What writer does not dream of the gift of time to write? Wrap up that gift in a $50,000 cheque and you are beginning to understand one of the motives behind The Prairie Grindstone Prize.

Conceived, developed, and funded by an anonymous donor committee, all of whom love Canadian literature and have a fondness for the talent of prairie writers, this annual prize alternates between the two prairie provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In 2025, the award will go to an Alberta writer.

The Prairie Grindstone Prize recognizes active prairie writers with the hope that a year of freedom from financial constraints will be beneficial to their career.

This prize is not a book prize. It is a writing prize for an engaged prairie writer, given in recognition of a body of work.

The winning writer will receive a $50,000 gift of time and an opportunity to share past work with a wider audience, while making connections with new readers. We also hope The Prairie Grindstone Prize can be a catalyst for future work, a boost of encouragement, and a sincere thank you for shaping more layered and richer Canadian literature.