Categories and Criteria

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About BC Book Prizes

The BC Book Prizes, including The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, are presented annually at the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Book Prize Gala in April.

The awards carry a cash prize of $2000 plus a certificate. The exception is the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, which is a separate prize category.

Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize

Awarded to the author of the best work of fiction. The author must be a B.C./Yukon resident or have lived in B.C. or the Yukon for three of the past five years. No anthologies.
Supported by Friesens and Webcom

Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize

Awarded to the author of the best original non-fiction literary work (philosophy, belles lettres, biography, history etc.). Quality of research and writing are major considerations in the judging of this prize as are insight and originality. The writer must be a B.C./Yukon resident or have lived in B.C. or the Yukon for three of the last five years. The book may have been published anywhere.
Supported by AbeBooks

Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize

Awarded to the author of the best work of poetry. The author must be a B.C./Yukon resident or have lived in B.C. or the Yukon for three of the past five years. No anthologies or “best of” collections. The book may have been published anywhere.
Supported by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation

Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize

Awarded to the author(s) of the book which contributes most to the enjoyment and understanding of British Columbia. The book may deal with any aspect of the province (people, history, geography, oceanography, etc.) and must be original. Reprints, revised editions, guide books and how-to books are not considered for this prize. The book may have been published anywhere and the author may reside outside B.C.
Supported by Yosef Wosk and Transcontinental Printing

Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize

Awarded to the author of novels, including chapter books, aimed at juveniles and young adults, as well as non-fiction books for children (including biography) which have not been highly illustrated. The author must be a B.C./Yukon resident or have lived in B.C. or the Yukon for three of the past five years. The book may have been published anywhere.
Supported by the BC Library Association

Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize

Awarded to the author and illustrator of picture books, picture story books, and illustrated non-fiction books. The prize is shared by the author and the illustrator. The author and/or illustrator must be a B.C./Yukon resident or have lived in B.C. or the Yukon for three of the past five years. The book may have been published anywhere.
Supported by Kate Walker and Company

Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence

Established in 2003 by the Honourable Iona Campagnolo to recognize British Columbia writers who have contributed to the development of literary excellence in the Province. This award has a separate nomination form and submission deadline. There is no fee to enter.

Supported by The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of BC

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. The publisher must have its head office in B.C. or the Yukon and the creative control in terms of editing, design and production must have been within B.C. or the Yukon. BC bookstore owners determines the winner by ballot.
Supported by the Duthie family, independent BC bookstores, and the Western Book Reps Association.

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