Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction

えどな・すてーぶらーしょう（そうぞうてきのんふぃくしょんぶもん）

Annual literary award recognizing the first or second work of emerging Canadian writers in creative non-fiction with geographical and cultural significance to Canada.

creative non-fictionNonfictionCanadian literaturedebut/early-career writers

Established: 1991
Organizer: Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Arts
Category: Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around September
Status: Active

Description

The Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction is an annual award given to the first or second work by Canadian writers in creative non-fiction that has local or cultural significance to Canada. Established in 1991 with funds donated by Edna Staebler, it is administered by Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Arts. Only submitted books are considered for selection, and the award is given or withheld at the discretion of the selection committee. Prize money is C$10,000.

Prize

Main Prize: C$10,000 cash prize (main)
Cash Prize: 10,000 CAD

Publicity and recognition upon winning (university and media announcements)
Listing as an achievement in award history

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Entry (submission)	Submissions are accepted by the organizers and become subject to review (submission system)	—	Only submitted books are subject to review
Shortlist selection	Selection committee (panel) appointed by Wilfrid Laurier University	—	Shortlist is announced via university and media
Final selection (winner determination)	Selection committee (panel)	—	Winner is announced through the university and press

Entry (submission)

Judges Submissions are accepted by the organizers and become subject to review (submission system)

Announcement Only submitted books are subject to review

Shortlist selection

Judges Selection committee (panel) appointed by Wilfrid Laurier University

Announcement Shortlist is announced via university and media

Final selection (winner determination)

Judges Selection committee (panel)

Announcement Winner is announced through the university and press

Criteria

Geographical or cultural meaning and importance to Canada (Canadian locale and/or significance)
Author is Canadian (Canadian writer)
The work is the author's first or second book
The work is creative non-fiction (using literary techniques, not mere journalistic description)
Formally submitted work (submission system)

Application Tips

Dos

Check the entry rules and submit required documents accurately within the deadline
Clearly ensure the work meets the definition of 'creative non-fiction' (literary techniques, sharing of experiences)
Demonstrate the Canadian significance (location, cultural connection) of the work
Explicitly indicate that it is the author's first or second work
Thoroughly refine the structure, proofreading, and storytelling

Don''ts

Do not submit purely reportorial or informational writing
Do not apply if eligibility is not met (e.g., third work or later)
Do not send with deficiencies in required submissions
Do not plagiarize others' works or materials

From Judges

Creative non-fiction is fact-based, but narrative quality and emotional transmission are crucial
Emphasize depictions that convey 'Canadian character' or sense of place to the reader
Polish even short excerpts or summaries to convey the charm of your writing style