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Regina, SK — Award-winning voices are coming to the stage this May as the Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) presents a dynamic lineup of author readings in Regina and Humboldt.
As part of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival (CVAF), two of Saskatchewan’s literary talents, Carol Rose GoldenEagle, and Iryn Tushabe, will read from their celebrated works on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the YWCA kikaskihtanaw Centre in Regina.
Iryn Tushabe, recipient of the 2026 SBA First Book Award, will share from her acclaimed debut novel Everything is Fine—a powerful coming-of-age story set in Uganda, while Carol Rose GoldenEagle, 2026 SBA Indigenous Peoples Writing Award recipient, will read from Joe—a bold and genre-bending novel blending vampire lore with Indigenous cultural knowledge, set in Regina Beach.
This free festival event offers audiences the chance to experience contemporary Saskatchewan literature up close in a vibrant, community setting.
Also on the literary calendar: SBA is partnering with Sage Hill at their annual Spring Reading Event to present a special reading by Kristy Jackson on Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. in Humboldt (601 Main Street). A 2026 double SBA award winner, Jackson took home both the Children’s Literature Award (Mortified) and the prestigious Book of the Year Award (Touching Grass). Joining Jackson at the Humboldt event is Kevin Chong sponsored by Sage Hill Writing.
Saskatchewan Book Awards will be hosting an author reading session at the Moose Jaw Festival of Arts on Saturday, July 18. Featured authors include: Jeanette Lynes (The Paper Birds), Melanie Schnell (The Chorus Beneath Our Feet) and tonia laird (Seventhblade).
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Kristy Jackson Named Double Winner at 33rd Annual Saskatchewan Book Awards
REGINA, SK — May 1, 2026 — Saskatoon author Kristy Jackson was the evening’s top honouree at the 33rd annual Saskatchewan Book Awards, earning two major awards at a gala held Friday, May 1st at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Regina.
Jackson’s Touching Grass (HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.) received the Book of the Year Award, sponsored by Regina Public Library. Her second title, Mortified, also published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., won the Children’s Literature Award, sponsored by the G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation.
CTV Regina journalist and Master of Ceremonies Sabeen Ahmad welcomed 190 guests representing authors, publishers, sponsors and supporters to Saskatchewan’s pre‑eminent book awards celebration. Thirteen awards were presented, including ten writing and three publishing awards, with 45 finalists selected from 174 entries representing 88 titles across 13 categories. The evening also included a tribute honouring Claire Kramer, founder of the Glengarry Book Prize.
Awards were evenly distributed between Regina‑ and Saskatoon‑based authors. Regina winners included Carol Rose GoldenEagle, who received the Indigenous Peoples Writing Award for Joe; Iryn Tushabe, winner of the First Book Award for Everything Is Fine Here (House of Anansi Press); Melanie Schnell, who received the City of Regina Book Award for The Chorus Beneath Our Feet (Radiant Press); Tea Gerbeza, winner of the SK Arts Poetry Award Honouring Anne Szumigalski for How I Bend Into More (Palimpsest Press); and Ken Wilson, awarded the Non‑Fiction Book Award Honouring Brenda MacDonald Riches for Walking the Bypass (University of Regina Press).
Other Saskatoon winners included Jeannette Lynes for her novel, The Paper Birds (Fiction Book Award), Elizabeth Quinlan for her book, Standing Up For Big Nickel (City of Saskatoon Book Award), and Cheryl Troupe for Putting Down Roots (Jennifer Welsh Scholarly Writing Award).
Three publishing awards were also presented, recognizing excellence among Saskatchewan publishers. Gabriel Dumont Institute Press received the Indigenous Peoples Publishing Award for Maddy’s Sash by Marion Gonneville. University of Regina Press was honoured with the SaskBooks Publishing in Education Award for The A Word: A Global History of the Abortion Struggle by Elizabeth Casillas and Higinia Gray, while Thistledown Press received the Creative Saskatchewan Publishing Award for Tunnel Island by Bill Gaston.
Founded in 1993, the Saskatchewan Book Awards is the province’s only provincially focused writing and publishing awards program, celebrating excellence through an independent pan-Canadian jury process.
