October Inkspot (part 2, continued)

President's Message

Changing leaves, changing tires. Welcome to autumn! If you didn't attend The Writers of the Realm Literary Festival and/or The Serenity Ball, you missed an exceptionally great time. Many thanks to Sakura Blue Studios and all the volunteers who made it great. The next big event is Pages in the Province, to be held at the NB Provincial Exhibition Centre in Fredericton on November 7th, thanks to the hard work of Dog Eared Books. Between these two bookends, Let me take a moment with Thanksgiving this past weekend, to say how very grateful I am for each of you who help achieve our mission of creating community through words. Finally, prepare yourselves for a haunting good time on the 31st.

Best,

Don Bourque, WFNB President, PO Box 23038, Moncton, NB E1A 6S8

Member News

Lynn Davies is inviting everyone to two events in October for her picture book -  Saturday, October 24 - Book launch for “The Graveyard Cat”, a picture book for children 4 - 8, in the Chickadee Room at the Fredericton City Library, 11 am - 1 pm. A story-time and colouring sheets. Cat faces to decorate and cat cookies to eat. Everyone welcome. Thanks Nimbus Publishing!

Saturday, October 31 - A Hallowe’en book signing for “The Graveyard Cat” at Westminster-Bookmark in downtown Fredericton, 11 am.

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Brigitte Marsden is delighted to announce her new book, Karate Kit and the WereCoyote, due to be published next month (October) by Chapel Street Kids, an imprint of Chapel Street Editions. Buckle up for a wild ride as our intrepid hero faces fresh challenges and her biggest mystery yet in this adventure-packed middle grade novel, the first sequel to Kit and the Calico Cat.

Follow Brigitte Marsden, author and artist, on Facebook for more information and events. 

Brigitte has two book launch events scheduled for October 31:

1. KARATE KIT AND THE WERECOYOTE BOOK LAUNCH @ the library 

Saturday October 31, 2026 at the LP Fisher Library, 679 Main Street, Woodstock, NB, E7M 2E1 – 506-325-4777

10:00 am–11:30 am – Activities (ages 7-11, registration required)

11:30 am–12:00 pm – Author signings and book sales

Do you love reading? Getting creative with crafts?? Showing your dramatic side??? Unleash your imagination as author and illustrator Brigitte Marsden launches her brand-new adventure novel, Karate Kit and the WereCoyote, with your help – just in time for Halloween!

2. KARATE KIT AND THE WERECOYOTE BOOK LAUNCH @ the book store

Author readings and book signing

Flourish & Fiction, 617 Main Street Woodstock, NB, E7M 0K9

Meet the author and book signings from 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

Author readings at 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm.

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Andrew MacLean has released the fifth book in his Backyard History series, 'Wartime Stories From The Maritimes,' another collection combining The Maritimes’ classic storytelling tradition with meticulous archival research. The series, which began as a pandemic project, now runs as a weekly column in more than 20 Atlantic Canadian newspapers and has spawned a podcast and a television mini-series; the first book recently reached national bestseller status. MacLean has also just released 'Histoires de Chez Nous: Contes Oubliés du Nouveau-Brunswick,' his first book in French, collecting translated highlights from the series. All his books are available at backyardhistory.ca

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Frederick Mundle is pleased to announce publication of two new books, which will be available at Pages in the Province on November 7: The Restigouche River Review, and The One Star Hotel.

UPCOMING FESTIVALS

Fog Lit is this coming weekend! If you live in the Saint John region, there's plenty of great activities to enjoy. 

Instagram: @foglitfestival

Facebook: facebook.com/FogLit

The Fog Lit Festival returns on October 14, 2026, affirming its position as one of New Brunswick’s notable literary events. This year’s festival features a stellar line-up of visiting authors and publishers from across the province to share their work and experience in Uptown Saint John.

The 2026 programme features four days of literary events and activities. First, visitors can join novelist Nicholas Herring, Giller-shortlisted author of Your Breath in Charcoal, on October 14 at 7pm at the Saint John Arts Centre. This free event is presented in collaboration with the University of New Brunswick’s Lorenzo Society.

The following evening at 7pm at the Arts Centre, Fog Lit presents Poets in Conversation, featuring Nick Thran, author of four collections of poems, including his second collection, Earworm, which won the Trillium Book Award for Poetry; Sue Sinclair, author of seven collections of poetry, including most recently New-Fangled Rose, nominated for the Pamela Paige Porter Poetry Prize; and Michi (Nhung An), a widely published and award-winning poet and local barista.

There will be Fog Lit Literary Trivia, hosted by Neil Bonner on Friday, October 16, at the Write Cup Bookstore Café at 7pm.

On Saturday, October 17, Fog Lit will host a kids’ event at the Saint John Free Public Library’s Central Branch at 2pm with Mike Bravener and his book Lumberjack’s Alphabet. Aspiring writers will want to take note: there will also be a Pitch the Publisher event happening at 4pm that day at the Write Cup Bookstore Café. The programme will conclude with author Michael Rancic bringing his book, A Nation of Tinkerers: A History of Electronic Music in Canada from 1945 to 1985 to the Port City. This is a must-attend for music fans or anyone who loves a good book. This event will be held at Five and Dime at 7pm.

Fog Lit Co-Chair, Lindsay Jacquard, says, “We are so pleased to have brought this festival back at a time when literacy and literature matter more than ever, in New Brunswick and beyond. Now, in the third year since our relaunch, the support of the local community reminds us just how important Fog Lit is for our region.”

Fog Lit Festival is grateful for the support of the Government of New Brunswick, City of Saint John, the Saint John Community Arts Board, as well as the Brunswick Credit Union.

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The Creative Nonfiction Collective (CNFC) is a volunteer-run national non-profit and registered charity promoting creative nonfiction through workshops, webinars, writing contests, and annual festivals. The theme of this year’s festival is “Courage and the Writing Life,” and will be held online from November 4 to November 6.

EVENTS

WRITERS’ OPEN MIC
Sunday, October 18th
3:00 - 4:00 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, short stories, comics, novels, essays, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen. A projector will be set up for those with comics or other images or videos they want to share. Files can be brought on a USB or emailed in advance. Accessibility concerns and general questions can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.

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The Canadian Children's Book Centre is organizing a webinar called The Business of Writing: Selling Your Books, Selling Yourself, taking place on November 7, 2026 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm ET. The webinar is aimed at both aspiring and established authors.

WFNB members can use a discount code to receive 15% off General Admission. The discount code can be found on the members-only page of wfnb.ca

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CANSCAIP’s annual conference, Packaging Your Imagination (PYI)

For anyone interested in writing for children and young adults, this is a can’t miss event. It’s a full day of insights from children’s publishers, agents, authors and illustrators who share their experiences and industry knowledge.

I’m writing to you today to as I believe your members will be interested to know about the conference, especially now that we’ve added an exciting new attendance option. PYI is now available through livestream!  No longer is attendance restricted to attendees in the Toronto area — anyone across the country can attend in real time on their computer. 

And that’s not just for the conference sessions but One-to-One evaluations are also available through livestream. A One-to-One is a 15-minute meeting with a publishing professional in which verbal feedback is provided on 1,000 words of the writer’s picture book, middle grade or young adult manuscript. 

This year’s PYI Schedule includes: 

• An opening and closing keynote,
• Four jam-packed sessions throughout the day,
• Four topics in each session - attendees pick one topic from each session to watch, 
• Recordings of all twelve topics presented and the keynotes at no extra charge!

PYI LIVESTREAM is just $250 for non-members, and One-to-One evaluations are an additional $85.

CANSCAIP has hosted this highly regarded professional development conference for more than 40 years. We invite your members to join us for this inspiring day of craft, business, and networking.

COMPETITIONS

The Manitoba Writers' Guild welcomes submissions from across Canada for the 4th annual Manitoba Writers’ Guild Rabindranath Tagore Poetry Competition, sponsored by Dr. Kamal Malaker. Tagore’s works often celebrated dualities — the finite and the infinite. This year’s theme is Finding Freedom. For this poetry contest, submissions are acccepted in English only. Find information here: https://mbwriters.ca/programs/rabindranath-tagore-poetry-competition/

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The Fiddlehead's 2026 Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem is now open for submissions! The best poem will win $2000 and be published in Issue 311 of The Fiddlehead. The judges this year are Farah Ghafoor, Fawn Parker, and Patricia Young! The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2026. Find out how to submit here: thefiddlehead.ca/poetry-contest 

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Third Annual Toby Award

 The third annual Toby Award is open for submissions from self-published Canadian mystery authors until December 15, 2026. 

The Toby Award, the first of its kind in Canada, recognizes excellence in self-published mystery novels by Canadian mystery authors. This year’s award is open to novels released in trade paperback format in 2026 and is sponsored by Barbara Crook (Ottawa), and ReBound Press (Ashton, Ontario). The award aims to spotlight Canadian authors navigating the evolving publishing landscape.

 The winner will receive the Toby Award statue—a unique metal sculpture of a dog reading a book, created by acclaimed Ontario artist Carol Nasvytis (Soul Metal), with silver eyeglasses designed and crafted by Ladysmith, B.C. silversmith Vonda Croissant and Evan Taylor of Silver Spoons in Perth, Ontario.

