Good and Hozar Named Giller Prize Finalists
The two authors have been shortlisted for the prestigious annual Canadian fiction award.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Books
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Michelle Good and Nazanine Hozar have been named as finalists for the 2026 Giller Prize. The award ceremony for the $100,000 prize will take place on November 16, 2026.
Why it matters
The Giller Prize is a cornerstone of the Canadian literary landscape that offers significant financial support and national recognition to local authors. Being named a finalist highlights these writers as prominent voices in contemporary Canadian fiction.
The Giller Prize awards a $100,000 purse to the winning author. The competition recognizes Canadian fiction and will announce the final winner this November.
The players
Michelle Good
A British Columbia-based author who was previously longlisted for the Giller Prize in 2020 and won CBC's Canada Reads in 2022.
Nazanine Hozar
A Vancouver-based author who was born in Tehran and is currently a finalist for the Giller Prize.
The details
Michelle Good, based in British Columbia, is nominated for her work Eliza Sunshine, which depicts three women navigating adversity. Nazanine Hozar, a Vancouver resident, earned her spot with The Small Ones, a novel that follows an 80-year-old protagonist reflecting on his life.
Timeline
Michelle Good was previously on the 2020 Giller Prize longlist.
Michelle Good won CBC's Canada Reads in 2022.
The Giller Prize finalists were officially announced on October 10, 2026.
The award winner will be announced in November 2026.
The awards ceremony takes place on November 16, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
Industry Dynamics
The Giller Prize remains a primary indicator of prestige within the Canadian publishing sector, often serving as a catalyst for increased readership and sales. Its annual selection process highlights shifts in literary themes and spotlights emerging talent against established figures.
Readers interested in these works can access the nominated novels through major Canadian retailers and local libraries. The final award ceremony will be available for public viewing on November 16, 2026, via CBC platforms.
The takeaway
The nomination of Good and Hozar reinforces the prominence of regional authors in the national literary conversation. Readers can track these authors' careers to discover emerging trends in contemporary Canadian storytelling.
What happens next
The Giller Prize winner will be announced during an awards ceremony on November 16, 2026, which will be broadcast on CBC platforms at 9 p.m. ET.
Further reading
For more on the current literary scene, visit Books.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBC News.
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