Hello, Members and Friends of the WFNB.
Our Fall and Winter online sessions have been completed, but there are a couple more Open Mics ahead – one in Shediac on May 7, and one in Saint John on June 13. This is a great opportunity to share your work and chat with other writers. We are looking at dates and venues for Fredericton, so stay turned. If you have suggestions for locations and places to hold Open Mics, drop us a line.
And in between those two events, don’t forget to about WordSpring. We have a great lineup of workshop leaders and our venue is the Crowne Plaza Harbourview, with the exception of the New Brunswick Book Awards, which will take place at Lily Lake Pavilion.
At the end of WordSpring, on Sunday afternoon, we will hold another Pitch the Publisher Session, organized and emceed by Saint John WFNB member, Andrea Kikuchi. We have lots of time to get through all pitches, so no one will be left behind. We know this was an issue last year. This event is free and open to the public, but you must pre-register and submit your pitch prior to the event. There will be a very strict time limit of 7 minutes maximum. Your seven minutes will be broken down as follows:
a 2 minute elevator pitch, a 1- minute reading from your piece, then 4 minutes for responses by the panel at 1 minute each.
Please submit your pitch to info@wfnb.ca on a word document or pdf and include: Author name, Title of Manuscript, Genre, Word Count, Comparable Titles, and Why are you the person to tell this story?
We had a record number of submissions for the NB Writing Competition – thank you to all who submitted this year. The judges are working hard and will return their results in mid-May. If you place in the competition, we will contact you directly, but the news release will be issued shortly after all results are received. Winners and finalists will be asked to attend the literary soiree on May 29 at WordSpring in Saint John, to read from their winning pieces.
Finally, for members only: mark your calendars for the Annual General Meeting, which has been set for Thursday, June 11 at 7 pm. The meeting notice and event page will go out to all members, soon. With a rising membership, we will require at least 41 members to reach quorum, although you can supply a proxy vote in writing to the president.
Hope to see some of you in May. Cheers,
WordWorthy
“The front cover intrigues, but the back cover sells. Independent authors worry more about the front than the back, but the back cover is essentially a free ad. It leaves the reader wanting more. It must reflect the book’s genre, voice and tone. Be engaging, but brief. The back cover should be designed to grab attention, to hook readers and draw them in with a cliffhanger or a question, so that they can decide, ‘is this book for me?’ “
Wendy Kitts, during the online workshop, Bios, Book Blurbs and Back Cover Copy, March 28, 2026
Welcome, New Members!
Marcus Alexander is an artist from Saint John where he writes and illustrates in many genres including comedy, fantasy, fiction, historical fiction, horror, illustration, romance, science fiction, screenplay, songwriting, suspense, mystery, thrillers, and short stories. Welcome, Marcus!
Maria Bourgeois Originally from Newfoundland, Maria Bourgeois is a multi-disciplinary artist from Rothesay with a strong background in theatre (performance, direction, and playwriting), writing and music, and sometimes uses other mediums. Since 2016 she has changed her focus to writing fiction and creating music. Welcome, Maria!
Pat Carlson of Fredericton wrote a biweekly column in the Daily Gleaner for seven years, addressing political issues relating to mental health, poverty, and addictions. Now, through her writing and handcrafted creations, Pat continues to share stories that matter and items made with heart, bringing her decades of compassion and creativity to every project. She recently released a memoir entitled In the Company of Men. Welcome, Pat!
Jamie Campbell (pen name JM Campbell - jmcampbell.net) Born and raised in Atlantic Canada, JM Campbell is the author of the Quinn Masterson Mysteries Distortions, For All the Children to See, and One Night in the House of the Creepy Santas, as well as The House That Jack Built, Whispers in The Mist, The Angel of Sallow Cove, The Spore (2026), and Hide in Plain Sight (2026). Welcome, Jamie!
Richard Doiron (www.richarddoiron.com) Dubbed Canada's peace poet, Richard’s work has been in print for 62 years. From his home in Acadieville, he has been published in hundreds of anthologies, periodicals, personal books, and is the author of novels, biographical works, essays, and lyrics. Welcome, Richard!
Zoe Erichsen –Zoe is a horse riding coach and owner of Rohirrim Farm on Royal Road. Welcome, Zoe!
Jennifer Hanson – Welcome, Jennifer, a writer of fantasy!
Michelle Hebert (michellehebertwrites.com) writes fiction and creative nonfiction from her home in Halifax, NS, although she grew up in the Tantramar area. She combines her social work and writing skills to offer services for writers. This includes supporting memoirists as they write about difficult subjects, helping writers struggling with imposter syndrome or writer's block, and guiding writers to go deeper into themselves and their stories. Find out more at her website, michellehebertwrites.com
Sonya Hinds is a new writer, originally from Alberta, who has discovered that since retirement she is a poet. She thought she was going to be a novelist, but that is the power of the word! Sonya is interested in fiction, historical fiction, and poetry. Welcome, Sonya!
