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- calendar_today October 10, 2026
Two British Columbia Authors Shortlisted for Prestigious Giller Prize
Michelle Good and Nazanine Hozar, both with strong ties to British Columbia, have been announced as finalists for the 2026 Giller Prize, one of Canada’s most notable literary awards. The Giller Prize, which bestows a $100,000 award, celebrates excellence in Canadian fiction annually.
Michelle Good and Nazanine Hozar React to the Announcement
The news arrived at different moments for the two authors. Nazanine Hozar, a Vancouver resident, was asleep when the shortlist was revealed due to the time difference between British Columbia and Ontario, where the announcement was made. Upon waking, she found celebratory messages from her editor and girlfriend, expressing her surprise and delight. Michelle Good, originally from Kitimat, B.C. and formerly of Chase, B.C., was awake and eagerly awaiting the outcome. "That was probably one of the longest hours of my life waiting for the announcement," said Good.
Notable Works: 'Eliza Sunshine' and 'The Small Ones'
Both authors' shortlisted novels center on themes of survival and resilience. Michelle Good’s Eliza Sunshine follows the lives of three women navigating adversity and suffering, including experiences at residential school. The story is based in part on Good’s family history, with perspectives inspired by her great-grandmother, mother, and a fictional daughter. "I'm beginning to believe that there's no such thing as fiction anyway, because everything that we write comes from our own observations, experiences, opinions, viewpoints," Good told CBC’s Radio West.
Nazanine Hozar’s The Small Ones is told from the perspective of an older man reflecting on war, manhood, and violence. The novel draws from her memories of the Iran-Iraq war and the experiences of child soldiers. Hozar, who was born in Tehran and came to Canada as a child, explained that her own past inspired the story’s themes of conflict, powerlessness, and survival.
Giller Prize 2026: Ceremony and Broadcast Details
This year’s Giller Prize winner will be revealed in Toronto next month. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Rick Mercer, will air on Monday, Nov. 16, at 9 p.m. ET on CBC TV and CBC Gem, and will also be livestreamed on CBC's YouTube channel. Additional broadcasts will be available on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen.
Authors' Background and Literary Impact
Michelle Good is no stranger to literary acclaim, having previously made the Giller Prize longlist in 2020 for her debut novel Five Little Indians, which later won Canada Reads in 2022. Hozar is a creative writing instructor and bestselling author whose latest work continues to expand the conversation around Canadian fiction. Both authors’ selections underline the vibrancy and depth of contemporary Canadian literature, particularly from writers with roots in British Columbia.
About the Author
This report was written by Courtney Dickson, a journalist with CBC News based in Vancouver who covers stories throughout British Columbia. Dickson has received recognition from the Radio Television Digital News Association and won a Webster Award in 2022.
Source: cbc.ca.
