Encouraging the best debut LGBTQ2S+ writers in Canada
Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers
Highlights
Prize
Winner $12,000
Finalists $2,000
Important Dates
Shortlist announcement: Sep 16, 2026
Winner announcement: Nov 10, 2026
Questions? Please contact:
Devon Jackson, Associate Program Director
djackson@writerstrust.com
About the Prize
The Dayne Ogilvie Prize is presented annually to a Canadian writer from the LGBTQ2S+ community for a debut book in any genre.
An increase to the prize purse from $10,000 to $12,000 was announced at the 2025 awards event. The Dayne Ogilvie Prize was founded by Robin Pacific and is supported by the Dayne Ogilvie Endowment Fund, Anuja Varghese and the Writers' Trust Prize Fund.
2026 Finalists
Nightnursing
Tiana Reid
icehouse poetry
My Great-Grandfather Danced Ballet
Misha Solomon
Brick Books
The recognition gives a lot of agency, power, and love back to those of us who are producing and writing right now.
– Joshua Whitehead
2018 Dayne Ogilivie Prize finalist
Prize History
The Dayne Ogilvie Prize was established in 2007 by Robin Pacific in memory of her friend, editor and literary manager Dayne Ogilvie. It honours outstanding debut books by LGBTQ2S+ writers of any age and in any genre. Books published between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025 were eligible for this year’s prize. Past winners include Michael V. Smith, Zoe Whittall, Farzana Doctor, Kai Cheng Thom, Jillian Christmas, francesca ekwuyasi, Anuja Varghese, and most recently, Anthony Oliveira.
Supporter
The Dayne Ogilvie Prize was founded by Robin Pacific and is supported by the Dayne Ogilvie Endowment Fund, Anuja Varghese, and the Writers’ Trust Prize Fund.