Five Canadian novels named to 2026 Giller Prize shortlist
Official 2026 Giller Prize shortlist graphic.
Photo credit: Giller Prize
The Giller Prize has named five Canadian novels to its 2026 shortlist, narrowing a field of more than 140 submissions ahead of the winner announcement in Toronto next month.
The finalists are:
Tara Gereaux, Wild People Quiet (Scribner Canada)
Michelle Good, Eliza Sunshine (Random House Canada)
Nicholas Herring, Your Breath in Charcoal (Goose Lane Editions)
Nazanine Hozar, The Small Ones (Knopf Canada)
Patmeena Sabit, Good People (Crown)
The five books represent five publishing imprints and four provinces. The 2026 jury is a first for the prize: nine independent booksellers from across Canada are selecting the longlist, shortlist and eventual winner. The panel includes Dan MacDonald and Lori Cheverie of Bookmark; Danielle McNally and Rupert McNally of Ben McNally Books; Carmela Vedar of The Book Wardrobe; Sean Liburd of Knowledge Bookstore; Chris Hall of McNally Robinson Booksellers; Sarah Klassen of Mosaic Books; and Jenn Baerg Steyn of Yellowknife Books.
The prize awards $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each finalist. The Giller Prize is awarded annually for Canadian fiction published in English, including translated work. Rick Mercer will return to host this year’s ceremony.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in downtown Toronto on Nov. 16, 2026. The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET on CBC TV and CBC Gem and will also be available on CBC’s YouTube channel. CBC Radio and CBC Listen will carry a broadcast special.
