The West Coast Book Prize Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting the literary achievements of authors, illustrators, and publishers in British Columbia and Yukon. Incorporated with the business registration number 119262251RR0001, the Society administers the BC and Yukon Book Prizes, an annual series of prestigious literary awards that celebrate excellence in writing across multiple categories.

History and Purpose

Established in 1985, the BC and Yukon Book Prizes have been administered by the West Coast Book Prize Society since their inception. The Society’s mission is to highlight and promote the work of the region’s literary community through awards, related programming, and advocacy. By honoring outstanding books and their creators, the Society helps raise the profile of British Columbia and Yukon literature at both the regional and national levels.

BC and Yukon Book Prizes

The BC and Yukon Book Prizes are the Society’s flagship program, awarded annually in eight categories including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. Each category features a shortlist of finalists, from which judges select a winner. The awards collectively include cash prizes totaling approximately $19,000, providing both recognition and financial support to writers and publishers.

The annual winners are celebrated at a gala event held in Vancouver, which also includes the presentation of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence and the Borealis Prize: The Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Contribution. The awards ceremony serves as a key cultural event within the literary calendar of the region.

Governance and Operations

The Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee operations, fundraising, and strategic direction. In recent years, key personnel have included Executive Directors responsible for managing the production and promotion of the awards and related events. The organization collaborates closely with local publishers, authors, and illustrators to ensure the awards remain relevant and reflective of the region’s literary diversity.

Impact and Recognition

Over its more than four decades of activity, the West Coast Book Prize Society has played a crucial role in fostering the literary arts in British Columbia and Yukon. By recognizing excellence and providing public exposure to the region’s writers and publishers, the Society contributes to a vibrant cultural landscape and helps sustain the creative economy.

Authors recognized by the Society have gone on to achieve national and international acclaim, highlighting the importance of regional literary awards in nurturing literary talent.

Note: This article is based on information sourced from publicly available data about the West Coast Book Prize Society and its administration of the BC and Yukon Book Prizes.