Editors and News Directors: The SBA Winner’s List:
Saskatchewan Book Awards 2026 Award Recipients
For further information:
Office Tel: 306-569-1585 Cell: 306-530-0640
Email:
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Join us in Regina this year for Saskatchewan’s biggest night in writing and publishing! Celebrate the province’s remarkable authors, publishers, and literary leaders at the 33rd Saskatchewan Book Awards Gala & Award Ceremony.
- Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre, 1975 Broad Street, Regina
- Ticket price: $80/person
What You’ll Experience:
A Beautiful Gala Evening
Enjoy an elegant atmosphere, expert hosting, and an energy‑filled program celebrating the richness of Saskatchewan literature. During intermission, indulge in a spectacular dessert and refreshment bar while connecting with friends and literary guests.
Live Award Presentations
Celebrate outstanding books across 13 award categories, revealing the remarkable talent shaping Saskatchewan’s literary landscape.
Meet the Authors
Mingle with shortlisted authors, past winners, emerging writers, and literary leaders—your chance to connect with the voices behind the stories.
Inspire & Be Inspired
Hear the stories behind the books, celebrate creative achievement, and feel the impact of Saskatchewan’s vibrant literary community.
Photo Moments & Media Features
Strike a pose! Capture your night at the gala with event photographers and celebratory backdrops.
Exclusive Access
Be the first to congratulate the 2026 award winners and support Saskatchewan authors and publishers in a memorable and meaningful way.
For further information and/or special requests for seating arrangements at the Gala, please contact the SBA:
By email:
By telephone: 306 569-1585
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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.
2026 SBA Shortlisted Books.Finalists-04-16.pdf
For more information, please visit bookawards.sk.ca or contact:
Donna Woloshyn, Executive Director
Office: 306 569-1585
Cell: 306 530-0640
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The Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) invites submissions for the 2026 award season. Online submissions open Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and the deadline to apply is Friday, November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM (CST).
2026 Award Categories
Pending sponsorship, the following 13 awards will be offered:
- Book of the Year
- Fiction
- Non-Fiction
- Poetry
- Scholarly Writing
- First Book
- Children’s Literature *
- City of Regina Book
- City of Saskatoon Book
- Indigenous Peoples Writing
- Indigenous Peoples Publishing
- Publishing in Education
- Publishing
*Note: The Children’s Literature Award has a two-year eligibility window for books published between November 1st, 2023 and October 31st, 2025.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for adjudication, entries must meet SBA’s general and category-specific eligibility criteria. Publishers and authors may submit multiple entries, provided each meets the requirements of the category entered.
Except for the Children’s Literature Award, all books must:
- Be published between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025
- Meet all general and category-specific eligibility criteria
- Be registered online at www.bookawards.sk.ca by November 7, 2025
- Have entry fees paid by November 7, 2025
- Be received at the SBA office by 5:00 PM on November 7, 2025, or be postmarked no later than November 7, 2025
Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted without prior approval from the SBA Executive Director. Submissions received after November 14, 2025, may incur a late fee of $40 per entry, in addition to the standard $60 entry fee (total: $100 per late entry).
All eligible titles shortlisted as finalists for 2026 Book Awards will be announced at SBA’s annual Shortlist Announcement in March 2026.
Shortlisted authors and winners of the 2026 Book Awards will be honoured at the annual SBA Gala and Award Ceremony in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 1st, 2026. A targeted media campaign and reading events leading up to and following the Awards Ceremony will further promote shortlisted and winning titles. Prize money, pending sponsorship, and a certificate will be offered at the Award Ceremony. Prizes for each award are $2,000, except for Book of the Year, which offers a $3,000 prize.
Questions?
If you have questions about eligibility or the submission process, please contact the SBA office:
📞 306-569-1585
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For a more detailed description of the SBA 2026 Call for Entries And General Submission Guidelines, click on: Entry Guidelines
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The 32nd annual awards were presented to 175 enthusiastic literary fans and supporters at Saskatoon’s TCU Place on Friday, May 9th. Fourteen awards were presented at the Gala event including the Le Prix du livre Français celebrating francophone writing in Saskatchewan.