30 writers from across Canada make 2026 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlist
The CBC has announced the 30-entry longlist for the 2026 Nonfiction Prize, selected from over 1,900 submissions. The competition, which has been running since 1979, will announce a winner in September who will receive a cash prize and a writing residency.
Why it matters
This prize is a significant cultural event in Canada that supports emerging and established writers, fostering the national literary landscape.
The longlist was selected from more than 1,900 submissions.
Submissions are processed by a two-tiered system: the initial texts are screened by a reading committee chosen for each category from a group of qualified editors and writers across the country. Each text is read by two readers.
The readers come up with a preliminary list of approximately 100 texts that are then forwarded to a second reading committee. It is this committee who will decide upon the approximately 30 entries that comprise the longlist that is forwarded to the jury.
Works are judged anonymously on the basis of the participant's use of language, originality of subject and writing style.
The jury selects the shortlist and the eventual winner from the readers' longlisted selections. This year's jury is composed of Claire Cameron, Niigaan Sinclair and Teresa Wong .
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