The Canadian Book Club Awards (CBCA) is the country’s largest readers’ choice award, making it one of the most unique and democratic literary honours in Canada. Unlike traditional awards judged by a select panel of experts, the CBCA winners are chosen by Canadian readers themselves, ensuring that the books celebrated are the ones that truly resonate with audiences.
With over 13 diverse categories, from Fiction to Mystery/Thriller to Poetry, the CBCA champions books of all backgrounds—whether traditionally published, independently released, or created through hybrid models.
In this Q&A, Kristian Oliveira-Barnes, Program Director of the CBCA, shares insights into the 2024 award winners, the impact of reader-driven recognition, and what this year’s selections tell us about Canada’s literary landscape. Hear from the authors, too and enter for a chance to win all the winning books, below! —Noa Nichol
This year saw a record-breaking number of submissions. What do you think contributed to this increase, and how did it affect the selection process?
This year’s growth can be attributed to a few key factors. First, the establishment of the CBCA Board brought more structure and credibility to the awards. Second, our partnerships with national brands like Rakuten Kobo helped expand awareness of the awards to new audiences. Additionally, as with many organizations, it takes time to build momentum. Over the past few years, CBCA has steadily grown its presence, and we’ve now reached a point where authors, publishers, and readers recognize the awards as a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Canadian storytelling. With this growth came a larger pool of submissions, which made the selection process even more rigorous. Our Avid Readers and Verified Readers rose to the challenge, ensuring that every book received the time and attention it deserved.
Can you share insights into the judging process for the awards? How do you ensure diversity and inclusivity in the selection of winners?
The judging process begins with our Avid Readers, who are selected through an application process at the start of the year. These readers commit to reading and reviewing every book in their assigned category. Based on their reviews, they nominate the top three finalists in each genre. From there, the books are shared with our Verified Readers—hundreds of readers across Canada—who read and cast their votes to determine the winners. This two-tiered system ensures that the books are evaluated by a wide and diverse group of readers with varying tastes and perspectives.
The awards cover 13 categories, including Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Children’s Literature. Which category saw the most competition this year, and why?
Our top three most competitive categories this year were Fiction, Nonfiction/Memoir, and Mystery/Thriller. This aligns with broader industry trends, as these genres consistently dominate publishing and readership statistics. For example, Fiction and Memoir appeal to readers who seek both escapism and a connection to real, lived experiences. Meanwhile, Mystery/Thriller has a loyal following due to its gripping narratives and universal appeal. These categories tend to attract more submissions and, consequently, more engagement from our readers.
What trends or themes did you notice among the winning books this year? Were there any standout messages or narratives that reflect the current Canadian literary landscape?
This year, we noticed a strong focus on themes of mental health and mindfulness across several categories. What stood out, however, was the playful and uplifting approach many authors took to these topics, making them both accessible and empowering for readers. From a publishing perspective, we saw a near-equal split between traditionally published and independently published works, showcasing the strength and quality of Canada’s independent publishing scene. The winning authors came from diverse backgrounds, ranging from first-time writers to seasoned professionals, further reflecting the variety and inclusivity of today’s Canadian literary landscape.
How do the awards support authors beyond recognition? Are there opportunities for winners to connect with readers, publishers, or other writers?
Winning a CBCA award opens up significant opportunities for authors. Many winners see an increase in book sales, library requests, and media coverage, which in turn creates more visibility and readership. This ripple effect often leads to additional opportunities, such as invitations to literary events, retailer partnerships, and more. By promoting the winning books across our platforms and through our partnerships, we help connect authors with Canadian readers and bookstores creating a supportive ecosystem for their work to thrive.
Can you highlight any specific winner or category this year that holds special significance to you or the awards team?
While we don’t play favourites, every category has its own charm, and we encourage readers to explore the winners in the genres they love most. Each book represents an incredible achievement, and we’re so proud to celebrate all of the authors who were recognized this year.
How do you see the Canadian Book Club Awards evolving in the future? Are there plans to expand categories or include new initiatives?
We’re thrilled about the future of the awards. One of the biggest changes coming in 2025 is our rebrand to The Canadian Readers’ Choice Awards. This new name reflects the heart of what we do: empowering individual readers to shape the awards.