Last year’s winner was Ottawa author, C.J. (Chris) Fournier, for his novel, THE PATH-FINDER. He says “Winning the Toby was a huge deal for me. It not only boosted sales, but also my self-confidence. The Toby arrived as a rare moment of validation to let me know I was on the right path. I am deeply grateful to Peggy Blair for her energy and vision in creating the Toby, and to Barbara Crook for her generous financial support.”

Award founder Peggy Blair, an internationally recognized mystery author and owner of ReBound Press, established the Toby Award to celebrate the talent of self-published authors. “The Toby Award recognizes the risk-taking, creativity, and perseverance of Canadian mystery writers who choose to publish outside the traditional system. Our goal is to help readers discover exceptional books that deserve a wider audience and terrific Canadian authors they may not have heard of before.”

For more information on eligibility criteria, please visit https://tobyaward.wordpress.com/

WRITER IN RESIDENCE

The Anne Mitton Memorial Writer in Residence Program honours the life and legacy of Fredericton educator, author, playwright, mentor, and storyteller Anne Mitton (1940–2026). Throughout her distinguished career, Anne inspired generations of learners and writers through her work as a teacher, literacy specialist, writing instructor, and published author. This residency reflects her lifelong commitment to nurturing creativity, encouraging emerging voices, and building community through the written word.

The successful applicant for this residency program will receive an $8,000 bursary to support their work over a six month period. One artist will be chosen each year for a fall-spring residency (November to April).  During the residency, the Writer in Residence will:

-Focus primarily on the development of their own creative writing project.
-Lead one six-week community writing series designed for emerging writers or writers new to the craft.
-Facilitate one weekend intensive workshop on a writing topic of their choice.
-Participate in a public reading and celebration showcasing both their work and selected work from workshop participants.

Given Anne's interdisciplinary writing career, this residency is open to a broad range of literary practices: Applications are welcomed from writers working in:

• Fiction
• Creative nonfiction
• Poetry
• Playwriting

Deadline is October 16, 2026. Here's all the info to apply: https://www.charlottestreetarts.ca/anne-mitton 

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Hello, Members and Friends.

I hope that your Thanksgiving table was full of good things. Despite these difficult times, there are many wondrous elements in my life for which I am immensely grateful, important things that have nothing to do with the economy or social upheaval, like family, friends, creative abilities…the freedom to gather, the freedom to share, and the freedom to write.

Of course, more certainty in the economy would bring relief in many ways, but in the meantime, I hope you are comforted by the many intangible blessings that we all share in this great province of NB.

We had more than 80 people attend the live interview and book signing with Linwood Barclay at the end of September. Special thanks to Tidewater Books who set up a book table. If you couldn’t attend this event, you really missed an interesting, funny, and engaging guest. I find that hearing the comments, opinions and personal perspectives of an internationally-known writer like Mr. Barclay provide a fuller perspective on the writing industry and the writing life. It was well-worth my time, and the price of a book. I’ll write an article on his conversation with Jonna Brewer, and release it in the November issue of Inkspot.

DO any of you sell your services as a Ghostwriter?

Members, if you would like to share your editing/manuscript evaluation/writing coach services on our community services page, please drop a line to info@wfnb.ca, especially if your skills and services might also include GHOSTWRITING. I do occasionally receive random requests by telephone from the public who are looking for help in that area. If you would like your services to be listed, including your website and other contact information, please let me know!

A REMINDER to Children’s writers

Kate Merlin Hanson, former publisher of Chocolate River Publishing (ceased operations in 2022) reminds Maritime writers that the publisher is no longer in business.  Though the websites and post office box have been closed, it has recently come to Kate’s attention that the website has somehow been resurrected (with some additions that weren’t there in the first place). This unauthorized website contains writers’ guidelines directing writers to submit to a post office box that has been closed. Kate expresses regret if anyone found this website and their manuscript was returned. Kate says, “Good luck with your writing everyone. I totally understand that it is hard enough to navigate the submissions process without dealing with bogus websites. If you are looking for publishers that are currently operating in Atlantic Canada, https://atlanticpublishers.ca/membership/ would be a good place to start. It is a list of all current member publishers, and you can check their individual websites to see if they would be a good fit for your manuscript and find their current guidelines.”

Upcoming Events

If you have been wavering about attending the Jon Claytor workshop in St. Martins, please register now! Numbers are low, but it’s still going to be a fun and useful workshop, one of those I-wish-I’d-been-there days. Coming this Saturday!

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We have changed the dates for Francis-Adrien Morneau’s and Luke Francis Beirne’s workshops that were originally slated for Halloween. They are now on the 20^th and 27^th of November, at the same venue -The Write Cup Café in Market Square, Saint John. These sound like interesting subjects, and I hope  you can take part. Please register soon!

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Did you, or will you, publish a book in 2026? Fill out a submission form and send us two copies for your book to be entered into the 2027 NB Book Awards. There is no submission fee.

The judges will be announced for our five categories soon. The deadline for submission is December 1, although we will accept books until all submissions are mailed to the judges on the last week of December.

NEW! Mentorship for Emerging Writers

Call for Mentees The 2026-27 Mentorship Program for Emerging Writers The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick is accepting applications from individuals interested in being a mentee in the 2026/27 Mentorship Program for Emerging Writers. You do not need to be a WFNB member, but you do need to be a New Brunswick resident. There is no fee for application. Deadline for mentee applications - November 2 at 5 pm AST Results announced - November 30 Mentorship period - December 2026 through April 2027 Reception - A wrap-up reception for the writers and mentors will celebrate the program, likely held in conjunction with WordSpring in Moncton, June 4-6, 2027. The WFNB Mentorship program is designed to serve the needs of emerging New Brunswick writers who are committed to the development of their writing. It’s aimed at writers who are on the cusp of professional publication and who have a substantial work-in-progress. Mentees will receive 25 hours of consultation from their mentors on a one-to-one basis over an intensive five-month period beginning in December 2026. (Pairs may meet in-person or online, usually five hours per month.)  Since the WFNB has not held a mentorship program since 2015, for this year, we will offer a pilot program of three mentor/mentee pairings, one for each of three categories.

Poetry  with mentor Lynn Davies

About Lynn Davies (http://www.lynndavies.ca/) Lynn is the author of four collections of poetry. Her new book for children, So Imagine Me, is full of riddle-poems about the natural world and is perfect for any curious 8 to 108 year old. Her first book was short-listed for a Governor General’s Award and the Gerald Lampert Award. Her poems have been featured on CBC radio and translated into French and Spanish. Lynn’s poems and stories for children have appeared in anthologies and magazines. Most recently, her picture book, The Graveyard Cat, from Nimbus Publishing, launches in October, 2026. Lynn grew up in Riverview and Newcastle, New Brunswick, Canada. Her first paid job was working for her parents in The Book Mark, Moncton's first independent bookshop. After graduating from the University of King’s College with a B.A. (Honours: English), she began writing as a freelancer for Atlantic Insight, Eastern Woods and Waters, Arts Atlantic, and Canadian Geographic. Under the name of ReadWell Tutoring, she worked as a private reading tutor. Lynn has taught English as a Second Language at the Multicultural Centre. She's also taught creative writing at the University of New Brunswick, the Maritime Writers' Workshop, and enjoyed running a monthly Writers' Circle at Westminster Books (where she worked part-time for 9 years and where she spent most of her salary). Lynn has designed and taught classes on creative writing and book making for children at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and in the local schools. Currently she lives in Fredericton with her companion Dave Macfarlane where she writes poems, reviews, and essays. In her spare time she reads, bakes bread, and folds boxes of frogs.

Fiction  with mentor Luke Francis Beirne

About Luke  (https://www.lukefrancisbeirne.com/) Luke was born in Ireland and lives on Wolastoqey land in Saint John, New Brunswick. His first novel, Foxhunt, was a finalist for the 2022 Foreword INDIES award in General Fiction and was selected as one of The Miramichi Reader’s best novels of 2022. His second novel, Blacklion, was selected by CBC as one of the novels to read in 2023and shortlisted by the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick for the 2023 Mrs. Dunster’s Fiction Award. His third novel, Saints Rest, released in  2025. It was featured in Maritime [EDIT] as an ‘Editor’s Choice.’ His writing has been stylistically compared to Hammett, Greene, Forsyth, Hemingway and le Carre.”

