Nova Scotia writer and educator Bethany Sampson has been named the winner of the 2026 HarperCollins/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction for her romantic comedy novel To Hate and to Hold.

The novel follows Imy, an autistic woman, and Cal, an autistic man, as they are forced to set aside their rivalry to prevent their mutual best friend from marrying her toxic fiancé. The book has been acquired by Molly Ketcheson, and publication by HarperCollins Publishers is expected for summer 2028.

In winning the award, Sampson, who holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and lives on the East Coast, has also gained representation by Paige Sisley at CookeMcDermid Literary Management, which co-sponsors the prize.

Now in its 14th year, the HarperCollins/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction is awarded biannually. It is open to students and graduates of the UBC School of Creative Writing. Previous winners include Michelle Good, for her multiple award-winning novel Five Little Indians and Jasmine Sealy for The Island of Forgetting.

The prize will next be awarded in 2028.