In addition to the rebrand, we’re working on forging new national partnerships that will allow us to offer financial awards to winners and finalists. We’re also exploring ways to expand our categories as new genres and interests emerge, ensuring the awards continue to reflect the diversity of Canadian storytelling.
What role do you think book clubs play in fostering a deeper appreciation for Canadian literature, and how does your organization support their efforts?
Book clubs play an integral role in fostering a love for Canadian literature. They provide a space where readers can connect over shared stories, exchange ideas, and deepen their appreciation for diverse perspectives. The Canadian Book Club Awards embodies this same spirit. By giving readers the power to recognize and celebrate the books that resonate most with them, we’re not dictating what should be appreciated—we’re amplifying the voices of real readers. This mirrors the grassroots appreciation that book clubs cultivate. Similarly, we value how these awards offer authors—especially those who may not qualify for other literary prizes—an opportunity to be celebrated for their contributions. These are stories that deserve recognition for their quality and impact, and it’s an honor to highlight them in this way.
What advice would you give to aspiring Canadian authors who hope to one day be recognized by the Canadian Book Club Awards?
As one of our board members and CEO of The Self Publishing Agency, Megan Williams, beautifully said, “Publishing a book will change your life. It may not be in the ways you think, but it will. And winning an award [like The Canadian Book Club Awards] will expand the conversations, credibility, and opportunities in your life.” My advice to aspiring authors is to embrace the journey of publishing and put your work out there. Writing a book is already a monumental achievement, and by submitting to awards like the CBCA, you open the door to recognition, connections, and opportunities that can truly transform your career. As Megan said, authors who put themselves forward always have more to gain than to lose.
From the Authors: What Winning Means To Me
Tósìn Peters – Letters to Untitled
Winning the 2024 Canadian Book Club Award for poetry is truly an honor, and I feel deeply grateful to be recognized. It reminds me of the power of storytelling and its impact on others.
Ignacio Cofone – The Privacy Fallacy: Harm and Power in the Information Economy
This award reflects the preferences of readers across Canada. My book aims to dismantle misconceptions about the information economy. Winning in the nonfiction/education category is especially meaningful.
Trista Lundquist – The Quiet Limit
I am incredibly honored to have been chosen as readers’ favorite YA novel. Winning this award is a validating feeling and a great motivation to continue storytelling.
Susan Jane Wright – Fortune Favors the Dead
Canadian mystery writers are often told to set their stories outside Canada. This award helps showcase Canadian stories and diverse characters to the world.
Jane Enright – Jane’s Jam: Inspiration To Create Your Super Awesome Life
I am overjoyed and grateful to receive the 2024 Canadian Book Club Award for Best Book in Spirituality Health/Wellness. This recognition affirms that my writing has helped others on their journeys of transformation.
Jayson Adams – Ares
Winning the Canadian Book Club Awards for Fantasy/Sci-Fi is a great honor. It validates my hard work and helps bring my story to a wider audience.
Evie Alexander – Love ad Lib
Being a Canadian Book Club Awards winner means the absolute world to me. It’s an honor, made even more special knowing that Canadian readers chose my book.
Kelly S. Thompson – Still I Cannot Save You
I wrote this book in the wake of my sister’s death to give her a legacy. Having readers connect with that story means everything.
Susan Wadds – What the Living Do
I’m incredibly grateful to The Canadian Book Club Awards and all the verified readers who made this possible. This award gives me hope for my future novels.
P.S. Whatever – Secrets of the Under-Under World: Water
I’m honored that my book resonates with readers across the country. This award allows me to reach even more book lovers and share themes of friendship and hope.
Sherry McMillan – My S’s are Messes
I wrote the book I wish I’d had as a child. Seeing it receive national attention is incredibly rewarding. This award affirms the impact of my writing on young readers.
Ben Sporer – Output: Optimizing Your Performance with Lessons Learned from Sport
It is an honor to be selected as the winner in the business self-help category. Output was written to simplify human performance concepts, and this recognition is humbling.
Heather Hendrie – awfully hilarious: period pieces
We are delighted to receive this award! It validates our authors’ stories and shows that conversations about women’s health, menstruation, and menopause are on the rise.
Win! All Of The Winning Titles Of The 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards!
One lucky Canadian winner will receive All Of The Winning Titles Of The 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards! To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @thecanadianbookclubawards and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens February 11, 2025 and closes February 18, 2025. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.
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