The Saskatchewan Book Awards’ 2026 Shortlist Announcement, held over the noon hour on Friday, March 6, 2026, at both the Regina Public Library and Saskatoon Public Library, drew a diverse audience to the first major event of the 2026 book award season.
In Regina, Ev Bishop, Writer in Residence at the Regina Public Library and Master of Ceremonies, welcomed authors, publishers, and supporters of the literary community who gathered in anticipation of the announcement. In Saskatoon, Jack Walton, Chair of the Saskatchewan Book Awards, served as the event’s MC.
This year, forty‑five books—representing the very best of Saskatchewan’s writing and publishing community—were shortlisted from eighty-eight books entered across thirteen award categories. Each award carries a $2,000 prize, except for Book of the Year, which offers a $3,000 prize. All awards will be presented by their respective sponsors at the annual awards ceremony in May.
“The Book Awards are not just about prizes,” said Donna Woloshyn. “We are about providing a space for Saskatchewan authors—and especially new and emerging voices—along with their publishers, to be honoured and promoted.”
Founded in 1993, the Saskatchewan Book Awards is the only provincially focused book awards program in Saskatchewan. It serves as an ambassador for the province’s vibrant literary community and has earned national recognition for celebrating excellence in writing. The thirteen award categories offered this year are diverse, reflective of Saskatchewan’s literary output, and responsive to emerging areas of interest. Award winners are selected through a rigorous adjudication process involving 39 jurors from across Canada.
The 33rd Saskatchewan Book Awards Gala and Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 1st, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre in Regina. Tickets are $80 and available online at www.bookawards.sk.ca.
Editors and News Directors: click below for the shortlist.
Click here for Saskatchewan Book Awards’ 2026 Shortlist
For more information, please visit bookawards.sk.ca or contact:
Donna Woloshyn, Executive Director
Office: 306 569-1585
Cell: 306 530-0640