From a pool of close to 3,000 entries, the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize longlist features 30 writers from various regions in Canada. The selection includes works like “YSL Classes” by Oluwatoke Adejoye from Burnaby, B.C., “Things I Know for Sure” by Katrina Agbayani from Toronto, and “Pattern Recognition” by Amber Allen from Guelph, Ont.
The submission process involves two rounds of evaluation: an initial screening by a reading committee of editors and writers, followed by a second committee that narrows down the selections to approximately 30 entries for the longlist. Criteria for judging include language usage, subject originality, and writing style.
The final judging panel for this year’s prize consists of Maria Reva, Terry Fallis, and Tracey Lindberg. The shortlist will be revealed on April 30, with the winner announced on May 7. The recipient of the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and have their work published on CBC Books. Four finalists will also be awarded $1,000 each and have their works featured on CBC Books.
Last year’s winner was Dorian McNamara for “You (Streetcar at Night).” The French-language competition longlist has also been disclosed. For more information, visit the Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada.
Those interested in the CBC Literary Prizes can submit entries for the 2026 CBC Poetry Prize until June 1. The 2027 CBC Short Story Prize will open in September, followed by the 2027 CBC Nonfiction Prize in January.
