club of British Columbia.

About the Prizes

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 City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize recognizes and celebrates exceptional children’s and youth literature in our community. The prize was established in 2008 by the late Mel Bolen of Bolen Books.

Sponsors

This year's sponsors include the Union Club of British Columbia, Friesens Corporation, Munro’s Books, Russell Books, CBC Radio, the Greater Victoria Public Library, Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites and Magnolia Hotel and Spa. CBC’s Kathryn Marlow hosted the event. Special thanks to twentieth anniversary supporters Orca Book Publishers, Touchwood Editions and Harbour Publishing for helping make this milestone special.

2024 Submissions

Submissions for the 2024 Victoria Book Prizes will open in April 2024. For more information, including submission forms, dates and guidelines, please visit victoriabookprizes.ca.