The Whistler Independent Book Awards

Established in 2016 to recognize excellence in Canadian self-publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards offers prizes in three categories: fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. There are three finalists in each category, with the winners being announced at the annual Whistler Writers Festival.

The Whistler Independent Book Awards are sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Jointly administered by the Whistler Writing Society, Canadian Authors and Vivalogue Publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBAs) provide independent authors with the opportunity to have their work recognized through a juried process typically reserved for trade-published titles.

To support independent authors, this competition provides each and every book with a valuable, constructive critique of the submission, which can be quoted for publicity and promotional purposes.

The Writers' Union of Canada The Whistler Independent Book awards are sponsored by the Writers’ Union of Canada, the national organization of professionally published authors. Now over 2,100 members strong, the Union was founded in 1973 to work with governments, publishers, booksellers, and readers to improve the conditions of Canadian writers.

Entries for the 2023 Whistler Independent Book Awards are now closed. The shortlist will be announced June 1, 2023.

Eligibility

Authors must be either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
The author must have paid all costs associated with the production of the book
All entries must be available for purchase in physical form (ebook-only publications not eligible)

Please refer to the WIBA Competition Terms & FAQs for more information.

Selection Process

Shortlisting

Books must be submitted in physical form from March 1 to April 30, 2023
All submissions will be evaluated by a member of the shortlisting committee
Entries deemed to have exceptional merit in each category will be shortlisted
The shortlist will be announced June 1, 2023

Finalist selection

All shortlisted titles will be submitted to Canadian Authors
Appointees of Canadian Authors will provide a written review of each title and will select three finalists in each category, in conjunction with Vivalogue Publishing
Finalists will be announced July 17, 2023

Winner’s Selection

Finalist entries will be submitted to a two-person judging panel
Each judge will provide a written review of each title
Winning entries will be announced at the Literary Cabaret event held as part of the Whistler Writers Festival

Prizes

All entries will receive:

A review from a member of the Selection Committee (Canadian Authors)

Shortlisted authors will receive:

A certificate confirming their right to brand their title as “Shortlisted for the Whistler Independent Book Award 2023”
100 award stickers suitable for use on the book’s cover
Inclusion on the Whistler Independent Book Awards website with a link to the author’s website
One review provided by an appointee of Canadian Authors

Finalists will receive:

A certificate confirming their right to brand their title as “Finalist for the Whistler Independent Book Award 2023”
100 award stickers suitable for use on the book’s cover
Inclusion in the Whistler Writers Festival official program guide
An invitation to participate in a reading event during the Whistler Writers Festival
An invitation to attend the Finalists’ Reception at the Whistler Writers Festival
One complimentary ticket to the Literary Cabaret event (additional tickets will be available for purchase)
An opportunity to sell their books throughout the Festival (Note: Vivalogue Publishing will process all sales and will retain 25% of the purchase price)
One review from each of the two final judges

Winners will receive:

The prizes listed above
100 Winners Stickers suitable for use on the book’s cover
An award presented at the Literary Cabaret by the event sponsor
An invitation to participate as a panelist during the Whistler Writers Festival
Inclusion in a full-page advertisement in Write magazine, highlighting the winning authors
One-year free subscription to Write magazine
One-year membership in Canadian Authors
Reading event hosted by a branch of Canadian Authors

Fee

$125 plus GST per fiction, non-fiction or children’s book entry (Paypal, credit card, or cheque made payable to Vivalogue Publishing)
All entries will receive an evaluation from a member of the selection committee / Canadian Authors

WIBA 2023 Shortlist Announced

The Whistler Independent Book Awards 2023 shortlist! The best Canadian self-published fiction, non-fiction and children's books.

WIBA 2022 Winners

WIBA 2022 Finalists

WIBA 2022 Shortlist

AWARD PARTNERS

The Canadian Authors Association offer aspiring, emerging, and professional writers opportunities and resources to hone their writing and business skills, network with others, and thrive in a community of like-minded professionals. Members from across Canada participate as reviewers, while the Metro Vancouver chapter selects the finalists in each category.

The Whistler Writing Society was founded in 2001 and became a non-profit organization in 2005. Our group includes over 150 members living in the Sea to Sky corridor. From its inception, the group has promoted the literary arts, provided a forum for local writers to develop their craft within the community, and sponsored events such as the Whistler Writers Festival, the Whistler Writer in Residence Program and the Author in Schools Program.

Vivalogue Publishing was established in 2010 with branches in Canada and the United Kingdom. They have provided author services, including editing, design and production, to self-publishing authors. Vivalogue also provides publishing services for non-profits and groups to create fund- and awareness-raising books.