Dear fellow booklovers,

As we close out another remarkable year for Canadian writers, let’s remind ourselves of how much there is to celebrate about Canadian literature and its standing in the world.

Canadian authors continue to break boundaries by fearlessly exploring identity, belonging and the different places we call home. They have collectively shown us that literature is the heartbeat of our shared culture – diverse, audacious and endlessly inventive. Canadian literature has always been a space for courage – writers challenge conventions, confront difficult histories and imagine new worlds – and also a space for inclusion. It is this boldness and generosity, coupled with an enduring love of craft, that continues to mesmerize readers at home and around the world.

Our Craving CanLit initiative showcased the depth and breadth of the Canadian literary scene in 2025. Over one hundred and ninety books were published in Canada between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025 – evidence of the vitality of literature from across the country.

We hosted eight editions of our virtual Giller Book Club featuring last year’s longlisted authors, and, in partnership with Union Hotel, hosted five in-person #BookTalk book club events with wonderful attendance and engagement. We will return in 2026 with more book clubs featuring the 2025 longlisted writers, continuing to champion these incredible authors and their work.

Looking ahead to the coming year, there is so much to anticipate. New voices are emerging and breaking ground. Readers across the country continue to be captivated by the ineluctable beauty of Canadian stories. Together, we’ll continue to celebrate creativity, curiosity and the enduring spirit of literary community.

Please enjoy some photo treasures from this year’s ceremony. The room was full and alive with writers, publishers, booksellers and book lovers celebrating in common cause. You can watch the 2025 Giller Prize ceremony on our website.

The Giller Foundation continues to expand its work into communities where the need for learning and literature is greatest, and to help foster the next generation of readers and writers. This was the second year of the Giller Mantella Scholarship, presented by Mantella Corporation. The scholarship is for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students furthering their studies in creative writing and literary arts at the university level. The scholarship awarded $10,000 each to Myeisha Dyer, Grace Lu, and Lauren Tran. We congratulate the winning recipients and wish them well on their creative journeys. Applications for next year’s scholarship will open in February 2026.

For the first time, we are accepting online donations. Many people have asked over the years where and how they can donate to the Foundation. We sincerely thank everyone for their generosity and kindness.

Stay up to date on more news from the Giller Prize in 2026 and keep checking back with us at gillerprize.ca.

From all of us at the Giller Prize, thank you for making this year one to remember and cherish. Here’s to the next chapter in Canadian literature – brighter, bolder and more inspiring than ever.

Happy holidays and warmest wishes for the new year.

Elana Rabinovitch
Executive Director, Giller Prize