Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy
Eligibility, Guidelines & Fees
Updated: November 2024

Criteria

The Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy honours excellence in the Speculative Fiction genre, which the Canadian Children’s Book Centre describes in two categories: Science Fiction and Fantasy, as defined below. The celebration of diversity is an equally significant element to achieving excellence. A work of excellence in Canadian children’s literature should also be successful in making people feel a sense of belonging.

• Science Fiction literature includes stories of time travel, alternate or re-imagined histories, dystopias and utopias, alien contact and/or invasion, steampunk, and space operas.
• Fantasy literature includes domestic, heroic, and urban fantasies, and can include stories of the paranormal, domestic magic, faeries, and talking animals or animate toys.
• The book should be of high literary quality and the story should be believable according to the rules/conventions/criteria of the story’s world/setting; the plot should be comprehensive and consistent.
• The story should have well-developed and complex characters whose actions are consistent with their personalities.
• Elements of the story that draw upon or are inspired by real cultures, folklore and history should be done respectfully and authentically.
• The story should cover new and interesting topics, or familiar topics covered in new ways, demonstrating the rich imagination of the author.
• The award is for the book. The award will go to the author unless 40% or more of the text area is composed of original illustrations, in which case the award will be divided equally between author and illustrator.
• If the winning title is a translated work, the prize will be split 70% to the author and 30% to the translator. In the case of illustrated works, the prize will be split equally between the author and illustrator; the author will retain 70% of their portion with 30% being awarded to the translator.

Eligibility Requirements

• Books must be published between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
• Both the author and illustrator (if applicable) must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada (minimum two-year residency), or First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of the land that is now called Canada.
• No posthumous submissions.
• Books may be published in Canada or abroad.
• Books must be first foreign or first Canadian editions. New editions or re-issues of previously published titles are not eligible for submission.
• Books must be in English.
• Translations are eligible, provided the translator is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada (minimum two-year residency), or First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of the land that is now called Canada.
• The book should be aimed at young readers aged eight to 18 years old. Adult books are not eligible.
• Graphic novels are eligible.
• Picture books are not eligible.
• Short story collections by more than one author are not eligible.
• Stories must be original; while stories inspired by classic works such as fairy tales are permissible, retellings of original stories are not.
• Books written as part of a series or published in serial form will be judged as separate entries and must function as a ‘stand-alone’ story.
• The award is only for books in the printed format, as distinct from digital (i.e., ebooks) and audio-visual formats.
• Books in manuscript form are not eligible.
• All books must have an ISBN and be distributed in Canada.
• Self-published books are eligible for submission provided they have a valid ISBN.

Publisher and Creator Expectations

• Publishers agree to pay the $35 non-refundable submission fee per title per award.
• If a book is shortlisted, the publisher, author and illustrator may be asked to participate in a series of events highlighting and promoting the shortlisted author and illustrator, in addition to the award celebration.
• The CCBC is unable to assume the costs for travel and accommodation. It is our hope that publishers will assist the award winner(s) with providing the resources for attending the in-person awards ceremony (should we be able to hold an in-person event) or for creating an acceptance speech video of appropriate quality should the creator(s) be unable to attend an in-person event.
• Publishers agree to prepare and encourage their authors and illustrators to participate in all reasonable publicity associated with the award: interviews, readings, appearances, etc.
• Publishers agree to spend an appropriate sum on media advertising the winning book (i.e., whatever your advertising budget allows).

Submission Fees

There is a $35 non-refundable fee for each title submitted to each of the CCBC book awards. Therefore, if, for example, you have a title that is eligible for three of the awards and you would like it considered for all three awards, the submission fee for that particular title is $105 ($35 x 3). The fees will be used to offset administration costs, as well as costs associated with the presentation of the awards.