Nonfiction with mentor Wendy Kitts

About Wendy At 42, Wendy Kitts went from a nine-to-five cubicle-grey existence in accounting, to living in Technicolor as a professional freelance writer—without ever having written anything before. Twenty-five years later, Wendy—who lives in Shédiac—has written more than 300 articles for publications such as Readers’ Digest, the LA Times, and the Globe & Mail and has published ten nonfiction children’s books. In 2011, her trade book—Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar—was nominated for several readers’-choice awards and chosen as Top Five New Brunswick Books by CBC-Radio and Top 100 Gift Books by the Globe & Mail. And up until her recent retirement, Wendy had achieved something most think impossible: for nearly two decades she supported herself solely with her writing (and writing-adjacent activities such as editing, author presentations and workshops), creating a laptop-lifestyle and fulfilling her dream of living at the beach year-round—including 12 sunny years in California. Who can apply as a mentee? The mentee position is for writers who have a substantial work-in-progress and who are committed to the creative and professional development of their writing and who meet the criteria outlined below: NB resident writers who have a substantial work-in-progress in fiction, nonfiction or poetry; Individuals who are prepared for a disciplined, focused period of work during which writing takes priority; Individuals who are not using generative AI (please read our statement on AI generated content), also known as Large Language Models (LLMs), to create and write their project; Individuals 19-years-of-age and older. The WFNB is committed to greater inclusion of traditionally marginalized communities. We encourage applications to the Mentorship Program from all members of our diverse writing community. How to apply as a mentee To apply for a mentee position, please submit the following: Name, age, creative resume, email, phone, and address A typewritten, double-spaced, ten-page sample of your work (poetry submissions are exempt from the double-spacing requirement); Include length of manuscript to date (i.e., word count or number of poems); A declaration of which category you are applying for – fiction, nonfiction, or poetry A statement of what you hope to achieve during the mentorship and how you think it will assist you with your manuscript A summary of your recent writing history, how long you’ve been writing, and your publication credits, if any. Send your submission as a .doc or .pdf file to info@wfnb.ca by the deadline of Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5 pm. Selection Process Results will be announced at the end of November. Mentors will receive submissions from the selection committee, and the mentors will ultimately select their mentees. Decisions will be made on the basis of the best-suited match between the prospective mentees and the mentors. Notes  Late submissions will not be accepted. Ineligible and/or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Anyone seeking further information about the WFNB Mentorship Program for Emerging Writers should email info@wfnb.ca. Until November, writers! Rhonda WordWorthy “The late Elmore Leonard used to talk about how a character would walk on and take over the book. And that doesn't happen with me too much. I mean, I find that some characters grow, and develop into a more interesting character. But I want to know from page one who the bad guy is. Because when I start writing dialogue for all these people, I want to know if I jump into the head of that character, I want to be able to know that they're lying. And I know where I want to end up. I know what the ending is going to be. I don't know what's going to happen in the big mushy middle.” Linwood Barclay, in conversation with Jonna Brewer, September 27, 2026 Welcome, New Members Chisom Ezeh (www.thepublishingpad.com) Chisom joins us from Saint John, where she runs a partner publishing company called The Publishing Pad. She’s helped more than 200 authors worldwide bring their books to life — from self-help and business to fiction, memoir, and more. (Editor’s note: The Alliance of Independent Authors gives The Publishing Pad an excellent rating on selfpublishingadvice.org) Welcome, Chisom. Lina Gardner is an award-winning author from Geary. Her first book in the series Grave illusions won the Romance Writers’ of America (RWA) -Kiss of Death’s Daphne DuMaurier Award for Excellence in the Paranormal—-Time Travel—-Futuristic category. She writes in the genres of fantasy, romance, science fiction/speculative, and suspense. Welcome, Lina! Evan Jones is a writer and English teacher based out of Moncton, NB. Evan writes self help books with the goal of making the transition easier for his students to enter the 'Real World,' but has since started dabbling in short fiction and poetry.  He won the 2026 Books for Youth and Young Adults Award for his book, What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do. Welcome, Evan! Scott Keenan writes fiction from his home in Rusagonis. Welcome, Scott! Kathy MacWilliam  (https://writersblocks.blog/) is a former Miramichier, and now lives in St. Catherines, Ontario. Kathy finds herself drawn to stories about Maritime people and places, and independently publishes fiction, historical fiction, suspense, and short stories  on Amazon and Kobo. Welcome, Kathy! Joan Peddle writes biography, comedy, fiction, historical fiction, memoir, nonfiction, and romance from Moncton. Welcome, Joan. Janie Upham writes creative nonfiction, memoir, copywriting, and freelance from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Janie!

CALL FOR WRITER IN RESIDENCE

The  Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) would like to share a job posting for the SPL Writer in Residence, Sept 2027-May 2028 term. The position is open to anyone who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

 It can be found on their website: https://saskatoonlibrary.ca/about/careers/ or via this direct link: https://saskatoonlibrary.ca/isl/uploads/2026/07/Writer-in-Residence-2027-28-Job-Posting.pdf

WRITING COMPETITIONS

McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests 2026
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category

MRB Poetry Contest (up to 3 poems per entry, max. 150 lines total)
Judge: Patrick Friesen

MRB Short Fiction Contest (one story per entry, max. 5000 words)
Judge: Tonia Laird

MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one story per entry, max. 5000 words)
Judge: Rowan McCandless (A former judge of the NB Book Awards!)

Deadline: Nov. 30, 2026

Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire.

Complete guidelines at www.prairiefire.ca

For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca

RETREATS AND WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES

Go and Write! Retreats created by writers, for writers

Writing retreats offered by award-winning authors and husband and wife team, Dr. Gerard Collins, originally from Newfoundland, and Jane Simpson, from New Brunswick. Participants include emerging and established writers of all genres. For more information, visit www.goandwrite.ca.

Go and Write! Merry and Bright—Christmastime in the Cotswolds

December 8-16, 2026

Our last retreat for 2026 and the only one with spaces remaining—3 rooms left

Small group retreat in the charming village of Broadway, England, at the Abbots Grange, a 14th century monastic manor house. We’ll visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon, the festive dining hall in Oxford, and we’ll roast chestnuts on an open fire at a 16th century pub.

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Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds

May 4-12, 2027

We return to the charming village of Broadway and the Abbots Grange manor house—just 9 rooms for participants. We’ll visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and Stonehenge, all while the flowers are rioting. We’re trying for the rare Stonehenge Inner Circle tickets again—last year, we were able to get up close to the protected stones, long after the crowds of people went home.

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Return to Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

June 6-15, 2027

Join us for a June writing retreat in a timeless fishing town on Nova Scotia’s south shore. We’ll have 10 days in the pristine, UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg on the East Coast of Canada, surrounded by colourful 18th and 19th century buildings, quaint shops, and the historic waterfront at your fingertips. Come take a sail on the Bluenose II Schooner with us!

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Retreat to Kingsbrae, St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

June 21-28, 2027

August 25–September 1, 2027

September 27–October 4, 2027

Micro-group retreats (only 5 rooms) in a seaside town on the East Coast of Canada. Private, ensuite bedroom in a gorgeous, historic mansion, your own private writing studio on the grounds, and the award-winning Kingsbrae Garden at your doorstep.

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Return to the New World: Newfoundland

August 5-18, 2027

We’re returning to Newfoundland, Gerard’s birthplace, for two weeks. With an even greater focus on dedicated writing time, we’ll spend more than a week in the charming fishing outport of Trinity in historic homes, followed by several nights in the province’s vibrant capital city of St. John’s, writing all the way.

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There may be one more overseas retreat location to come for 2027; sign up for our newsletter to be in the loop!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEER JURORS

The Crime Writers of Canada association forms its juries with as wide a geographical spread as possible. Writers are welcome to apply between now and  September 30^th – writers, librarians, journalists, booksellers, or anyone you know who reads a lot of current crime fiction in any format.

https://crimewriterscanada.com/index.php/en/page/page-content/judging

That's it, folks! See you in October.

September is here, Members and Friends.

And along with the breeziness of Fall, comes plenty of activity – whether we’re ready for it or not.

I am pleased to tell you that for the first time since 2015, the WFNB has received additional funding from Arts Culture NB to offer a mentorship program for a small number of emerging writers. Please stay tuned for more details as we get ready to roll them out. Other writing associations such as the WFNS and the WANL have enjoyed fruitful mentorship programs from year to year, and we hope that this pilot project will be just as fruitful, and provide a roadmap for future years. We are immensely grateful to ArtsCulture NB for approving this grant. More information in the coming weeks.

After our charitable number was awarded to us in January, the WFNB struck a fundraising committee. The committee is currently establishing priorities. More on that to come, but in the meantime, remember that your donations are tax deductible. You can read more information about donations or Planned Giving on our Donations page.

Please check out all our upcoming events and sign up!

September

1.  Of course, the first is The Writers of the Realm Literary Festival and Fantasy Ball, taking place this coming Saturday. The ball was sold out months ago, but the lit festival, running from 10 am to 4 pm at the Fredericton inn, is open to the public. The book fair costs $2 at the door. If you are not already setting up a table there to sell your books, come along and enjoy the festivities.

2. Word Travels – September 27, Moncton, award-winning Canadian mystery/thriller author Linwood Barclay will be in conversation with Jonna Brewer. He’ll also sign books (his new release is called Not a Word) We’ll be at the Delta Beausejour Hotel, 750 Main Street, in room Beausejour A, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm – Beausejour A is beside the hotel’s side exit door, which opens on to the back parking lot. Should be easy to find! Sign up to let us know you’re coming, and bring a friend.

