Each year, Editors Canada presents several awards including Karen Virag Award recognizing excellence in editing and service to the organization. We’re proud to acknowledge the editors who have shown remarkable talent and dedication over the course of the previous year.
The Karen Virag Award recognizes the perennial heroes of editing. There heroes are the individuals or organizations that go out of their way to raise the profile of our profession in their communities year after year. They champion what editors do and how valuable we are.
Tell us about one of your editing heroes by submitting a nomination for the award.
About the Karen Virag Award
This award was created in memory of long-time association member Karen Virag, and in recognition of her many contributions to the profession. The Karen Virag Award recognizes the efforts of an editor or an organization to raise the profile of editing in their community.
The award will be presented during Editors Canada’s online awards ceremony in spring 2025. A cash award of $400 is made possible by Editors Canada and its generous donors.
Submit your nomination
Nominations for the Karen Virag Award are now open. Nominees may be individuals or organizations, members or non-members. Both members and non-members are welcome to submit nominations!
A nominee’s contribution may take a variety of forms, including one or more of the following:
- writing,
- public speaking,
- teaching,
- participating in broadcast or new media, and
- sponsoring editing-related activities and community building in Canada and abroad.
Nomination packages are to be submitted in digital format and must include
- a letter of nomination (100 to 300 words) that clearly and convincingly explains the contribution made by the nominee, and
- supporting documentation.
Deadline
The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 4, 2025.
Please spread the word
Editors Canada did not present the Karen Virag Award in 2024 due to a lack of suitable nominations.
“Karen’s contribution to our profession was immense,” says Editors Canada president Kaitlin Littlechild. “Please help us to recognize others who champion what editors do and who know how valuable we are by submitting a nomination for the 2025 Karen Virag Award.”
Recipients of the Karen Virag Award
2023
2022
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Remembering Karen Virag
The award is named after honorary life member Karen Virag. Its intent is to reflect Karen’s own work to raise the profile of editing. This included her long-standing participation on the Cultural Human Resources Council as the Editors Canada representative and her frequent appearances on CBC Radio as one-half of the dynamic Grammar Gals duo with Virginia Durksen. Karen also served as the Editors Canada director of publications.
Support our awards
Help to support Editors Canada awards! We invite you to contribute to these awards that honour the outstanding editors and students in our midst.
We also welcome donations by cheque. Please make your donation payable to “Editors’ Association of Canada” with “Karen Virag Award” written on the memo line.
Send your donation to
Editors Canada
2967 Dundas Street West, #1449
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Z2
Annual donors
Editors Edmonton