From a pool of almost 3,000 entries, the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize longlist has been unveiled, featuring 30 writers from various regions in Canada. The list includes works such as “YSL Classes” by Oluwatoke Adejoye, “Things I Know for Sure” by Katrina Agbayani, and “Pattern Recognition” by Amber Allen.
The selection process involves two rounds of assessment. Initially, a reading committee comprising editors and writers evaluates each submission. Subsequently, a second committee refines the initial shortlist to about 100 entries, which are then reviewed to determine the final longlist of around 30 stories. Submissions are judged based on language usage, subject originality, and writing style.
The shortlisting and winner selection will be carried out by a jury composed of Maria Reva, Terry Fallis, and Tracey Lindberg. The shortlist announcement is scheduled for April 30, with the winner reveal set for May 7.
The recipient of the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize will be awarded $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and publication on CBC Books. Additionally, 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 was Dorian McNamara with the story “You (Streetcar at Night).” The longlist for the French-language competition has also been disclosed.
For those interested in the CBC Literary Prizes, submissions for the 2026 CBC Poetry Prize are being accepted until June 1. The 2027 CBC Short Story Prize will open in September, followed by the 2027 CBC Nonfiction Prize in January.