Books

Charlotte Gray, Dave Bidini and Carmen Aguirre named 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize jury

Three celebrated writers will be choosing the winner and finalists of the 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize.
Meet the 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize jury. (Valberg Imaging/Carlos Osorio/carmenaguirre.ca)

Charlotte Gray, Dave Bidini and Carmen Aguirre will judge the 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

Charlotte Gray is the author of nearly a dozen books on Canadian history and is a member of the Order of Canada. Her latest book, The Promise of Canada, profiles people and ideas that have shaped our country.

Dave Bidini is a Canadian author and musician. He has written 12 books, is a founding member of the indie band Rheostatics and is the only person to have been nominated for a Gemini, Genie and Juno and have a book on Canada Reads. His third book, Baseballissimo, is being developed for the screen by Jay Baruchel.

Carmen Aguirre is a Vancouver-based actor and playwright. Her memoir, Something Fierce, was a national bestseller and won Canada Reads in 2012. Her latest book is Mexican Hooker #1.

The winning author will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their story published in Air Canada enRoute magazine. The winner will also have the opportunity to attend a 10-day writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Four finalists will receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their stories published on CBC Books.

Past CBC Literary Prize winners include Carol Shields, Michael Ondaatje, Camilla Gibb and Michael Winter.

Last year's nonfiction winner was Leslie A. Davidson for "Adaptation".