Waterloo, Ontario-based author Laura MacGregor has emerged as the champion of the 2025 CBC Nonfiction Prize with her narrative titled “The Invisible Woman.” MacGregor will be granted $6,000 by the Canada Council for the Arts along with a two-week writing retreat at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her winning piece was showcased on CBC Books, and it can be accessed here.
For those intrigued by other literary contests, the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize is presently open for submissions until November 1 at 4:59 p.m. ET, welcoming original, unpublished short fiction up to 2,500 words.
During an episode of “Bookends with Mattea Roach,” MacGregor delved into her narrative about her middle son, Matthew, who endured severe disabilities, reflecting on her caregiving journey.
MacGregor, a writer and mother of three sons, one of whom faced profound disabilities, embarked on a PhD in her fifties to comprehend her life as an extreme caregiver. Following her son’s passing in 2020, she enrolled in The Writer’s Studio (SFU) in pursuit of solace through words.
The author, known for academic works on mothering a disabled child, is also a contributor to “Disrupting Stories and Images of Church,” set for publication by Bloomsbury in 2026.
In a heartfelt expression, MacGregor shared, “I wanted to invite readers into that cost, to invite them to the chaos, the confusion, and the sense of being completely overwhelmed and very fearful.”
She emphasized the importance of portraying both the son and the mother in her story, advocating that proper care for individuals with disabilities necessitates care for their caregivers as well.
The esteemed jury panel, comprising Zoe Whittall, Danny Ramadan, and Helen Knott, praised MacGregor’s work for its poignant exploration of mothering a medically fragile child and the complexities that come with it.
“The Invisible Woman” sheds light on MacGregor’s caregiving journey for her son Matthew, illustrating the significant responsibilities many mothers shoulder to ensure their children thrive.
Joining a list of distinguished writers who have secured CBC Literary Prizes, MacGregor’s success adds to the legacy of past winners such as David Bergen, Michael Ondaatje, and Carol Shields.
The other finalists of this year’s competition, including Rachel Foster, Jennifer McGuire, Lena Palacios, and Crystal Semaganis, will each be awarded $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts.
The extensive longlist was meticulously curated by a group of editors and writers across Canada from over 1,300 submissions, underscoring the rigorous selection process that culminated in MacGregor’s victory.
MacGregor expressed her gratitude, stating, “Winning the CBC Nonfiction Prize gives me the confidence to claim the title of writer, one who has a worthy story to tell.”
For those interested in literary competitions, the CBC Literary Prizes offer avenues for writers to showcase their talent, with the CBC Short Story Prize currently open for submissions in 2026.