Thirty Canadian writers have been selected for the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize longlist from a pool of nearly 3,000 submissions. The selected works cover a diverse range of topics and styles, showcasing the talent and creativity of writers from across the country.
The longlist includes a variety of captivating stories such as “YSL Classes” by Oluwatoke Adejoye, “Things I Know for Sure” by Katrina Agbayani, and “Pattern Recognition” by Amber Allen. These stories, along with others like “Big Plane, Small Plane” by Jeremy Audet and “Not Too Hard, Not Too Easy” by Anne Baldo, have impressed the judges with their unique perspectives and engaging narratives.
The submission process involves two rounds of screening by a dedicated reading committee comprised of experienced editors and writers. Each submission is carefully reviewed by two readers, leading to the selection of approximately 100 entries for further consideration.
The final longlist of 30 entries is then passed on to a second reading committee, who will ultimately decide on the shortlist and the eventual winner of the prize. Entries are evaluated based on language usage, originality of content, and writing style, with a focus on creativity and storytelling ability.
The esteemed jury for this year’s prize includes Maria Reva, Terry Fallis, and Tracey Lindberg. They will be responsible for selecting the shortlist and announcing the winner, who will receive a prize of $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and publication on CBC Books.
The shortlist for the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize will be revealed on April 30, with the winner announced on May 7. In addition to the grand prize, four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their works featured on CBC Books.
Last year’s winner, Dorian McNamara, received acclaim for his story “You (Streetcar at Night).” The French-language competition’s longlist has also been unveiled, offering more literary delights for readers to explore.
For those interested in submitting their work, the 2026 CBC Poetry Prize is currently open for entries until June 1. The 2027 CBC Short Story Prize will open in September, followed by the 2027 CBC Nonfiction Prize in January.