TOPIC: HOW I WROTE IT
How Leslie A. Davidson turned her most painful memories into a prize-winning story
The winner of the 2016 CBC Creative Nonfiction Prize explains how she transformed pain into peace. The 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions until Feb. 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
'The book is about truth in reconciliation:' Joseph Kakwinokanasum on his novel My Indian Summer
The member of James Smith Cree Nation shares in his own words how he wrote his debut novel My Indian Summer.
CBC Literary Prizes
How Sandra Murdock wrote the story that won the 2018 CBC Nonfiction Prize
The winner of the 2018 CBC Nonfiction Prize discusses the creative process behind Easy Family Dinners. The 2023 prize is open for submissions until Feb. 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET
What makes a family? Kern Carter explores this question in YA novel Boys and Girls Screaming
The Toronto author spoke with CBC Books about writing a coming-of-age YA novel that explores the nature of family.
Eternity Martis reflects on the challenges of being a Black university student in her first book
Eternity Martis is the author of They Said This Would Be Fun. The journalist is a juror for the 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize.
My Life in Books
5 books that inspired Elamin Abdelmahmoud, host of CBC Radio's new daily arts & culture show Commotion
The host of CBC Radio's new arts and culture show spoke with CBC Books about the nonfiction works that left a lasting impression on him.
How environmental destruction and family trees inspired Michael Christie's novel Greenwood
Greenwood is on the Canada Reads 2023 longlist.
Jamie Chai Yun Liew's debut novel Dandelion is a moving portrait of motherhood and migration
The debut author tells the story of a young woman on the brink of motherhood who embarks on a journey to find out what happened to her own mother. Dandelion is on the Canada Reads 2023 longlist.
How I Wrote It
How Becky Blake wrote the story that won the CBC Nonfiction Prize
The winner of the 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize reveals how she wrote Trust Exercise.
My Life in Books
8 books that inspired Son of a Critch star Mark Critch
The comedian and star of the new CBC comedy series Son of a Critch, based on his 2018 memoir of the same name, shared the books he loved reading.
How I Wrote It
Cottage country's winter magic is the star of Robin Lefler's romantic comedy Reasonable Adults
The Kitchener, Ont. author spoke to CBC Books about writing her debut novel during the pandemic.
How I Wrote It
Suzette Mayr's novel The Sleeping Car Porter uses magic realism to highlight Black Canadian history
The Calgary poet and author's sixth novel won the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
How I Wrote It
Pop stars Tegan and Sara take centre stage in Melody Lau's book Modern Heartthrobs
Canadian music writer Melody Lau's debut nonfiction book examines the long and evolving career of the popular twin-sister folk-pop duo.
Cary Fagan's novel The Animals is a realist novel with a primal premise
The Ontario author spoke with CBC Books about writing his latest book, a fable-like narrative that explores what happens when wild animals cohabit with the residents of a small village.
Darcy Tamayose uses magic realism to explore the immigrant experience
The Alberta author spoke with CBC Books about writing a short story collection based on magical realism and Japanese folklore. Ezra's Ghosts is a finalist for the 2022 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.
How I Wrote It
Why writing is political for essayist Sarah de Leeuw
The winner of the 2008 CBC Creative Nonfiction Prize discusses the creative process behind her new essay collection, Where It Hurts.
How I Wrote It
Chelene Knight reimagines Vancouver's historic Black neighbourhood Hogan's Alley in debut novel
Junie is the coming-of-age story of a creative young woman growing up with her difficult jazz-singer mother in Vancouver's historic Hogan's Alley neighbourhood.
How I Wrote It
Fawn Parker wrestles with the complexity of memory and trauma in the novel What We Both Know
The Canadian novelist, poet and musician's third novel, set in the wake of the #MeToo movement, takes on issues of abuse and the nature of truth.
How I Wrote It
Emma Hooper reimagines the stories of Roman Empire-era female saints in We Should Not Be Afraid of the Sky
The Canadian-born, U.K. based author of such beloved novels as Etta and Otto and Russell and James is back with a new historical novel inspired by the virgin martyr and saint Quiteria.
Kim Fu's Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century peers into the magical, transportive power of short stories
The Seattle-based Canadian author and CBC Short Story Prize juror on writing a story collection that's on the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist.
How I Wrote It
Anna Fitzpatrick's debut novel Good Girl is an honest and witty portrait of ambivalence in young adulthood
The Toronto-based writer spoke to CBC Books about writing her comic-erotic novel Good Girl.
How I Wrote It
Katie Welch's debut novel Mad Honey weaves magical realism through a mystery inspired by the natural world
Ontario-raised, B.C.-based author Katie Welch's first novel was a decade in the making — and turned out to be more of a mystery than she herself initially intended.
How I Wrote It
Méira Cook's The Full Catastrophe is a frank and funny coming-of-age story about finding your own path
The award-winning Winnipeg author's fourth novel is a story about identity, community and the journeys that secrets can set in motion.
How I Wrote It
Johnnie Christmas's graphic novel Swim Team is buoyed by themes of community, perseverance and overcoming fear
The Vancouver-based bestselling author and illustrator spoke with CBC Books about creating his new middle-grade book.
How I Wrote It
Toronto novelist Lily Chu's The Stand-In puts representation at the heart of her debut rom-com
The Canadian author scored a big win when Hamilton actor Philippa Soo signed on to voice the audiobook version of The Stand-In, her debut novel about a Toronto woman who poses as the double of a famous Chinese movie star.