27 writers from across Canada make 2024 CBC Poetry Prize longlist
The 2024 CBC Poetry Prize has announced its longlist of twenty-seven writers from across Canada. The competition received over 2,700 entries, and the longlist was selected by a two-tiered system of reading committees. Each submission was read by two readers, who then forwarded a preliminary list of approximately 100 submissions to a second reading committee. This committee ultimately selected the approximately 30 entries that make up the longlist.
The longlisted writers come from diverse locations such as Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, and many more. Some of the intriguing titles on the list include “Borderland” by Howard Anglin, “Gas Station Coffee” by Paula Lemke, and “Girls of the Now” by Dora Prieto. The longlist showcases a wide range of poetic styles and subjects, highlighting the richness and diversity of Canadian poetry.
The next steps in the competition involve a jury composed of Shani Mootoo, Garry Gottfriedson, and Emily Austin selecting the shortlist and eventual winner. The shortlist will be announced on Nov. 14, with the winner being revealed on Nov. 21. The winner of the CBC Poetry Prize will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and their work will be published on CBC Books. Four finalists will also receive $1,000 each from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books.
Last year’s winner, Kyo Lee, won for her poem “lotus flower blooming into breasts.” The CBC Literary Prizes have a long history of recognizing Canadian writers, with past winners including renowned authors such as Michael Ondaatje and Carol Shields.
For those interested in other writing competitions, the CBC Literary Prizes offer opportunities such as the CBC Nonfiction Prize opening in January and the CBC Poetry Prize opening in April for 2025. The CBC Short Story Prize will open in September. Stay tuned for the announcement of the shortlist and winner of the 2024 CBC Poetry Prize, celebrating the talent and creativity of Canadian poets.
