Carol Shields Prize for Fiction

The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction honors fiction by women and non-binary writers in Canada and the United States. It is named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Carol Shields, who was born in the U.S. and spent her writing life in Canada. Conceived by Susan Swan, Janice Zawerbny and Don Oravec, the prize was first awarded in 2023, when Fatimah Asghar won for When We Were Sisters. Novels, short story collections and graphic novels written for adult readers are eligible, and the prize counts trans women as women with no further conditions.

Publishers based in Canada or the U.S. submit books first released in those markets, including English translations. A jury chosen by the foundation's authors committee names a longlist in March, a shortlist of five in April and a winner in May. The winner receives US$150,000 and each of the four other finalists receives US$12,500. If a translated book wins, the author and translator divide the award.

Novels, short story collections and graphic novels for adult readers by women and non-binary writers, first published by a U.S. or Canadian publisher, including English translations.