Victoria Celebrates Talented Authors at 2025 Book Prizes

Victoria’s vibrant literary scene was on full display on November 18, 2025, as the city honored its outstanding authors at the annual Victoria Book Prizes ceremony held at Government House. The event, hosted by the lieutenant governor of British Columbia, Wendy Cocchia, recognized three exceptional writers whose works reflect the rich diversity of Greater Victoria’s literary talent.

Among the winners, Barbara Black received the prestigious City of Victoria Book Prize for her collection, Little Fortified Stories. This compilation features imaginative tales inspired by art, music, and personal family narratives. Black’s work has garnered international acclaim, highlighted by her recent trip to Greece where she accepted the Grand Prize at the 2024 Eyelands Book Awards.

The City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize went to celebrated author Uma Krishnaswami for her latest book, Birds on the Brain. This sequel to her well-received novel Book Uncle and Me follows the journey of young bird enthusiast Reeni as she mobilizes her community to protect the city’s bird population. Krishnaswami returned from India just before the ceremony, where her book was also shortlisted for the NEEV Literature Festival.

Melanie Siebert was honored with the inaugural DC Reid Poetry Book Prize for her collection, Signal Infinities. This work has been praised for its deep exploration of empathy, trauma, and resilience. Siebert’s first collection, Deepwater Vee, was previously a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award in Poetry.

During the ceremony, Victoria’s Mayor Marianne Alto expressed her admiration for the award recipients, stating, “Victoria’s writers enrich our community with their creativity and insight. The book prizes remind us that our local literary scene is vibrant and inspiring.”

The awards concluded a series of community events featuring the nine shortlisted authors. Activities included a panel discussion at Camosun College and an engaging evening of poetry at Caffe Fantastico, attracting local readers, students, and writers to celebrate regional literature.

This year marked the introduction of the DC Reid Poetry Book Prize, a community initiative honoring the contributions of poet and arts advocate DC Reid. Reid has been instrumental in supporting the Victoria Book Prizes and national literary programs, particularly those aiding poets facing financial challenges through the Writers’ Trust of Canada.

The annual Victoria Book Prizes are open to writers who have resided in the Capital Regional District for at least two years. They are made possible through the collaboration of various community partners, including local businesses, arts advocates, and the City of Victoria, reflecting the strong commitment to nurturing literary talent in the region.