October

3. Word Travels event – Drawing for Writers with Jon Claytor- October 17, St. Martins, (@St. Martins Country Inn) - jonclaytor@gmail.com (maximum of 20 participants, lunch provided). This event is everyone – no drawing skills are necessary. We are looking forward to a fun, enlightening and insightful day with Jon as he helps us generate new ideas and perspectives for our writing! This event  is offered in partnership with www.fundyfootstepsflavours.ca/. Come for the day, or arrange to stay the evening and enjoy the flavours of the Fundy region.

(psst...Sign the "For the Love of Fundy" pledge!)

4. Word Travels event – Two workshops on October 31: ---  How and Why Atmosphere has a Place in Novels with Luke Beirne and How to Write Noir/Crime fiction with Francis-Adrien Morneault  at The Write Cup Café and Bookstore, Market Square, Saint John. A fun and atmospheric Halloween activity!

November

5. Online workshop – Researching your Next Novel, with Chuck Bowie, November 5 at 6 pm

6. Open Mic – St. Andrews, November 12, from 7 pm to 9 pm, presented by the WFNB and Fundy Bay Writers.

7. Pages in the Province - The WFNB will also have a table at Pages in the Province at NBEX, November 7, as will many of you. Hope to see you there!

January

7. Online Saturday Series – Building Up our Sensory Writing Muscles with Sandra Phinney - Jan 9, 16, 23, and 30 – (Maximum 8 participants)

February

8. Writers’ Retreat – Weekend of February 19. Our writing mentor is WFNB member and retired English professor, Kathy Mac.

March

9. Zoom Workshop - Finding the Life Story you Need to Write, with Marjorie Simmins – March 4, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, via zoom. We asked Marjorie to share this session at WordSpring back in June, but unfortunately she had a conflict. Now, we are reprising our idea in a two-hour, online workshop. Join Marjorie as she explores what is behind the compelling need to share our life journeys, and our deep desire to create something meaningful, resonant, and of universal interest.

More information on events is forthcoming, including our pilot mentorship program. Stay tuned! Hope to see you at an event soon. These are bewildering and uncertain times. We are tempted to give in to cynicism, but remember, as Joan Didion said, “I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.”

Use your power for your own good, as well as others, writers.

Cheers and all good wishes,

Rhonda

WordWorthy

“Writers’ Block: An Artificial construct that justifies a discipline problem.” Steven Pritzker

Welcome, New Members

Jessica Buckley writes in several genres – Biography, Creative nonfiction, Editing, Essays, Memoir, Songwriting, and Spoken Word, from her home in St. Andrews. Welcome, Jessica! Hope to see you at the Open Mic in St. Andrews in November, hosted by the WFNB and Fundy Bay Writers. Welcome, Jessica!

Jodie Callaghan is from s from the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Gespe’gewa’gi (Gaspé Coast in Eastern Quebec), and currently resides near Campbellton, where she writes children’s books and horror.  The Whistler in The Woods is her next publication, coming March 2027. Welcome, Jodie!

Evan Jones is a writer and teacher from Moncton. Evan won the second annual Books for Youth and Young Adult award for his nonfiction book, What to Do when You Don’t Know What to Do. He is continuing to write in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, and young adult. Welcome, Evan!

James Katan is a retired librarian of the Campbellton Centennial Library, and now enjoys photography and writing poetry from his home in Campbellton. Welcome, James!

Tony Merzetti is an award-winning arts administrator, who is currently Executive Director of the NB Film Cooperative. He is a part-time lecturer at UNB since 2000 in the Department of Media Arts and Culture where he teaches both digital and celluloid filmmaking. On his own time, he writes
Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, and Screenplay from his home in Fredericton, and he’s excited to meet one of his favourite authors, Linwood Barclay, when he appears in Moncton on September 27.  Welcome, Tony!

Victoria Pauley (http://www.victoriapauley.com/) writes romance from her home in Lower Coverdale. Welcome, Victoria!

Bryn Robinson lives in her hometown of Saint John, where she creates visual arts and poetry. Her poetry is published in the forthcoming chapbook Days in Microgravity (Emergency Flashmob Press, 2026), as well as the anthologies Soliloquies (Concordia University, 2024) and Facing Goodbye (Wee Sparrow Poetry Press, 2024). A regular contributor to The Seaboard Review (a community sponsor of the NB Book Awards!) she loves to read others’ poetry, non-fiction, and art essays. Welcome, Bryn!

Margaret Anne Smith joins us from Saint John, and we hope we can connect with her at a local upcoming event. Welcome, Margaret!

Christopher Sweet (http://www.authorchristophersweet.com/) Joins us from Tabusintac where he writes horror, science fiction, speculative fiction and thrillers. Welcome, Christopher!

Member News

Paul Burns is pleased to announce the publication of The Druid and the Dragon. Check out this adventurous new release for youthful readers. (Older readers will like it, too!) Available at Donovan Street Press.

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Sandra Bunting is pleased to announce the publication of her latest short story collection, Lost Feathers. 

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Sherry Coffey is pleased to announce the publication of a chapbook of poems, foraging, from High Marsh Press. She has the following readings planned in Fredericton:

Sunday September 27th 

The Catch up Reading Series - Westminster Bookmark at 3 pm

Sunday October 4 

Poetry Weekend - Chapbook launches at Memorial Hall, UNB, Time tbd

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Kelly Cooper is delighted to announce the launch of her children’s book,  Grey is Very Quiet, on November 14, 2026, 10:30 am - 11:30 am at the Fredericton Public Library.

“A delightful and whimsy-filled board book that introduces the very youngest of readers to the world of colours with text that is appropriately simple and which flows with a smooth, lilting cadence that lends itself well to being read aloud,” says Atlantic Books Today.

About writing Grey is Very Quiet, she says, "Grey is Very Quiet aims to teach young children about colour in a way that sparks imagination. Colour is light made visible, but it can also carry emotion and memory, playfulness and creativity. I hope that when children and adults read this book, they will be inspired to think about the many possibilities of colours. If blue can transform itself from a river into a mitten, what else can blue become?"

***

Tony Hebert's book, One Memory at a Time©, is now available as a free web-based app for smartphones, tablets and computers. (Check out this month's Inkspot blog, written by Tony about this important project.)

There is nothing to purchase and nothing to download from an App Store. After registering at www.onememoryatatime.org/app, users receive immediate access through their web browser. On a smartphone or tablet, you can also add One Memory at a Time to the Home Screen, so it appears and opens like any other app. If anything changes, the app will display the latest information.

WFNB member Frederick Mundle is publishing an anthology of the work of previously published NB poets, and is hoping for 80 submissions from writers like you! This is a second and final call for submissions.

He’s looking for at least one of your already published poems, the name of the journal, magazine, article or book in which it was published, along with the date of the publication.  Your poem will appear in a journal (title to be identified) which will highlight participating NB poets.  This is a pilot project which can be ready to go into print by Christmas depending upon the number of respondents and how quickly they can respond.  For further information contact Fred at babalabean@hotmail.com

Tasha Zima is pleased to announce that her newest novel, Ashby Lake After Dark: Rosa, released August 20. It's a paranormal romance featuring a billionaire vampire, a former dancer in hiding, a goat sanctuary, and the sort of found family that tends to make itself at home in all of her books. Tasha has also been working to bring more of her backlist into print distribution while continuing to build Ashby Lake as an interconnected story world across her contemporary and paranormal romances. And this fall, she’ll also be heading south for a two book signings in Fredericton.

***

Trent Pomeroy’s manuscript, Education of a Rabbit Thief won 2nd prize in the Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction, and will be published by Pottersfield Press in the coming year. Here's the link to the announcement. Very excited!

WRITING GROUPS

Edmundston member Tasha Zima is organizing an English-language romance writing group at the Edmundston Public Library beginning in September, 2026. The goal is to create a welcoming space for local romance writers to talk about the genre and publishing, write together, share work if they choose, and generally find some fellow writers in this very northern corner of New Brunswick. Meetings will occur monthly, every second Thursday from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Here is a link to the library details - https://www1.gnb.ca/0003/pages/en/biblio-e.asp?CODE=HE. If you're in the area, Tasha would love to have you join. 

EVENTS

Spindrifters, in partnership with Goose Lane Editions for the first season, is thrilled to announce St. Andrews Reads! This brand new initiative is a free, open to the public reading series which seeks to build dialogue and community one book at a time.

The first season of St. Andrews Reads! celebrates maritime publishing. The lineup features author Jon Tattrie and the brand new, expanded edition of his bestselling book Peace by Chocolate on Friday, October 23, and award-winning author and former St. Andrews resident Will Ferguson with his brand new novel Officer Shimada and the Disappearing Girl on Friday, November 20. The spring season is set to feature new books by Sue Sinclair and Beth Powning.

For more information on this exciting new reading series, you can head to the St. Andrews Reads Facebook page or contact Barbara Roberts at robertsolutions@gmail.com.

***

Fundy Bay Writers will host a co-facilitated Ekphrastic Workshop at Sunbury Shores Art & Nature Centre with Ramneet Kalra (from Fredericton) and me on Sunday, October 18th from 1:00 to 3:00pm. This event is free or by donations made to Sunbury Shores. If you are able to promote this workshop as an upcoming event in the WFNB online newsletter, that would be very much appreciated.  Those interested in attending could contact Louise Chase at ...  fundybaywriters@gmail.com for more information.

