PPPPP finalists announced
April 29th, 2026
Vancouver-based poet Ellie Sawatzky and Nelson’s Emily Nilsen have been shortlisted for the inaugural Pamela Paige Porter Poetry Prize (PPPPP), a new national award recognizing book-length poetry collections that engage with themes of nature, empathy and the everyday.
Ellie Sawatzky’s Hottest Smartest Self stands out for its candid and introspective approach, exploring personal and collective darkness while seeking moments of beauty and healing. A UBC MFA graduate and founder of the Strathcona Poetry Studio, Sawatzky lives and works on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples and is also known for her editorial work and contributions to Canadian literary journals.
Fellow finalist Emily Nilsen, based in Nelson on Sinixt homelands, is recognized for Drawdown, her forthcoming second collection following Otolith. Her work reflects a strong connection to landscape and ecological awareness, aligning with the prize’s focus on environmental themes and human relationships with the natural world.
The Pamela Paige Porter Poetry Prize, named in honour of the award-winning Canadian poet, offers $2,000 to a collection that reflects the values central to Porter’s work, including wonder in creation, grief for environmental loss and hope for renewal. Unique in its structure, the prize accepts anonymous submissions, aiming to ensure an unbiased selection process for both emerging and established poets.
Other finalists include Jody Baltessen (Intangible Things), Tazi Rodrigues (Community Association) and Sue Sinclair (New-Fangled Rose).
The inaugural winner will be announced on May 6, 2026.
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