2026 CANREADS Finalists

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CANREADS Spotlight Recipients

In our inaugural year, we received over 400 submissions from across Canada, reflecting an extraordinary range of voices and perspectives. While our award categories follow a structured evaluation process to determine winners and finalists, the Spotlight provides an opportunity to recognize select works and authors who stood out to our judges in a different way.

Spotlight recipients are acknowledged for one of several distinct reasons. In some cases, a book demonstrated exceptional quality and came very close to finalist distinction. In others, an author reached a meaningful personal or professional milestone, showed notable entrepreneurial initiative, or shared a story shaped by significant life experience or adversity. These recognitions are not based on competitive ranking alone, but on the broader impact of a writer’s journey or contribution.

With hundreds of submissions, narrowing any list is a difficult task. The Spotlight allows us to formally honour those whose work or path merited special acknowledgement beyond the standard award results.

2026 CANREADS Spotlight Recipients

Nothing But White Ash by Boni Wagner-Stafford
Letters of Redemption by Vince Santoro
Death & His Brother by D.E. Ring
Callow (Ardenti Terra Series, Book 1) by Nicole Scholl
Against the Machine: Luddites by Brian Van Norman
Lessons in Philanthropy: The Legacy of Barb McInnes as shared with Glenn McInnes
Those We Carry by Scott Saxberg
The Principal Chronicles Two/Too/II/As Well by David Garlick
Courage and a Castle: A Tribute to a Remarkable Woman by Jeanne Martinson
Externalities by D. McCall Johnston
The Wantrepreneur: Take the Decision by Leonardo Vasquez
Morgan Moose Visits New Brunswick Provincial Parks! by Kimothy Stewart
Blaze Peppergrove and the Web of Lies by Lisa Adair
Mindy and the Rescue Crew: The Unwelcome Visitors by Geri Storey
How I Learned to Pee in the Forest by Sharon Neiss Arbess
The Chronicles of Paisley • Corners by Cheryl van Daalen-Smith
Our Life Our Way A Memoir of Active Faith, Profound Love and Courageous Disability Rights by Christine Robinson
Breaking Trail: From Complex Trauma to Command by Lee-Ann F. O'Brien
Two Sides to a Face: My Journey with Sturge Weber Syndrome by Chelsey Peat
Under His Divine Gaze: A Spiritual Memoir by Monique Pilon-Fraschetti
Revenge is Not Enough by Angela Van Breeman
Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose by Michelle Schafer
Abbot Lane by Jim Layeux
Sanctity of Freedom by Peter Pontas
Here Comes the Sun: A 1960s Story of Travel, Adventure, and Self-Discovery by Alan Bryce
Living in the Land of Uprights: A Story About Thomas Voss Sorensen by Kathy Sorensen
Quantum by Irina Moga

What's Next?

2026 CANREADS Awards Ceremony & Literary Industry Mixer

This is a landmark inaugural evening designed to establish a lasting literary tradition in Canada. We strongly encourage all authors—finalists and entrants alike—to attend and invite their loved ones.

This is your opportunity to be seen, build meaningful industry connections, and strengthen your place within Canada’s publishing landscape.

Secure Your Tickets

Submissions Are Now Open for the 2027 CANREADS Awards

2026 CANREADS Awards Ceremony & Literary Industry Mixer

As we look ahead to 2027, we invite authors and publishers to submit their work and take part in the next chapter of CANREADS.

Enter your book

2026 CANREADS FINALISTS