***

Attic Owl Reading Series – Moncton

Join us for another special event at the Attic Owl Reading Series on October 1 st at Cafe C'est La Vie. We're welcoming three poets each launching new books: Loch Baillie, Lisa Ritcher, and Leigh Kotsilidis.

Doors open at 5:00 pm and we'll get underway around 5:30. More info in the link below.

Hope you can join us!  https://www.facebook.com/share/14o4Gy8nLGR/

***

For Indigenous Writers Only… Monster House publishing is partnering with Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) to present Artrepreneurship on the Wolastoq, November 18–19, 2026. This is a three-day symposium which brings together Indigenous artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration. Through engaging presentations, panel discussions, and meaningful conversations, participants will explore how to build sustainable creative businesses while honouring Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and artistic traditions. This event includes a Pitching Pages panel - participants will move through a series of events including pitching their children's book manuscript, feedback & mentorships and a finalist judging panel with the winner getting their children's book published by Monster House Publishing as part of their 2028/2029 Catalogues. Registration is free (this event is exclusively for indigenous participants).

***

Sunday, September 30th
3:00 - 4:00 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, short stories, comics, novels, essays, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen. A projector will be set up for those with comics or other images or videos they want to share. Files can be brought on a USB or emailed in advance. Accessibility concerns and general questions can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.

***

Continued in Part 2!

CALLS FOR SUBMISSION

WFNB member Frederick Mundle is publishing an anthology of the work of previously published NB poets, and is hoping for 80 submissions from writers like you! He’s looking for at least one of your already published poems, the name of the journal, magazine, article or book in which it was published, along with the date of the publication.  Your poem will appear in a journal (title to be identified) which will highlight participating NB poets.  This is a pilot project which can be ready to go into print by Christmas depending upon the number of respondents and how quickly they can respond.  For further information contact Fred at babalabean@hotmail.com.    

Sunspot Lit’s open call: Supernova

Sunspot Lit’s open call for very long fiction, CNF, poetry and graphic novels closes August 31. Accepting all genres and categories. See guidelines and submission form, along with the journal’s other open calls (including art), here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.

***

Let your ideas leap off the page! The Fiddlehead's 2026 Fiction Contest is currently open for submissions! The best story will receive the $2000 prize and be published in Issue 310 of The Fiddlehead. This year's contest is being judged by Giller Prize longlisted author Kirti Bhadresa! You can find all our guidelines for submission here. Deadline to submit: September 1. 

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Calls for Submission from Lilac Arch Press

All About Christmas—an upcoming anthology about how we celebrate the season. We’re looking for short stories, essays, poetry, artwork, and photography that show how different people find meaning in the Christmas season. Yes, we want to see beauty, joy, and beloved family traditions. But, we also want to hear about the time you ruined the turkey and had to order take-out, the first Christmas without a loved one, or how you manage to deal with the stress of juggling too many to-do lists. Life can be messy and chaotic and that’s okay. We want to celebrate it all. In the quiet of your heart, what does Christmas mean to you? How do you find inspiration and contentment this time of year? Submissions will be open until January 31 2027 and can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

Hi-Lo Advent Book—Try your hand at crafting a short (250-500-word) holiday story for our hi-lo line for older adults. Hi-lo means high interest/ low reading level. Our hi-lo line can be enjoyed by anyone but is specially crafted for those experiencing cognitive impairments such as dementia. We are seeking heartwarming stories featuring older main characters. We are looking for stories that celebrate winter, the Christmas season, or the new year. Submissions close January 31, 2027 and can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

For a full list you can visit our submissions page.

Warm Wishes, Denise Leduc

***

Milton Park Publishing: Call for Projects — YA & Adult Fiction*

Diversité Artistique Montréal (DAM)’s publishing house, Milton Park Publishing, is seeking fiction manuscripts aimed at young adult (YA) or adult audiences, in English or French.

While this call for projects is ongoing and there is no hard submission deadline, our first review period will begin August 20th, 2026. In general, projects will be reviewed as they are received on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to submit your manuscript as soon as it's ready.

What We Are Looking For

We are interested primarily in commercial fiction, including fantasy, dystopian, romance, thrillers, women’s fiction, and general fiction. Ideally, your work does not exceed 180,000 words. Although we may in the future, we are not currently accepting screenplays, poetry, or short stories. We are accepting submissions from across Canada.

Note: We do not accept any work generated by artificial intelligence.

Selection Process

While projects are reviewed on an ongoing basis, each selected project must meet certain market-related criteria (distribution potential, fit with the target audience, commercial viability, among others) to ensure a successful launch for both the artist and the organization.

What We Offer

We support artists with the full range of services typically provided by a publishing house — editing, revision, art direction, production, distribution, and promotion — with a 50/50 revenue split. Our goal: to ensure artists genuinely benefit from the results of their work.

How to Submit

Queries should be directed to Katarina Dyck atmiltonpark@diversiteartistique.org. We only accept queries via email. Please paste the following materials into the body of your email: 

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Title and genre of your work
• An estimated word count
• A brief, general introduction

• Paragraph 2: Brief overview
• Brief synopsis (aka where you hook us!)

• Paragraph 3: Author bio
• Help us get to know you and your background a little better!

• OPTIONAL: Links to your website and/or previously published work

In addition to the above information, please attach the first ten pages of your manuscript to the email as a PDF. 

We look forward to discovering your stories!

*Note: This is a hybrid press.

Milton Park Publishing: Appel à projets — Livres de Fiction Jeune Adulte & Adulte*

La maison d’édition de Diversité Artistique Montréal (DAM), Milton Park Publishing, est à la recherche de manuscrits de fiction, principalement destinés à un public jeune adulte (YA) ou adulte, en français ou en anglais.

Bien que cet appel à projets soit en cours et qu'il n'y ait pas de date limite stricte pour les soumissions, notre première période d'examen commencera le 20 août 2026. En général, les projets seront examinés au fur et à mesure de leur réception, selon le principe du premier arrivé, premier servi. Nous vous encourageons à soumettre votre manuscrit dès qu'il est prêt.

Ce que nous recherchons

Nous nous intéressons principalement à la fiction commerciale, y compris la fantasy, la dystopie, les romans d'amour, les thrillers, la fiction féminine et la fiction générale. Idéalement, votre travail ne doit pas dépasser 180 000 mots. Bien que cela puisse changer à l'avenir, nous n'acceptons actuellement pas les scénarios, la poésie ou les nouvelles. Veuillez noter que nous n'acceptons aucun travail généré par l'intelligence artificielle. Nous acceptons des candidatures de partout au Canada.

Ce que nous offrons

Nous accompagnons les artistes avec l'ensemble des services qu'offre normalement une maison d'édition — édition, révision, direction artistique, production, distribution et promotion — avec un partage des revenus à parts égales (50/50). Notre objectif : que les artistes bénéficient réellement des retombées de leur travail.

Processus de sélection

Bien que l'évaluation se fasse en continu, chaque projet retenu doit répondre à certains critères liés au marché (potentiel de diffusion, adéquation avec le public cible, viabilité commerciale, entre autres) afin d'assurer une mise en marché réussie pour l'artiste comme pour l'organisme.

Comment soumettre

Les soumissions doivent être envoyées que par email à Katarina Dyck à l'adresse miltonpark@diversiteartistique.org. Veuillez coller les documents suivants directement dans le corps de votre email :

• Paragraphe 1 : Introduction
• Titre et genre de votre œuvre
• Nombre de mots estimé
• Une brève introduction générale 
• Paragraphe 2 : Bref synopsis (c’est là que vous nous accrochez !)
• Paragraphe 3 : Biographie de l’auteur
• Aidez-nous à mieux vous connaître et à en savoir un peu plus sur votre parcours !
• OPTIONNEL : Partager des liens vers votre site web et/ou vos travaux publiés auparavant

En plus des informations ci-dessus, veuillez joindre les dix premières pages de votre manuscrit à l'e-mail en PDF. 

Nous avons hâte de découvrir vos histoires !

*Remarque : Il s'agit d'une presse hybride.

***

A new independent literature magazine* is launching in New Brunswick. Weird River is looking for submissions in fantasy, horror and scifi with a deadline of August 15.  Contact editor Farley Chamberlain - weirdriver.magazine@gmail.com *Please note, as yet, there is no payment.

COMPETITIONS

 Writory  https://writoryofficial.com/international-poetry-contest

is a monthly international poetry contest — deadline the 25th of every month, low local-currency entry, a cash prize, and a certificate + judge score for every entrant. Because it never closes, it stays current on your listings all year, whichever month a reader finds them.

Since I first wrote, Writory is now listed on Duotrope, Christopher Fielden's competitions list, Poetry Ireland and Writing Corner — happy to send winner examples or anything you need for review.

***

The 2026 Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest is open

For immediate release: The sixteenth Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest is now open. Please share the news with your readers, audiences, and communities. 

Our annual juried contest spotlights new musical talent from around the world, offering four cash prizes and opportunities to be heard and published. In 2025, we received 127 submissions from 17 countries, including Canada, the U.S. and U.K., Italy, France, Japan, and others.

