2027 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction Submission Form

Please carefully review our full submission guidelines before completing this form.

Books published between January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026, must be received on or before Friday October 2, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.

Note that submissions received by Friday August 28, 2026 at 11:59pm PST will be eligible for our discounted early bird submission fees. Submissions received after Friday August 28 will be subject to regular submission fees.

Submissions after the final deadline are deemed ineligible.

Important:

a) Submit before August 28 to qualify for the early bird submission fee for each title submitted: $75 USD or $100 CAD, based on the country/location of the publisher.

b) Submissions after August 28 but before October 2 will be subject to a regular submission fee of each title submitted: $100 USD or $125 CAD, based on the country/location of the publisher.

c) Submissions after the final deadline of October 2 will not be accepted.

d) Please be prepared with payment information before you begin the online submission process.

e) The submission fee is non-refundable. Note: Publishers whose submitted books are deemed ineligible by the Foundation will still be subject to the stated submission fee. Please review the eligibility criteria closely before submitting.

f) Accepted payment methods: credit card, check. The submission fee can be paid with a credit card via a link sent to the submitter’s email, sent after the online form is completed, or by sending a check (made out to “Carol Shields Prize Foundation”) to The Carol Shields Prize Foundation, P.O. Box 31086, RPO College Square, Toronto, ON M6G 4A7.

g) We are committed to ensuring access to publishers of all sizes. Please contact us at info@carolshieldsprizeforfiction.com if the submission fees are likely to prohibit the publisher from entering the Prize, and staff will work with the publisher to make alternate arrangements.

Author Name*

First NameLast Name

Translator Name* (if applicable)

First NameLast Name

Book Title

Publishing Company Name

Imprint Name

I confirm that the author is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States.

I confirm that the book submitted is by a woman or non-binary writer.

If applicable, I confirm that the book submitted is translated by a woman or non-binary translator who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States.

Author Pronouns

e.g. she/her, they/them, etc.

If applicable, Translator Pronouns

e.g. she/her, they/them, etc.

Author Residency

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Country

I attest that should the author be shortlisted for the Prize, they will attend the prize event in 2027. If relevant, travel expenses will be covered by the Prize.

I attest that should the author be shortlisted for the Prize, they will agree to assist with reasonable promotional efforts such as interviews, readings, and appearances, in the months surrounding the Prize announcement. The Prize will ensure that authors be reimbursed for expenses incurred in service of promoting the Prize.

Author Biography (PDF, approximately 100 words)

Please name file "Biography_AuthorLastName_AuthorFirstName." Please note that should the title be longlisted for the Prize, this is the biography which will be circulated on our social media and to press.

If applicable, Translator Biography (PDF, approximately 100 words)

Please name file "Biography_TranslatorLastName_TranslatorFirstName." Please note that should the title be longlisted for the Prize, this is the biography which will be circulated on our social media and to press.

High-Resolution Author Photo (.JPG)

Please note that this is the photo the Prize will use in marketing materials if the book is longlisted for the Prize. Please confirm that this is the highest resolution photo possible. Please name file "AuthorPhoto_AuthorLastName_FirstName_NameofPhotographer"

Name of Photographer

If applicable, High-Resolution Translator Photo (.JPG)

Please note that this is the photo the Prize will use in marketing materials if the book is longlisted for the Prize. Please confirm that this is the highest resolution photo possible. Please name file "AuthorPhoto_AuthorLastName_FirstName_NameofPhotographer"

Name of Photographer

I confirm that the Carol Shields Prize Foundation has permission to use the image(s) in our promotional materials.

I confirm that the originating publisher and imprint is based in Canada or the United States.

I confirm that the book is/will be made available in bookstores in Canada or the United States.

I confirm that should the submitted title be shortlisted, the publisher agrees to help market and promote the book

I confirm that should the submitted title win, the publisher agrees to promote the book and author on the publisher's website, on the publisher's social media, and to collaborate with the Prize in seeking key media interviews.

Publisher Contact Name (in the event your author is longlisted or shortlisted)

First NameLast Name

Publisher Contact Number (in the event your author is longlisted or shortlisted)

example: 555-555-5555

Publisher Contact Email (in the event your author is longlisted or shortlisted)

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

Publicity & Marketing Contact Name

First NameLast Name

Publicity & Marketing Contact Email

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

Publisher Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Book Publication Date

Date

Book Description (PDF, approximately 150 words)

Please name file "BookDescription_BookTitle"

PDF Copy

Please name file "DigitalCopy_BookTitle"

EPUB Copy (if available)

Please name file "EPUB_BookTitle"

High-Resolution Book Cover Image (.JPG)

Please note that this is the image which will be used should the title be longlisted for the Prize. Please use the highest resolution available. Please name file "BookCoverImage_BookTitle"

Upload a list of all eligible fiction scheduled for publication between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Be sure to include title, imprint, author, and date of publication on the list. Please indicate which two (2) books per imprint will be submitted.

By submitting a title, the publisher confirms the book was published by a publishing house with a professional editorial process, independent of the authors. Authors must not pay for the publishing house’s editorial, marketing, or publicity services. Self-published books are ineligible.

By submitting a title, the publisher confirms the book does not contain AI-generated text in part or in whole.

By submitting a title, the publisher agrees that they have read, understood, and agree with the terms and conditions of the prize.

Name of Authorized Signing Officer

First NameLast Name

I would like to subscribe to the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction mailing list to receive the latest news about submissions, programs, and more.

How will you pay the submission fee?

Pay by Check: I will send a check to the amount of $75.00 USD or $100.00 CAD (made out to "The Carol Shields Prize Foundation") to The Carol Shields Prize Foundation, PO Box 31086, RPO College Square, Toronto, ON M6G 4A7, Canada. On the "memo" section of the check, I will indicate the name of the title submitted.

Contact Email for Processing Payment: Please note an email will be sent to this address with a link to a payment form in the currency indicated above.

Confirmation Emailexample@example.com

2027 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction Submission Form

Book File Uploads

List of Eligible Titles

Online Payments