Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction

ひらりーうぇすとんらいたーずとらすとのんふぃくしょんしょう

Canada's most lucrative nonfiction prize, awarded annually by the Writers' Trust of Canada to the best nonfiction work by a Canadian writer. Since 2023, the prize is CA$75,000.

NonfictionCanadian literature awardsEnglish-language literature awards

Established: 1997
Organizer: Writers' Trust of Canada
Category: Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around November
Status: Active

Description

The Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction is a literary award presented annually by Writers' Trust of Canada to Canadian nonfiction works. Established in 1997, it is regarded as one of the highest prize money nonfiction awards in Canada. Since 2011, philanthropist Hilary Weston has been the sponsor. The winner (currently) receives CA$60,000, and each finalist receives CA$5,000. Sponsors have included Viacom at the time of establishment, followed by Pearson Canada (1999–), Nereus Financial (2006–2008), and Hilary Weston took over in 2011. In 2023, the Weston International Award (international category) was introduced.

Prize

Main Prize: Winner receives CA$60,000. All finalists each receive CA$5,000.
Cash Prize: 60,000 CAD

Each finalist receives CA$5,000
Historically, before 2011, winner CA$15,000, finalists CA$2,000
Weston International Award (International Award) introduced in 2023 with prize money CA$75,000 (international category)

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Submission/Nomination	Selection committee (selected by Writers' Trust each year)	—	—
Shortlist selection	Selected judging panel narrows down candidates	—	Shortlist is usually announced around September each year on Writers' Trust official site and media reports
Winner selection and announcement	The same judging panel selects the winning work	—	Winner is officially announced every fall (mainly October to November)

Submission/Nomination

Judges Selection committee (selected by Writers' Trust each year)

Shortlist selection

Judges Selected judging panel narrows down candidates

Announcement Shortlist is usually announced around September each year on Writers' Trust official site and media reports

Winner selection and announcement

Judges The same judging panel selects the winning work

Announcement Winner is officially announced every fall (mainly October to November)

Criteria

Being the most outstanding nonfiction work (quality and expressiveness of the work)
Author being a Canadian writer
Depth of research and reporting, originality, impact on readers, etc., are also considered

Application Tips

Dos

Check official application/nomination guidelines in advance (deadlines, submission formats, etc.)
Make it clear that the book is nonfiction
Since submissions are often through publishers or agents, coordinate in advance
Thoroughly edit and proofread the work, and prepare a summary and letters of recommendation

Don''ts

Do not ignore deadlines or guidelines and submit in an incorrect format
Do not submit manuscripts that are insufficiently edited
Do not apply if you do not meet the eligibility criteria (being a Canadian writer)