9 mistakes to avoid when submitting to the CBC Literary Prizes
The 2025 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions until March 1 at 4:59 p.m. ET
The 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions until March 1, 2025 at 4:59 p.m. ET. You can submit original, unpublished nonfiction that is up to 2,000 words in length. Nonfiction includes memoir, biography, humour writing, essay (including personal essay), travel writing and feature articles.
The winner will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and will have their work published on CBC Books.
Four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books.
If you're thinking about entering one of the CBC Literary Prizes, make sure you check your work twice to avoid these common mistakes.
1. Not respecting the word count
We are strict when it comes to word count. Every entry we receive is individually verified and those that do not meet the parameters do not move on — even those that are a few words above the word count (to see how we check, visit our FAQ). Submissions to the Short Story Prize can be up to 2,500 words. Submissions to the Nonfiction Prize can to be up to 2,000 words. Submission to the Poetry Prize can be up to 600 words. There is no minimum word requirement for our Prizes.
2. Sending in work that has been previously published
The CBC Literary Prizes recognizes original, unpublished work. The winning entry and the four finalists will have their work published on CBC Books. If your work is published elsewhere, it is not eligible. Posting work on social media or on a personal website does not count as published. If you're unsure if your work is eligible, email us at canadawrites@cbc.ca.
3. Including your name in the file
The CBC Literary Prizes are blind competition. Remove your name and any identifying information from your submission (except the title, of course). We have our own ways to keep track of who you are and what you wrote.
4. Sending the wrong file
Are you attaching the proper document? Sometimes we receive emails from people who realize they've sent in the wrong version of their story. Some keep tinkering with it after it's been submitted and want to send a tighter version. By then it's too late. We only accept one version of each entry for evaluation.
5. Sending photos, illustrations or other media along with your submission
We've seen it all — pictures of cats, family portraits, mathematical diagrams, musical CDs. Extra material does not get sent along with your submission to our readers, only the text is passed forward.
6. Choosing an illegible font or font size
Be sure to think about the reader when submitting to the prizes. Be creative with your story, not its presentation on the page. The less distraction our readers have the better they will be able to read your work.
7. Sending a story or poem to the wrong competition
The timelines for the three CBC Literary Prizes are set and nonnegotiable. Submit your work to the correct prize when the prize is open for submissions.
8. Not reading the rules and regulations
We know rules and regulations can seem long and boring. But if you have any questions about what you need to send, you'll find it there or in our FAQ. And if you can't find the answer you're looking for, email us.
9. Submitting at the last minute
Things tend to be rushed at the last minute and you might forget some important details. Sure, you can procrastinate, but it could make a difference.
