2025 Shields Prize Finalists and Winner at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
At the Carol Shields Prize Foundation, we strive to build literary community and provide writers with the opportunity to connect and work on their craft.
In a new initiative, the 2025 Shields Prize Finalists and the Winner were invited to participate in a group retreat residency in the Leighton Artist Studios at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Alberta, Canada.
Sarah Manguso, Rhonda Mullins, Canisia Lubrin, and Aube Rey Lescure report that they enjoyed getting to know each other and spending time in nature, while reflecting on their craft.
Revisit our 2025 shortlist and learn more about the titles and authors.
2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction Finalists (left to right) Sarah Manguso, Rhonda Mullins, Canisia Lubrin (winner), and Aube Rey Lescure pose at the Banff Centre. Photo credit: Abigaile Edwards for the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Rhonda Mullins, who translated Pale Shadows by Dominique Fortier shared: “I was able to spend time on my work and take advantage of the gorgeous scenery and hiking. And it was so great to spend time with Canisia, Aube and Sarah and get to know them a bit. Everyone connected with the prize has been so kind and generous. Things feel pretty rough these days, and this has been a source of hope and a glimpse of gentler times that have passed and that will hopefully come again.”
Sarah Manguso, author of Liars, shared this great video made during a hike and added that “it was such a joy to meet Aube, Rhonda, and Canisia, and to fit in a hike (and many deep relaxing breaths!) during my time in Banff. Thank you, and everyone at the Foundation, for your work and for this great gift.”
Aube Rey Lescure celebrated a birthday during her time in the mountains and thanked the Shields Prize for “the best birthday imaginable”! You can check out more of what she had to say about the experience and breathtaking images by visiting her Instagram page.