First prize: $500, a composer profile in Musicworks in 2027, and the composition released on the accompanying Musicworks CD.

Second prize: $200 and composer coverage on musicworks|.|ca in 2027.

Third prize: $100 and composer coverage on musicworks|.|ca in 2027.

Marcelle Deschênes Prize in Electronic Music / prix Marcelle Deschênes pour la musique électronique: $300 and a composer profile in 2027. This prize is open to entrants who self-identify as female or non-binary. Learn about the prize HERE.

REQUIREMENTS 

Compose and submit an experimental piece in any electronic-music genre—acousmatic, electroacoustic, glitch, soundscape, intelligent dance music (IDM), turntable art, or video music. The contest is open to entries from anywhere in the world and from artists at any stage of their careers. Pieces must be previously unpublished (i.e. not released on a commercially available recording at the time of submission). 

Maximum length: 10 minutes.  

Accepted file types: MP3 or MP4 only. 

Contest entry fee: $30. Unlimited additional entries are $5 each. 

All entrants receive a one-year print subscription to Musicworks ($44–$59 value).  

Contest closes November 9, 2026

Prize details, eligibility, assessment criteria, rules and restrictions, and the entry portal can be found HERE. 

CANADIAN WRITERS' LISTING

CANARTA - Writers’ profile directory

CANARTA is a Canadian storytelling platform, and what it does is simple: it gives writers, and artists of all kinds, a place to introduce themselves as people. Not a ranking. Not a review. A portrait — work, process, the person behind the page — in their own words.

The word "emerging" at CANARTA means career stage, not age. The member of yours who is publishing for the first time at fifty-eight belongs here exactly as much as the one who just left a workshop program. What they share is that their story hasn't been told yet to the audience it deserves. You can check out this directory at canarta.net 

TRAINING PROGRAM

CATAPULT Arts Accelerator applications for the Fall 2026 Session are now open!

CATAPULT gives New Brunswick artists the tools to be prolific and build sustainable careers.

Over a 12-week period, CATAPULT participants receive training in fundamental entrepreneurial skills like business modelling, marketing, branding, financial planning, and exporting.

Guest speakers and facilitators for the CATAPULT workshops are drawn both from the business and professional art community. Participants also receive one-on-one coaching from the program coordinator and formal mentorships from individuals operating at the top of their field.

Please share in your networks and with anyone you feel would benefit from this program!

Timeline and Details:

In-person in Saint John at the ArtsLink NB office

Saturdays from September 12 to December 5

9am to 4pm

No class October 10th

Launch day: December 12

Deadline: Sunday, August 16, 11:59pm

FREE for ArtsLink NB members.

Happy summer, Members and Friends!

For those of you who are on the edge of your seat, wondering since last Inkspot if I managed to harvest enough cherries from my tree to make a pie, the answer is yes - and a little bit of jam, too. Special thanks to a couple of readers who suggested similar ways to keep the birdies away. 

My apologies that our event pages for the fall program are not yet open for registration. I took some time for vacation (much needed, I'm afraid), and because most other folks involved in the planning process are also vacationing, it’s hard to pin down times, places and venues.

But for now, I can tell you about a few fun and exciting things on the horizon. Once again, if any of you would like to host an Open Mic this fall in your community with the help of the WFNB, let me know. We have one Open Mic tentatively on the schedule for November in the beautiful St. Andrews, but nothing else is on the books so far.

September

The Writers’ of the Realm Literary Festival, Fredericton Inn, September 19

WFNB will be handling the cover charge of $2 at the door, and we will have an information table set up. We’ll be bringing branded t-shirts and mugs for purchase, and you can bid on a stack of the 2026 New Brunswick Book Awards winning books. Hope to see you there.

Word Travels – September 27, Moncton, Linwood Barclay in conversation and book signing, venue and host TBA.

(In the WordSpring 2026 survey, I asked folks who their “wish list” speakers might be, and someone mentioned Linwood Barclay, the well-known Canadian author of thrillers and mysteries. It just so happens that he’ll be at the Cavendish Literary festival on September 26, and will be passing through Moncton on his way to another event in Halifax on Monday.)

October

Word Travels event - Thandiwe McCarthy reading and speaking about his new book in Fredericton, date and venue TBA

Word Travels event – Drawing for Writers with Jon Claytor- October 17, St. Martins, (tentatively @St. Martins Country Inn) - jonclaytor@gmail.com (maximum of 20 participants, lunch provided)

Word Travels event – Two workshops on October 31:  How and Why Atmosphere has a Place in Novels with Luke Beirne, and How to Write Noir/Crime fiction with Francis-Adrien Morneault, at The Write Cup Café and Bookstore, Market Square, Saint John

November

Online workshop – Researching your Next Novel, with Chuck Bowie, November 5 at 6 pm

Open Mic – November 12, 7 pm - 9pm, at the Drewhaven Town & Country Cafe and Restaurant, 255 Main St., St. Andrews

Pages in the Province - The WFNB will also have a table at Pages in the Province at NBEX, November 7, as will many of you. Hope to see you there!

December

No events booked in December so far, but we are planning ideas for an online workshop. Details soon.

January

Online Saturday Series – Building Up our Sensory Writing Muscles with Sandra Phinney - Jan 9, 16, 23, and 30 – (Maximum 8 participants)

February

Writers’ Retreat – Weekend of February 19

In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying some beach time in this hot weather (punctuated by brief bursts of rain) and that you are also finding time for your writing. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Cheers,

Rhonda

WordWorthy

On writing science fiction: “Your job is not to be blandly acceptable to everyone. The people who ‘hated it’ are not your readers. Know who you are. Know your target audience. Say something meaningful, something new and original.” Robert J. Sawyer, WordSpring 2026 keynote address

President’s message

A new week, a new month, coming off the NB Day long weekend. I hope everyone is making the most of the summer; it goes by so quickly. Blink, and youth will be returning to school, and authors from all over NB will be setting their sights on the Writers of the Realm Literary Fair in Fredericton. Hats off to Rebecca Carrigan for putting this extravaganza on and I look forward to seeing many of you there. After this relaxing summer, your Board of Directors will be getting back to work, looking for ways to make our community more vibrant. Reach out to any of us if you have some great ideas, availability to act on said ideas, or just say "hi". We're here for you.

Don Bourque, President, WFNB

Welcome, New Members

Louise Chase – Louise is a returning member, who writes for children, as well as creative nonfiction and poetry from her home in beautiful St. Andrews. She is also organizing an Open Mic for St. Andrews in November, date and venue TBA. Welcome, Louise!

Gary Crosby – (pen name, The Sapper) https://dwcarving.com/ Gary is a mixed-media artist from Oromocto whose artistic repertoire spans a variety of mediums, including woodcarving, epoxy, pyrography, and acrylics. HE writes fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, suspense and short stories. Welcome, Gary!

James Katan – James is a retired librarian from Campbellton who enjoys photography and poetry. Welcome, James!

Samuel McGraw – https://lestresartsdacadie.com/produit/la-tourette-et-moi/ Samuel is a Francophone Canadian who writes both autobiographical and fictional works. He published the biography La Tourette et moi at the Salon du livre de Dieppe and has also released fiction titles like The Last Impaler and Devil Hitman. Bienvenue, Samuel!

Stephanie Peters – Welcome to the WFNB, Stephanie!

Lida Mae Tiongzon – Lida Mae is currently studying organizational management at Crandall University, and writes memoir from her home in Dieppe. Welcome, Lida Mae!

Member News

Lynn Davies is happy to announce that her new picture book, “The Graveyard Cat” will be published this September 29. The book tells the tale of a spunky cat with neither a name nor a home who hangs out in a graveyard and meets a hungry fox and a curious kid.  The book, wonderfully illustrated by Jillian Thalman, is available for pre-order at your favourite bookstore or directly from Nimbus Publishing at 1-800-646-2879 or customerservice@nimbus.ca

Congratulations, Lynn!

***

Harold Skaarup is delighted to announce that he’s built two books for our museum in Fredericton:

1) Canadian Expeditionary Force & Militia Cap Badges: York Sunbury Historical Society Fredericton Region Museum Collection

-A reference book for the Canadian Army cap badges held in the York Sunbury Historical Society, Fredericton Region Museum collection. In addition to photos, this book includes brief summaries of the units they represent, along with the Accession Numbers for the artefacts as utilized by the museum to guide the visitor to the specific badge being researched.

2) Canadian Second World War Cap Badges: York Sunbury Historical Society Fredericton Region Museum Collection

The Fredericton Region Museum boasts an impressive collection of cap badges and medals. Operated by the York-Sunbury Historical Society, our rich holdings date back over 90 years, to when the Society was first established in 1932. From the very outset, cap badges and medals occupied an important interest for local collectors, who through the years have generously donated their prized holdings to the museum. The assemblage of cap badges featured within this publication covers the time period of the Second World War. It represents a concerted effort, on the part of several museum volunteers, to gather together a substantial number of our military badges. All are now safeguarded in the Fredericton Region Museum. We invite you to visit the museum to view these historic badges for yourself.

