Waterloo-based author Laura MacGregor has been awarded the 2025 CBC Nonfiction Prize for her narrative, “The Invisible Woman.” The honor includes a $6,000 prize from the Canada Council for the Arts and a two-week writing retreat at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. MacGregor’s story appeared on CBC Books.
For those interested in similar writing contests, submissions for the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize are open until November 1, 4:59 p.m. ET. The entries should be original, unpublished short fiction with a word limit of up to 2,500 words.
MacGregor is an author, former academic, and a mother of three sons, one of whom faced significant disabilities and medical complexities for twenty years. Seeking solace from caregiving, she pursued a PhD in her fifties and later enrolled in The Writer’s Studio at SFU following her son’s passing in 2020.
The jury, comprising Zoe Whittall, Danny Ramadan, and Helen Knott, commended MacGregor’s piece as a poignant exploration of the challenges and emotions tied to caring for a medically fragile child. They admired how the story shed light on the struggles and unrecognized efforts of caregivers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Invisible Woman” reflects MacGregor’s experiences caring for her disabled son Matthew, highlighting the immense responsibilities mothers often bear to ensure their child’s well-being and growth. Inspired by a painting she encountered in Austria, MacGregor aimed to spotlight the often unseen efforts and sacrifices of caregivers through her narrative.
Joining a prestigious list of CBC Literary Prize recipients, MacGregor expressed gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity to share her story. She credited the support of the CBC, the jury panel, and the vibrant Canadian writing community for empowering her to embrace the title of a writer.
The other finalists, Rachel Foster, Jennifer McGuire, Lena Palacios, and Crystal Semaganis, will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts. The longlist, curated from over 1,300 submissions by a group of editors and writers nationwide, was then assessed by a secondary committee to form the final list reviewed by the jury.
For Canadians keen on literary competitions, the CBC Literary Prizes offer a platform for aspiring writers. The 2026 CBC Short Story Prize is currently open for submissions, with the CBC Nonfiction Prize set to commence in January and the CBC Poetry Prize in April.
