City of Vancouver Book Award

The annual City of Vancouver Book Award has been recognizing authors of excellence of any genre since 1989. These authors contribute to the appreciation and understanding of Vancouver's diversity, history, unique character, or the achievements of its residents.

The $3,000 prize is funded by our Publishing Reserve, which was established in 1977 as a permanent legacy for Vancouver writers and publishers.

The winning book can be of any genre and should demonstrate excellence in content, illustration, design, or format. It will also deepen our understanding of Vancouver, including its place on the traditional, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and people from across the world who have imbued Vancouver’s cultural landscape with the qualities, landmarks, and stories that make our city recognizable and distinct.

A peer selection committee selects the finalist titles and the winning book from all submissions received. As a step towards integrating cultural equity and accessibility in the assessment process, Cultural Services has adopted policy to exceed 50% representation of people from underrepresented communities in all of its assessment bodies for grants and awards.

Underrepresented communities include ​​​​​​​xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and people who identify as Indigenous, Black people and people of African descent, people of colour and racialized people, people with disabilities, disabled people, and people who live with mental health challenges, Deaf and hard of hearing people, LGBTQ2+ and gender diverse people, low-income people, refugees, newcomers, and undocumented people, minority language communities, women and girls, youth, and seniors.