The Banff Mountain Book Competition
The Banff Mountain Book Competition is a prestigious literary contest that celebrates the best in mountain literature. As a key program of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, this competition has gained international recognition for its dedication to honoring outstanding works that explore the themes of adventure, environment, and the human spirit in mountainous regions.
History and Significance
The Banff Mountain Book Competition was established to promote and celebrate mountain literature in all its forms. It is part of the larger Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, which has been a cornerstone event for adventurers, filmmakers, writers, and photographers since its inception. The festival itself is held annually in Banff, Alberta, Canada, and attracts a global audience.
The competition aims to recognize and reward authors who bring the beauty, challenges, and stories of mountain environments to life through their writing. It serves as a platform for both established and emerging writers to gain recognition and share their work with a wider audience.
Categories and Awards
The Banff Mountain Book Competition features several categories, each designed to highlight different aspects of mountain literature. These categories include:
• Mountain Literature (Non-Fiction) – The Jon Whyte Award: This category honors the best non-fiction work that captures the essence of mountain life, adventure, and environment.
• Mountain Fiction & Poetry: Celebrates fictional works and poetry that are set in or inspired by mountain environments.
• Mountain Image: Recognizes books that combine stunning photography with compelling narratives about mountain landscapes and adventures.
• Adventure Travel: Focuses on books that recount thrilling and adventurous journeys in remote and/or rugged landscapes and their cultures.
• Environmental Literature: Highlights works that address environmental issues and conservation efforts in mountain areas.
• Guidebook: non-fiction books dealing with physical activities in mountain environments including hiking, climbing, mountaineering and “how-to” books.
• Mountain Article: includes articles or short form essays under 7,000 words with mountain themes including, but not limited to: climbing, adventure, conservation, and mountain literature. Articles may be fiction, historical or non-fiction narratives, and can be submitted by either an editor or author of the article. This category accepts articles that have been published in print or digitally.
Each year, an international jury of writers, adventurers, and editors selects the winners. The competition awards over $29,000 in cash prizes annually, with eight awards given across the various categories. The Grand Prize is announced during the festival, adding to the excitement and prestige of the event.
Notable Winners
The Banff Mountain Book Competition has recognized numerous exceptional works over the years. Some notable winners include:
• Helen Mort for “A Line Above the Sky” (2023), a memoir that explores the intertwining lives of climbers and the personal choices they make in pursuit of adventure.
• Maria Coffey for “Instead: Navigating the Adventures of a Childfree Life” (2023), a memoir that offers a candid and inspiring account of choosing a life of travel and adventure over conventional paths.
• Lyn Baldwin for “Drawing Botany Home” (2023), an environmental literature piece that beautifully captures the importance of our place in nature.
Impact on Authors
Winning or being shortlisted for the Banff Mountain Book Competition can significantly boost an author’s career. It provides recognition from a respected institution and enhances the visibility of the author’s work. Many past winners have gone on to secure publishing deals, receive further literary awards, and gain a dedicated readership.
The competition also plays a crucial role in promoting mountain literature to a broader audience. By highlighting diverse voices and stories, it encourages readers to explore new perspectives and appreciate the beauty and challenges of mountain environments.
Conclusion
The Banff Mountain Book Competition is more than just a literary contest; it is a celebration of the art of storytelling in mountain environments. It honors the authors who bring these stories to life, inspiring readers to embark on their own adventures and fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world.
For travel authors, participating in the Banff Mountain Book Competition is a prestigious opportunity to gain recognition and connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for mountains and storytelling. Whether you are an established writer or an emerging voice, this competition offers a platform to showcase your work and reach a wider audience.
