Carol Shields Prize for Fiction

The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction is the first major English-language literary prize to celebrate creativity
and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States, awarding $150,000 USD to its winner, and $12,500 USD to each of its four finalists.

Prize Award Supported by

2026 Announcement Schedule

Longlist: March 2026

Shortlist: April 2026

Prize: May/June 2026

About Carol Shields

“As a woman who has elected a writing life, I am interested in writing away the invisibility of women’s lives, looking at writing as an act of redemption. In order to do this, I need the companionship, the example, of other women who are writing.”

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Your support will help us empower and celebrate women and non-binary writers, amplify their stories, and share their outstanding craft with the world.

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The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction is the first major English-language literary prize to celebrate creativity and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States, awarding $150,000 USD to its winner, and $12,500 USD to each of its four finalists.

2026 Announcement Schedule

About Carol Shields

Become a Donor

The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction is the first major English-language literary prize to celebrate creativity
and excellence in fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States, awarding $150,000 USD to its winner, and $12,500 USD to each of its four finalists.