The Grand Prix du livre de Montréal was established in 1965. It aims to promote excellence in literary creation and highlight Montréal’s thriving publishing scene, while raising public awareness of Québec literature by recognizing a newly published work of exceptional quality and originality.

The coveted Grand Prix du livre de Montréal has taken its place among Québec’s most prestigious literary distinctions, which make an active contribution to the dissemination of a work. The award honours authors and outstanding works published in Québec. The Grand Prix du livre de Montréal is awarded annually in November, a few days prior to the opening of the Salon du livre de Montréal, and the winner is selected by a five-person jury.

The city offers a cash prize of $15,000 to the author or co-authors of a work published in French or English for its exceptional quality and originality. The remaining four finalists receive a cash prize of $1,000.

All the publications named as finalists are acquired and made available in the city’s 45 libraries, with at least one copy of each title held in every library. As well, all the titles in the jury’s selection are included in the collections held in Montréal libraries. When available, audio, digital and digital audio versions of the works are acquired.

The Grand Prix du livre de Montréal produces and provides promotional materials to publishers, bookstores and libraries in order to promote the award-winning works.

The presentation of the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal can be preceded by other events promoting the books and the finalists. By agreeing to be named to the jury’s selection, the authors and publishers undertake to do everything in their power to attend the presentation ceremony and the promotional activities.

Any publication can be submitted, whether it be an original work, a scholarly work, a compilation or a reference work of a literary, artistic, social or historical nature, provided that it meets the following criteria, and failing which the jury will not consider it:

• Published for the first time* and available on the market between June 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022.
• Published in French or English.
• Written by a Montréal-based author or publisher.
• Must have an international standard book number (ISBN).
• Must meet the submission deadline.

*Poetry collections and essays containing excerpts already published in magazines are admissible.

The following types of works are excluded:

• Works for young readers
• Anthologies
• Co-creations by more than three people
• Posthumous publications
• Works by an author who sits on the jury or secretariat for the award, or by an immediate family member
• Translations
• Reprints or reissues
• Self publications
• Publications in formats other than print

The jury is representative of various publishing sectors and of Montréal’s contemporary intellectual and literary currents. Jury members pledge not to sit on the board of directors, executive committee, review board or editorial committee of any publisher. In addition, they may not be Montréal public servants. The jury is chaired by a cultural figure appointed to a three-year term by Montréal’s Service de la Culture. The jury chair does not have a vote.

In addition to the chairperson, the city selects the jury members.

One-third of the jury is renewed annually. Members may not sit on the jury for more than three consecutive years or more than five times in any 10-year period. Gender equity and diversity targets are determined and prioritized when the jury is renewed.

• Jury selection
• Finalists
• Winner

All books eligible for the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal are submitted to the jury and distributed equally among the jury members, in reading pairs chosen at random. Consequently, all books are read by at least two members, who come up with a pre-selection.

All works pre-selected by the jury move on to the second round and must be read by all jury members. These works are then discussed and debated, and the jury agrees on a selection of 10 of the most noteworthy titles. In case of a disagreement, an individual secret ballot may be cast. The jury then debates further and proceeds to a secret ballot to determine the finalists and winner. The book with the highest score is declared the winner, and the books with the four subsequent highest scores are named finalists. The jury’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.

In good and due form, the publisher, on behalf of the author, must include the name of the admissible work on the registration form. Submissions must include seven copies and the registration form and must be forwarded to the address on the form by the appointed deadline.

All publications submitted will remain at the disposal of the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal and will not be returned.

Submissions must be received by no later than:

• January 28, 2022 for books published between June 1, 2021 and November 30, 2021.
• May 31, 2022 for books published between December 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022.

November 2022

For details, please click here.