The West Coast Book Prize Society is pleased to announce the names of the finalists vying for recognition in eight categories at the 42nd Annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes.
Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize awarded to the author of the best work of literary fiction:
- Sarah Louise Butler, Rufous and Calliope (Douglas & McIntyre)
- Bill Gaston, Tunnel Island: Stories (Thistledown Press)
- Susan Juby, Contemplation of a Crime (HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.)
- Maria Reva, Endling (Knopf Canada)
- Sam Wiebe, The Last Exile (Harbour Publishing)
Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize awarded to the author(s) of the best original non-fiction literary work:
- Sarah Boon, Meltdown: The Making and Breaking of a Field Scientist (University of Alberta Press
- Larry Grant with Scott Steedman, Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong (ECW Press)
- Garth Mullins, Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs (Doubleday Canada)
- Julian Brave Noisecat, We Survived the Night: An Indigenous Reckoning (Alfred A. Knopf)
- Phillip Seagram, No Judgement: And Other Busking Stories (Caitlin Press)
Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize to recognize the author(s) of the book that contributes most to the enjoyment and understanding of British Columbia and Yukon:
- Eric M. Adams and Jordan Stanger-Ross, Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution (UBC Press)
- Ruby Smith Díaz, Searching for Serafim: The Life and Legacy of Serafim “Joe” Fortes (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Larry Grant with Scott Steedman, Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong (ECW Press)
- Robert J. Muckle, Once upon This Land: Archaeology in British Columbia and the Stories It Tells (UBC Press, Purich Books)
- Paul Wong and Tamio Wakayama, Enemy Alien (Figure 1 Publishing)
Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize awarded to the author of the best work of poetry:
- Amber Dawn, Buzzkill Clamshell (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Lorna Goodison, The Inferno (Véhicule Press)
- Joseph Kidney, Devotional Forensics (icehouse poetry/Gooselane Editions)
- Rahat Kurd, The Book of Z (Talonbooks)
- Bruce McRae, Boxing in the Bone Orchard (Frontenac House Ltd.)
Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes presented to a book that challenges or provokes ideas and forces that shape what writing, art, and/or society can become:
- Ruby Smith Díaz, Searching for Serafim: The Life and Legacy of Serafim “Joe” Fortes (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- L.E. Fox, This Book Is a Knife: Radical Working-Class Strategies in the Age of Climate Change (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Kawika Guillermo, Of Floating Isles: On Growing Pains and Video Games (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Tracey Lindberg (author), George Littlechild (illustrator), The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin (HarperCollins Publishers Ltd)
- Jen Sookfong Lee, The Hunger We Pass Down (McClelland & Stewart)
Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize presented to the best illustrated book written for children:
- Samantha Beynon (author), Carla Joseph (illustrator), Celebrating Potlatches (Strong Nations Publishing Inc.)
- Katrina Chen and Elaine Su (authors), Delphie Côté-Lacroix (illustrator), A Stronger Home (Orca Book Publishers
- GuoJing, Oasis (Godwin Books)
- Deborah Kerbel (author), Udayana Lugo (illustrator), No Huddles for Heloise (Orca Book Publishers)
- David A. Robertson (author), Maya McKibbin (illustrator), Little Shoes (Tundra Books)
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize awarded to the best non-illustrated book written for children:
- Tanya Boteju, Messy Perfect (HarperCollins Publishing Ltd.)
- Gregor Craigie, Saving Wolfgang (Orca Book Publishers)
- Rachel Hartman, Among Ghosts (Penguin Teen Canada)
- Kim Spencer, I Won’t Feel This Way Forever (Orca Book Publishers)
- Léa Taranto, A Drop in the Ocean (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award presented to the originating publisher and author(s) of the best book in terms of public appeal, initiative, design, production, and content:
- Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa with Alison Ariss, Andrea Fritz, Chepximiya Siyam Chief Dr. Janice George, Danielle Morsette, Debra Qwasen Sparrow, Eliot White-Hill Kwulasultun, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams, Kerrie Charnley,Michael Pavel, saꬷamitća Susan Pavel, Senaqwila Wyss, Snumithia’ Violet Elliott, Tuwuxwul’t-hw Tyrone Elliott, and Xweliqwiya Rena Point Bolton, The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog (Harbour Publishing)
- 7IDANsuu James Hart and Curtis Collins, 7IDANsuu James Hart: A Monumental Practice (Figure 1 Publishing)
- Bob Joseph, 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation about Dismantling the Indian Act (Page Two Books)
- Phyllis Webstad and Kristy McLeod, Decolonization and Me: Conversations about Healing a Nation and Ourselves (Medicine Wheel Publishing)
- Iona Whishaw, A Season of Spies (TouchWood Editions)
The winners in the eight categories will be announced at the BC and Yukon Book Prizes Gala on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the University Golf Club in Vancouver, along with the recipient of the 2026 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence and the Borealis Prize: The Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Contribution.
A soirée to celebrate the shortlisted authors will be held on Thursday, May 21, at 6:30 pm at Book Warehouse in Vancouver (632 West Broadway). This casual, celebratory event to kick off the festivities is free and open to the public. Finalist books will be available to purchase.