Michelle Hoeckel-Neal(https://sites.google.com/view/michellehoeckelneal) is a student member who writes fiction, poetry, flash/micro fiction and short stories from her place of study in Fredericton. Welcome, Michelle!
Jordan MacKenzie(pen name Rinn Skyborn - https://authorrinnskyborn.com/) writes stories that are shaped to unsettle, provoke, and endure. Across novels, short stories, and poetry, Rinn navigates the shadows of the human experience—examining resilience, fracture in fantasy, fiction, horror and thrillers. Welcome, Jordan/Rinn!
Pauline Milner (https://pminkslinger.blogspot.com/) lives in a restored farmhouse surrounded by animals and nature in Lower Millstream. She worked full-time as a freelancer for more than 25 years writing over a broad array of topics, but pivoted to concentrate on my own writing. Her ongoing writing projects include short stories, three original screenplays, poetry, a chapbook and a children's book. Welcome, Pauline!
Joyce Procure – Welcome, Joyce!
Carolyn Rigley writes memoir, poetry and short stories from her home in Miramichi. Welcome, Carolyn!
Mark Robinson (http://www.shittyleaders.ca/) is the author of The Shitty Leadership Series, a collection of direct, unfiltered books that challenge how leaders think, behave, and—more often than not—avoid accountability. He writes creative nonfiction, essays, nonfiction, website copy and short stories. His work focuses on leadership and non-leadership topics with the typical dry sarcastic humour that may cause reflections and increased self-awareness. Welcome, Mark!
Jen Selk (http://www.jenselk.com/) resides on the unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik
known as Fredericton, NB. A former journalist widely published in print media, Jen focuses on creative nonfiction, essays, fiction, journalism, poetry and spoken word. Welcome, Jen!
Chelsea Stevens writes creative nonfiction, journalism, memoir, nonfiction, poetry and songs from her home in Dumfries. Welcome, Chelsea!
Liz White writes comedy, screenplays and short stories from her home in Riverview. Welcome, Liz!
Hope Wilkinson (pen name Faith Nason https://a.co/d/00xJHQCX) is a writer from Breadalbane, and NB, and wrote The Missing Memories of Faith. Hope is interested in the genres of Memoir and Nonfiction. Welcome, Hope!
Member News
Carolyn Avery is pleased to announce the publication of Froggy in the Jar, now available on Amazon. Congratulations, Carolyn!Link here:
When the fridge is left open,
Froggy jumps inside.
There are colourful jars to explore.
Things get sticky and messy.
Have you seen Froggy in a jar?
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Warren Redman (pen name, Zev Bagel) is pleased to announce the publication of his novel, Sopworth’s Foibles (Merlin Star Press), the second in the Bright and Breasy cozy mystery series. He will be reading on Tuesday, April 21, from 5-7 pm at the Moncton Press Club
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Pat Carlson is pleased to announce the publication of In the Company of Men. The book can be purchased through her webpage, www.pennedbypat.ca Congratulations, Pat!
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Sherry Coffey is delighted to announce that she is the winner of the 2025 Deborah Wills Chapbook Competition for her manuscript Foraging. Her manuscript will be produced by the High Marsh Press and students from Mount Allison University's printmaking program. The chapbook will be published in late April or early May 2026. Big congratulations, Sherry!
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WFNB member Ramneet Kalra organizing an online Storytelling (Poetry and Photography) Workshop on April 18, 2026 at 4 pm – it’s coming right up! Participants can contact Ramneet to register by using this email:ramneet.kalra@gmail.com
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Forrest Orser’s invites everyone to visit his new website - http://forrestorser.ca/ - where you will find all of Forrest’s published stories and poems.
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Mike Simon is excited to announce the deal for Book Three of my Extinction series: Resurgence. Mike thanks his agent, Michelle at Storm Literary Agency and the fantastic team at Podium Entertainment.
EVENTS
The Frye Festival, The Frye Festival takes place April 24 to May 3, 2026, and is the largest literary event in Atlantic Canada. This bilingual celebration of books, ideas and the imagination is presented in the Greater Moncton region, in neighbouring communities, and, in the case of school visits, all over the province.. Check out all the events and how you can participate at https://www.frye.ca/
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WRITERS’ OPEN MIC
Sunday, April 26th
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Bill Johnstone Memorial Park Activity Centre
70 Main Street, Sackville, NB
The Writers’ Open Mic is a free monthly event open to all. Come out and read your poems, songs, short stories, comics, novels, essays, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen.
Accessibility concerns and general questions can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com. Follow the Writers’ Open Mic on Instagram at @writersopenmic for updates.
