Waterloo, Ontario-based author Laura MacGregor has been named the recipient of the 2025 CBC Nonfiction Prize for her narrative titled “The Invisible Woman.” MacGregor will be awarded $6,000 by the Canada Council for the Arts and granted a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her winning story was featured on CBC Books. For those interested in similar writing contests, the CBC Short Story Prize for 2026 is currently open for submissions until November 1 at 4:59 p.m. ET, calling for original short fiction pieces up to 2,500 words.
A writer, former academic, and mother of three, Laura MacGregor navigated the challenges of caring for a son with profound disabilities and complex medical needs for two decades. Seeking solace and healing, she pursued a PhD in her fifties and later enrolled in The Writer’s Studio (SFU) after her son’s passing in 2020. Her academic work on mothering a disabled child and her upcoming co-editorship of “Disrupting Stories and Images of Church” with Bloomsbury in 2026 demonstrate her dedication to storytelling.
This year’s judging panel for the CBC Nonfiction Prize, comprising Zoe Whittall, Danny Ramadan, and Helen Knott, commended MacGregor’s narrative as a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by caregivers of medically fragile individuals. The story sheds light on the struggles and sacrifices made by caregivers and the societal perceptions surrounding disability and interdependency.
“The Invisible Woman” reflects MacGregor’s personal journey as a caregiver to her son Matthew, emphasizing the immense responsibilities and emotional toll that many mothers undertake to nurture their children. Through her narrative, MacGregor aims to spotlight the often unseen efforts and love poured into caregiving roles, advocating for a deeper understanding and recognition of caregivers’ contributions.
Joining the ranks of distinguished CBC Literary Prize winners like David Bergen and Michael Ondaatje, Laura MacGregor expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of her story by the esteemed jury panel and the supportive Canadian writing community. Winning the CBC Nonfiction Prize has emboldened her to embrace the title of “writer” and share her compelling narrative with a broader audience.
The other finalists for the prize, including Rachel Foster, Jennifer McGuire, Lena Palacios, and Crystal Semaganis, will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts. The selection process for the CBC Literary Prizes involves a meticulous review of over 1,300 submissions by a group of expert editors and writers before the final winners are chosen by the jury.
For aspiring Canadian writers, opportunities like the CBC Literary Prizes offer a platform to showcase their talents and stories. The upcoming editions of the CBC Nonfiction Prize in January and the CBC Poetry Prize in April for 2026 present avenues for writers to participate and share their unique voices within the literary landscape.