***

Basic Bruegel Editions is pleased to announce the publication of three new chapbooks:  ́  by poet Thibault Jacquot-Paratte;     by artist Bruce Barber; and  - - , a collaboration between Valerie LeBlanc and Daniel H. Dugas. The books were launched in Memramcook on April 19, 2026, at the Dans en l’air studio, where LeBlanc and Dugas had recently completed an artist residency.

***

Fresh off his dark fantasy series, the Baneseeker Chronicles, S. C. Eston returns to cyberpunk with his next project: a special edition of Deficiency, collecting all four Garadia short stories plus new behind-the-scenes material.

About the Story: On the arid world of Garadia, Keidi and Artenz have everything a citizen could want, until a friend's sudden disappearance cracks open the perfect image of Prominence City and pulls them into a fight against the corporations that control it.

Deficiency is an award-winning cyberpunk thriller (2021 Wishing Shelf finalist, BookView Gold Medalist) that unfolds over a single, relentless 24 hours — often compared to Blade Runner and Elysium.

About the Project: For the first time, the complete novel and all four Garadia short stories (Logbox, A Friend, A Dream, and Red Stars) are collected in one definitive hardcover volume, with a striking new blue-toned cover and exclusive extras, including a minute-by-minute timeline used during the writing of the story. Backers can even become a Champion of Garadia, with their name included at the very beginning of the special edition hardcover.

Launching August 2026 — click "Notify me on launch" to be there on day one! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sceston/deficiencyse?ref=35mqlk

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Samuel McGraw would like to present the French version of his book, La Tourette et Moi. Find the book here.

La Tourette et moi est le témoignage authentique de Samuel J. McGraw, qui raconte son parcours avec le syndrome de Gilles de la Tourette. De son enfance à l'âge adulte, il partage les défis, les préjugés et les épreuves qu'il a dû surmonter, tout en montrant qu'il est possible de bâtir une vie malgré les obstacles.

À travers son histoire, l'auteur souhaite sensibiliser le public au syndrome de Gilles de la Tourette, offrir de l'espoir aux personnes vivant avec cette condition ou d'autres difficultés, et rappeler que chacun possède la force de persévérer face à l'adversité.

À propos de l'auteur

Samuel J. McGraw est un auteur canadien francophone de Dieppe, au Nouveau-Brunswick. Il écrit des œuvres autobiographiques et de fiction. Il est notamment l'auteur de La Tourette et moi, ainsi que des romans The Last Impaler et Devil Hitman. Vivant lui-même avec le syndrome de Gilles de la Tourette, il utilise l'écriture pour sensibiliser le public à cette condition et partager son expérience. Son parcours a été présenté à Radio-Canada OHdio et dans Acadie Nouvelle, où il explique comment l'écriture l'a aidé à surmonter les défis liés à son diagnostic.

En anglais:

About the Book

La Tourette et moi (Tourette and Me) is the true story of Samuel J. McGraw's journey living with Tourette syndrome. From childhood to adulthood, he shares the challenges, misunderstandings, and personal struggles he faced while learning to accept himself and persevere through life's obstacles.

More than a memoir, this book aims to raise awareness of Tourette syndrome, encourage understanding, and offer hope to anyone living with a disability or facing difficult circumstances. Through honesty and resilience, Samuel shows that even life's greatest challenges can become a source of strength.

About the Author

Samuel J. McGraw is a French-Canadian author from Dieppe, New Brunswick. He writes both autobiographical and fiction works, including La Tourette et moi, The Last Impaler, and Devil Hitman. Living with Tourette syndrome, he is passionate about raising awareness and helping others better understand the condition through his writing. His story has been featured by Radio-Canada OHdio and Acadie Nouvelle, where he spoke about his experiences with Tourette syndrome and how writing became an important part of his journey toward acceptance and resilience.

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Indigo Books Fredericton location will be  hosting Author Heather Browne Sunday/ August/ 23^rd from 12:00 to 3:00PM. featuring a second Edition of her short story collection : A Moose In The Dark."

Happy July, Members and Friends.

I make no bones about it. I think every day of the year should be a brilliant Saturday in July. Today is pretty good too, even though it’s a Monday. I’m typing on the deck, while surveying my little dominion of one-tenth of an acre.

Except for the wind. The wind is a real pain.

I’ve got this cherry tree, you see, a Montmorency. I planted it five summers ago, and I’ve been waiting all this time for enough cherries to make one pie. That’s all I ask, just one pie.

And this year, I think it’s gonna happen – unless the damn birds eat them all.

The stupid blue jays and blackbirds and morning doves are feasting on my not-quite-ripe cherries, and oh, I hate that.

(Don’t feel too sorry for the birds, nature lovers. There are two bird feeders on my property – one at the front, and one at the back- and they are full All. The. time. )

The same six or eight birds hang out on the rooftops, swoop down and eat from the feeders constantly until they are empty - spring, summer, winter, fall. They are fat, freeloading birds.

Good for them - but they can’t have my cherries. I want a pie.

Short of standing guard at my tree and whacking away at them with a broom, what do I do? We bought a few nets and managed to cover my growing tree, connecting them with clothespins.

This method worked quite well last night, as it was a peaceful evening. It was quite a lot of fun to sit here and watch the birds unsuccessfully dive-bomb the nets, only to be thwarted. They squawked with indignity as they flew away.

I felt like Wile E. Coyote!

Not so today.

 A gusty wind is blowing through our wind tunnel of a backyard, which has accommodated the birds by lifting up the nets like a parachute and sailing the whole thing across the yard.

Not to be deterred, we picked the nets back up, placed them over the tree again and staked them down. We’ll see how long it lasts. At least we tried, and if I don’t get to keep enough cherries for dessert, at least there’s the grocery store.

How’s your summer going, writers?

By August Inkspot, the fall event schedule should be up and running. First up will be the Writers of the Realm Literary Festival in Fredericton on September 19, and the WFNB will be there, taking part in the festivities. They are also looking for various volunteers. For more information, check out: https://www.sakurabluestudios.ca/fantasy-book-ball-2026

We are also planning a few Saturday WordTravels workshop and reading events around the province, as well as our fall/winter online workshop schedule. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, enjoy the sun and write well!

WordWorthy

 “Can you do this? Yes. But be prepared to put in the time. My first attempt took 200 hours. It’s still worth doing - Your own voice is a connection with the audience.” Joe Mahoney, Record your own Audiobooks, WordSpring 2026

Welcome New Members

Leslie Sloat joins us from Maugerville. Welcome Leslie, and we hope to meet you at a fall event.

Sebastien Legault writes essays and poetry from his home in Fredericton. Welcome, Sebastien!

Member News

Leo LaFleur is pleased to announce that his novel, Downey (Galleon Press, 2026) is now available for pre-order! Get it here: https://galleonbooks.ca/direct-orders/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTB8ndleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETI4QW5FOFh0QmsyaFo2a0JQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHki1wU8kEJ-UG95wlmH9EzM81wQV6J7gURyQ80d4DgcXIpdZMnv9dkPIbxEl_aem_oXok5aunVIncUZto4s6uRA

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Brent Mason is pleased to announce that his short story collection, The Root Cellar (Galleon Press, 2026) is also available for preorder! Get it here: https://galleonbooks.ca/direct-orders/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTB8ndleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETI4QW5FOFh0QmsyaFo2a0JQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHki1wU8kEJ-UG95wlmH9EzM81wQV6J7gURyQ80d4DgcXIpdZMnv9dkPIbxEl_aem_oXok5aunVIncUZto4s6uRA

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James Mullinger and his son River have written a children’s book! It’s being published this Fall by Pottersfield Press, and it’s all about a mini doodle named Willow. Willow is shy and insecure, and struggles to connect with other dogs. But through a series of exciting adventures, Willow finds her place in the world and learns how to feel confident and overcome shyness in social settings. Available for pre-order here: https://jamesmullinger.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d497f6a30b7b430261da53302&id=ba9eb998f0&e=bf4daa3b10

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Congratulations to Jen Selk, for being shortlisted on the 2026 Whistler Independent Book Awards for her poetry collection, Landmarks & Beacons! Finalists will be announced August 5. More on the shortlisted winners here: The Whistler Independent Book Awards, sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada and in partnership with the Whistler Writing Society, is pleased to announce the 2026 Shortlist (listed alphabetically by author surname).

The book is available widely online, via Amazon globally, also Barnes & Noble in the USA. To support a local indie bookshop, there should still be copies at The Write Cup Bookstore and Cafe in Saint John. And folks can buy from Jen directly via her website: https://jenselk.com/books/ as well or contact her on IG @willandbequeath as well. 

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Thandiwe McCarthy is pleased to announce the publication of Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy (Goose Lane Editions, July 28) confronts the false belief that Black history in New Brunswick is negligible. Co-created by historian Dr. Mary McCarthy-Brandt, photographer Gary Weekes, and poet Thandiwe McCarthy — a seventh-generation Black Canadian — it weaves historical documents, first-person stories, original poetry, and portraiture into an untold story of resilience and belonging and the lasting contributions of a community whose actions and influence have often been omitted from the public record.

