October 6, 2025 (Toronto, ON) – Five remarkable Canadian writers have been named to the 2025 Giller Prize Shortlist. Representing the boldness, inventiveness, and transformational power of Canadian literature, these five titles stand as a stirring testament to the essentiality of Canadian fiction as the prize celebrates its 32^nd year as the country’s most distinguished fiction award.

“For more than thirty years, the Giller Prize has elevated Canadian storytelling and inspired generations of writers to contribute to Canada’s legacy as a cultural hotbed for outstanding literature. This year is no different; the five titles on the shortlist are highly readable, deeply immersive, and profoundly unique works of art that build distinctive worlds and craft striking characters to inspire us, challenge us, and to push the medium of literary fiction forward.”
– Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director, Giller Prize

The authors on the 2025 Giller Prize shortlist are:

• Mona Awad for her novel We Love You, Bunny, published by Scribner Canada
• Eddy Boudel Tan for his novel The Tiger and the Cosmonaut, published by Viking Canada
• Emma Donoghue for her novel The Paris Express, published by Harper Avenue
• Emma Knight for her novel The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, published by Viking Canada
• Souvankham Thammavongsa for her novel Pick a Colour, published by Knopf Canada

This year’s jury is composed of three outstanding Canadian authors: Dionne Irving (jury chair), Loghan Paylor, and Deepa Rajagopalan. The jury narrowed down more than 100 works of fiction to curate a superb shortlist that features three national bestsellers, three former Giller Prize finalists, two first-time nominees, and one former Giller Prize-winner.

Rakuten Kobo provided the jury members with Kobo Elipsa 2E eReaders to support them on their reading journey.

Read the jury citations about each of the shortlisted authors.

The 2025 Giller Prize ceremony honouring the finalists and announcing the winner will be hosted by the incomparable Rick Mercer on Monday, November 17, at 9 p.m. (11:30 p.m. AT, 12 a.m. NT) on CBC TV, CBC Gem, and CBC’s YouTube channel. Listeners can tune in to a broadcast special on CBC Radio and CBC Listen.

The 2025 Giller Prize shortlisted books are available in accessible format for print-disabled Canadians through the National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA).

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Now in its second year, the Giller Mantella Scholarship awards $10,000 to three Black, Indigenous, or racialized students across Canada graduating high school and interested in continued education in creative writing and literature. This year’s scholarship recipients are Myeisha Dyer (University of Ottawa), Grace Lu (University of Toronto), and Lauryn Tran (Queen’s University). Applications for 2026 will open in March.

Once again, the winner of the 2025 Giller Prize will receive a two-week writers residency in the Leighton Artist Studios program at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. This residency includes the use of a private studio, access to Banff Centre facilities including the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, and access to Banff Centre talks, events, and performances taking place during the residency.

For the seventh year in a row, the winner of the Giller Prize will be honored by the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival in Mexico. Founded in 2006, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference is a premier international literary event set in the vibrant cultural heart of Mexico. The winner will be featured in a one-on-one conversation inclusive of a short reading followed by a Q&A period with the audience. This event will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 4 to 5 p.m. local time.

As part of the Giller Prize’s ongoing #BookTalk event series with Giller Prize longlisted, shortlisted, and winning authors, Toronto’s Union Hotel will host a ticketed event on November 18, featuring the winner of the 2025 Prize in conversation with author and journalist, Noah Richler. This one-hour conversation with the winner will be followed by a Q&A period with the audience. Tickets include a free copy of the prize-winning book, a glass of wine, a pastry, and a hot beverage. On February 25, 2026, The Toronto Public Library will host a ticketed event featuring the winner of the 2025 Prize. It will be a one-hour conversation with the winner followed by a Q&A period with the audience.

About the Prize
Founded by Jack Rabinovitch in 1994, the Giller Prize is Canada’s leading and most influential literary prize for fiction. The Giller Effect has been recognized industry-wide as one of the top drivers of book sales in Canada. The Giller Prize awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel, graphic novel or short story collection published in English, and $10,000 to each of the finalists. The award is named in honour of Jack Rabinovitch’s wife, the late literary journalist, Doris Giller.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages: Dëne Sųłıné, Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dene Zhatıé, Eastern Cree, Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and Tłı̨chǫ. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s digital bookseller created by and for book lovers. Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten Group, Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo’s millions of worldwide users can read anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With a mission to make reading lives better for all, Rakuten Kobo connects readers to stories using thoughtful and personalized curation of eBooks and audiobooks, and the best dedicated eReaders and apps for reading. With the singular focus of making reading lives the best they can be, Kobo’s open platform allows people to fit reading into more moments in their busy lives.

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Founded in 1933, Banff Centre is a post-secondary institution built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and leadership development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become a global organization leading in arts, culture, and creative decision-making across dozens of disciplines, from the fine arts to Indigenous Wise Practices. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to move everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, thinkers, and audiences – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to build an innovative, inspiring future through education, performances, convenings, and public outreach.

About Mantella Corporation
Mantella Corporation was established in 1946 and remains one of the largest Canadian privately held family-owned real estate and land development companies. Mantella Corporation manages a prestigious portfolio of commercial and industrial buildings, as well as prime development properties in Ontario. We focus on community, supporting over 30 diverse charitable organizations aiding children, hospitals, youth underserved communities, education, conservation of wildlife and more. We are committed to giving back through significant dedicated volunteer efforts, donations, sponsorships and grants.

About the San Miguel Writers’ Conference
Founded 21 years ago, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival is one of the most celebrated literary gatherings across North America. Based in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, this annual event brings together writers, readers, and thinkers from around the world, offering a dynamic program of workshops, keynotes, and panel discussions. Dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community of voices, the conference supports emerging and established writers alike, with a special commitment to our Spanish-speaking scholarship program for Mexican students. Through its innovative programming, cross-cultural exchange, and support for the literary arts, the San Miguel Writers’ Conference continues to inspire creativity, dialogue, and literary excellence.

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