COMPETITIONS
PROVINCIAL
NotaBle Acts seeks entries for 25th annual Province-Wide Playwriting Competition
The NotaBle Acts Theatre Company is seeking submissions for its twenty-fifth annual provincewide playwriting competition. Contest winners will have their work featured as part of the 2026 NotaBle Acts Summer Theatre Festival, to be held in Fredericton, July 23-August 1.
New Brunswick playwrights have the opportunity to submit work in three main categories, one for 7-10 minute short plays, one for 30-60 minute one-act plays, and another for 10-20 minute site-specific plays. Two additional categories of the contest are specifically for young playwrights in New Brunswick Middle and High schools.
Winning playwrights will also receive a cash prize and script mentoring from a professional playwright.
The contest rules and guidelines, as well as instructions on how to submit scripts, are available at www.nbacts.com. Questions about the contest can be directed to lfalken@unb.ca or (506) 458-7406. The contest deadline is May 1st, 2026.
NATIONAL
CANSCAIP’s Writing for Children Competitionis now open for entries! Canada’s largest competition for children’s writers welcomes submissions from unpublished and self-published writers. The deadline for entries is May 31.
Four $500 cash prizes will be awarded to the winning Middle Grade and Young Adult entries, and to the top two Picture Book entries. Two finalists in each category will also be selected. The winners and finalists will be given time to revise their entries before CANSCAIP submits them to Annick Press, Kids Can Press and Scholastic Canada for evaluations.
Every entry receives a written evaluation from a traditionally published CANSCAIP Member volunteer reader. Entries advancing to the second round receive another evaluation, and entries on the shortlist receive evaluations from each jury member.
Entrants must be over the age of 18, Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with no traditionally published books in any genre or for any age. Previously submitted entries can be re-submitted for the 2026 Competition.
Self-published writers are eligible to enter the Competition, but self-published books with an ISBN are not eligible as entries. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: https://canscaip.org/Submission-Guidelines
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Call for submissions: 2026 RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award
Unpublished writers are encouraged to submit creative nonfiction, journalism, short stories, or poetry collections for the RBC / PEN Canada New Voices Award. This annual award celebrates emerging talent in Canadian literature, and the winner will receive $3,000 CAD and mentorship from a Canadian author. There is no fee to submit. Deadline: Thursday May 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Learn about eligibility and how to submit on the PEN Canada website: https://pencanada.ca/call-for-submissions-for-the-2026-rbc-pen-canada-new-voices-award/
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The Montreal International Poetry Prize 2026 is now open for submissions. Enter your poem of 40 lines or fewer for a chance to win a cash prize of $20,000.
The Montreal Prize celebrates the craft of the stand-alone poem as a work of art. The biennial competition, open to poets from around the world, is a not-for-profit initiative hosted by the Department of English at McGill University. All entries must be previously unpublished and simultaneous submissions are permitted. An international jury will select sixty-five finalists and the winner will be chosen by the final judge Natalie Diaz, whose many honours include a MacArthur Fellowship, Lannan Literary Foundation Fellowship, and Native Arts and Culture Foundation Fellowship. All finalists will be published online and included in The Montreal Poetry Prize Anthology 2026.
Submission fees for first entries are $25 until the early bird deadline 1 May, and $28 after that until submissions close. Every additional poem is $20 at any time (all prices in Canadian dollars).
The final deadline is 15 May. We are looking forward to reading your work!
Submit at https://montrealpoetryprize.awardsplatform.com
For more information on the jury, past winners, and more, visit www.montrealpoetryprize.com
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Whistler Independent Book Awards
Submissions to the 11th annual Whistler Independent Book Awards will open on March 1, 2026. All entries to the competition must be made through the online submission form, which will be available from March 1 —April 30, 2026. All information here: https://independentbookawards.ca/submissions-wiba/
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The Icelandic Festival of Manitobais once again holding its annual Poetry and Short Story Contest
Details can be found on the poster attached or on the Icelandic Festival website.
If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out.
https://www.icelandicfestival.com/festival-events/contests/poetry-short-story-contest
Submissions
The Wild Spirituality Nature Devotional* is calling for entries—reflections, poems, short stories, or moments of wonder born from your relationship with the living world. If you’ve ever felt the hush of a forest teach you something, or sensed the sacred humming through soil, stone, wind, or water, this is an invitation to let that experience speak.
This is playful, reverent, untamed spirituality—barefoot faith, mossy wisdom, awe without polish. Share what nature has revealed to you. Invite others to do the same. Your voice from the wild belongs here.
This devotional is a project that is being created only within the Ecosystem. The resulting devotional (book) will be available to the general public. The Ecosystem is a social media platform on Mighty Networks dedicated to living from a place of love, interconnection, and justice for all beings. Membership is free. Join here
Devotional Entry Form
* (Please note that this is an unpaid opportunity)
