Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the 2025 prize, a writer must be:

– A Canadian citizen or permanent resident

– Published in an independently edited literary magazine or anthology (journalistic sources are eligible provided the applicant has published literary journalism as opposed to reportage). This publishing credit must be in the genre of the category to which you apply.

– Unpublished in book form and without a book contract (a self-published book or chapbook is not disqualifying)

To submit an entry:

– For creative nonfiction and short fiction, eligible candidates should send up to 10 pages (maximum 2,500 words) of previously unpublished work. For poetry, eligible candidates should send up to 10 pages (no word limit) of previously unpublished work.

– Candidates grant Writers’ Trust of Canada permission to publish their work in print and digital formats should they be shortlisted (all rights reserved by the author).

– For more information, see our eligibility and submission FAQ below.

Formatting

– Give your submission one overall title. Include the title at the top of your manuscript and in the file name of your PDF, and ensure both match the name given for your submission. You do not need a title page.

– Your manuscript must not include your name or any identifying information.

– Include consecutively numbered page numbers.

– Do not use large images within your manuscript.

– Use any font you wish in 11 pt size.

General FAQ

Is there an age restriction for submitting to the award?
No, Canadian writers of all ages are invited to submit.

What writing qualifies as creative nonfiction?
The category includes history, biography, commentary, criticism, literary journalism, and essays that are personal or lyric or narrative.

My qualifying publishing credit is a poem. Can I submit to the short fiction category? 
No, to be eligible in a genre, a writer must have a publishing credit in that genre to qualify for the category.

I have been published in a zine or university publication. Does that qualify as a publication credit?
Yes, as long as the publication has an independent editorial process (i.e. the piece was selected for inclusion by an editor or review board).

I have signed a book contract with a publisher. Am I allowed to enter?
No, writers who have signed a full-length book contract with a traditional publisher on or before the submission deadline of December 16, 2025 are ineligible for this award.

I have a chapbook or self-published book. Am I allowed to enter?
Yes. A self-published book does not disqualify a writer, though writing included in a chapbook or self-published book may not be submitted to the award.

I have a book published in fiction but not in poetry. Can I still submit to the poetry category?
No. This award is for writers who are unpublished in book form, so a traditionally published book in any genre makes you ineligible.

Submissions FAQ

For the fiction and nonfiction categories, can I submit an excerpt from a longer work?
Yes, excerpts are accepted, though your submission should stand on its own as a distinct piece.

Can my submission to the award also be one of my qualifying publishing credits?
No, all parts of your submission must be unpublished and cannot appear in a literary magazine, anthology, or online journal before the prize is presented in June 2025. Work posted on a personal blog or on social media is still eligible.

Are simultaneous submissions allowed?
Yes, however, if your full submission is accepted elsewhere and is set to be published before June 2025, you must email the program manager to withdraw it from consideration for this award. If a single poem from a collection is accepted for publication elsewhere, only that poem will be removed from your submission and the jury will assess your entry based on the remaining poems.

What is the word or page limit?
For poetry, there is no word limit and the page limit is 10 pages. For creative nonfiction and short fiction, the word limit is 2,500 words, which generally falls into the 5-10 page range depending on the formatting. Please check your word count before submitting. There is no minimum for either category.

Are multiple submissions allowed?
You may submit writing in multiple categories for consideration. More than one entry in each category is not allowed and only the first submission will be accepted.

A piece I want to submit is due to be published after the deadline. Can I still submit it?
Submissions should not be published anywhere before the prize is presented in June 2025.

Is there a submission fee?
No.

A poem in my collection or reading of my short fiction has been performed live and/or the performance has been posted online. Can I still submit it?
Yes, a live performance or posted video recording of your submission does not disqualify it.

◢ Submit your poetry

◢ Submit your short fiction

◢ Submit your creative nonfiction