The book arrives alongside a landmark summer: an exhibition opening at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery on July 18, and the Still Here Emancipation Celebration Festival, July 31–August 3, culminating in a mass photograph in front of the NB Legislature on Emancipation Day, August 1 at 2pm. Come stand in that picture — it belongs to all of us.

Support Black New Brunswick heritage

Order your copy here: https://gooselane.com/products/still-here 

Festival details and full schedule: https://stillherefestival.ca/

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Got some fantastic news to share? An event you want everyone to attend? Send me the deets at info@wfnb.ca

Upcoming Events

Free Playwriting & Embodied Experience Workshop!

with NotaBle Acts Playwright/Dramaturg in Residence Jill Connell

Sunday, July 19, 2026                                                                             

12:00pm – 3:00pm

UNB Carleton Hall room 304

No charge

A workshop for creative writers and theatre-makers interested in exploring the form and structure of plays. We will use free-writing exercises to explore our experience of the world and the feeling of things (versus an objective or outside perspective about the “logic” of things). We will then look for an associated shape that might contain this experience in live performance and explore this via dramatic writing. We’ll share these aloud with each other, prioritizing availability over interpretation and experimentation over perfection.

All levels of experience are welcome. Please bring a notebook and pen. Limited spots available: email jill@itcouldstillhappen.com to register by July 17.

Jill Connell (she/they) is a playwright and theatre artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Her plays include The Supine Cobbler (published with Coach House Books), Arctic Ocean, HROSES: An Affront to Reason, The Tall Building and The Shark Tumour Collection. She runs the independent theatre company It Could Still Happen: a collective of interdisciplinary artists who create performances based on text, space and embodied practice. In March 2026, ICSH premièred their most recent work, The Herald, in partnership with Canada’s longest-running queer theatre, Buddies in Bad Times.

Jill is a graduate of the playwriting program at the National Theatre School of Canada and holds a Masters in English from the University of New Brunswick. The past few years, she is fortunate to teach performance and creative writing at Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Toronto, Sheridan College, and Humber College. Jill has had four productions with NotaBle Acts, including her thesis play The Shark Tumour Collection, directed by Len Falkenstein (2006). She is thrilled to return to Fredericton after so long and grateful for the warm welcome.

Hello, Members and Friends:

There isn’t a lot of news this month related to competitions, submission calls, or event to share, which tells me that it’s summertime – time to slow down, breathe, enjoy the beach and the hot sun - and maybe get some actual writing done.

Before you do that, though, scroll down a little and you will see a long list of New Members. Our growing membership is in itself exciting to note, but it never ceases to amaze me how wide a variety of interests and experiences are reflected in our membership. Take the time to look up some of your fellow members’ work and appreciate all the great writing that is being produced here in our province.

To everyone who attended WordSpring (May 29 -31), I hope you enjoyed the event and found it both useful and informative. To everyone who helped make the weekend a success, thank you, and to everyone who responded to the survey, thank you.

The Annual General Meeting was held on June 11, and the board is thankful for the number of people who made the effort to attend and helped us easily achieve a quorum. Much appreciated, thank you.

With that, we present the new slate of executive and board directors:

Executive

Don Bourque President

Ana Larade Vice-President

Cat LeBlanc Treasurer (also serving her second year as Past-President)

Stephen Roney Secretary

Directors

Ramneet Kalra

Donovan Richard

Casey Shelley

Alison Taylor

Jordan Trethewey (pronounced Treth-ooo-eee)

Welcome to the new board and executive! There is plenty of strategic work ahead, but hopefully lots of fun and rewarding experiences, too.

Our programming for the 2025-26 season wrapped up today with an open mic in Saint John. Over the summer, we will be planning our fall/winter program of activities, as well as next year’s WordSpring in Moncton. If you have ideas for guest speakers to invite to key events in upcoming seasons, locations for Open Mics, or topics for professional development workshops, please contact me at info@wfnb.ca. In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine, and I hope you have a restful and restorative summer.

Cheers,

Rhonda

WordWorthy:

“Endings are impossible…That said, write two or three endings: one that is expected, one that is surprising, and one that is experimental. Good endings tend to be bittersweet - in other words, some things are resolved, but life goes on with its problems...” Lesley Choyce, The Craft of Fiction, WordSpring 2026.

Welcome, New Members

Ani Baratram – Ani writes in the genres of Nonfiction, poetry and spiritual from Saint John. Welcome, Ani!

Luke Francis Beirne –(lukefrancisbeirne.com) is an author and journalist with CBC. He was born in Ireland and now lives in Saint John. He is an author of three books: Saints Rest, Blacklion, and Foxhunt. His genres are fiction, historical fiction, journalism and freelance writing.

Emmanuelle Claus-Jackson -  (https://substack.com/@mannysabina) Emmanuelle Claus-Jackson is a multidisciplinary artist residing in Fredericton, New Brunswick. They have one self-published poetry book titled Oceanbrained, and have had poems published in online magazines and video formats. They also write plays, with their debut play titled "Playground" being a winner of the 2023-2024 Braver Stages Festival at St. Thomas University. Emmanuelle writes
Creative nonfiction, Non-Fiction, Photography, Playwriting, Poetry, and Young Adult. Welcome, Emmanuelle!

Evan Cook – No details on Evan, but we welcome him!

Angella Cormier – (www.ancorcreativesolutions.com and www.mysteriousink.ca) is a writer from Moncton who is also a is a multimedia designer with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. She has published four books, as well as five short stories in the Seasonal Paths and Elements anthologies. She has also been published in a poetry collection. She is currently working on two novels and many short stories. She loves the genres of Fiction, Horror, Poetry, Mystery, Thrillers, and general Short stories. Welcome, Angella!

Dan Culberson – Dan’s genres are Essays, Photography, Playwriting and Poetry. Welcome, Dan!

Kristina Drake - www.kristinadrake.ca Kristina is a poet, writer and editor living off the beaten path in New Brunswick and Hungary, and writes in a wide variety of genres: Blogging, Corporate, Creative nonfiction, Editing, Essays, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Copywriting, Website copy, Freelance, Travel Writing. Welcome, Kristina! Check out Kristina on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18579042.Kristina_Drake
And Substack: https://silentquestions.substack.com/

Jocelyn Fraser -  Welcome, Jocelyn!

Jordan Greer – (deadlanguagefilms.com) Jordan is a writer and filmmaker. His work includes commissioned feature scripts, independent films, and extensive story editing. He owns and operates a film production company, with over a decade of experience in the industry. Jordan writes essays, plays, poetry, and screenplay. Welcome, Jordan!

Kevin Andrew Heslop – (kevinandrewheslop.com) is the author of several books of non-fiction and poetry, and also writes in a wide variety of genres: Comedy, Creative nonfiction, Editing, Essays, Journalism, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Screenplay, Flash/Micro fiction, Travel Writing. Welcome, Kevin!

D Bruce Hughes – writes memoir and nonfiction from his home in Douglas. His first memoir, A Stroke of Luck (Purple Porcupine Publishing, 2025) was shortlisted for a WFNB Nonfiction Award in the 2026 NB Book Awards. Welcome, Bruce!

Vaughn McIntyre – (pen name Vaughn McIntyre) Vaughn is retired in St. Andrews, and published Cruising the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas on 50 Words a Day (Independent, 2024). Welcome, Vaughn!

Wendy Moore - Over the span of a 35-year career Wendy developed communication strategies for information technologies, publishing, broadcasting, government, advertising agencies and performing arts. These days, Wendy is retired, and now writes for pleasure, including poetry and a novel in progress. Her specialities are Corporate writing, Editing, Fiction, Poetry, Technical writing, and Website copy. Welcome, Wendy!

Devangana Sharma – Is a student member, having won third place in the Sheree Fitch Prize for Teen Writers in the 2026 NB Writing Competition for her piece, Between Red and Green. Welcome, Devangana!

Scott Stephens – Scott took second place in the Alfred.G. Bailey Prize for poetry manuscript in the 2026 NB Writing Competition. He writes poetry and songs from his home in Shediac, and has two publications: Literary Heist, and Harbinger Asylum. Welcome, Scott!

Carl Stymiest – (pen name Karel Joseph) Is a retired teacher, born and raised in New Brunswick, but living in Vancouver, BC. During his varied teaching career, Carl managed to author no fewer than fourteen published titles. He writes in the genres of  Editing, Essays, Historical Fiction, Memoir, Photography, Poetry, Travel Writing. Welcome, Carl!

William Toner – Is a musician and a writer who focuses on Fantasy and Science Fiction from his home in Grand Bay – Westfield. Welcome, Bill!

Jordan Trethewey https://jordantretheweywriter.wordpress.com/ is a new member of our board of directors. He’s a poet from Fredericton with several published collections, and enjoys a wide variety of writing interests: Children's, Corporate, Creative nonfiction, Editing, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Journalism, Non-Fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Science Fiction, Technical, Copywriting, Website copy, Freelance, Spoken Word, and Short stories. Welcome, Jordan!

Member News 

Dina E Cox is pleased to announce the launch her new poetry collection, “What Holds,” at Gallery 78 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Thursday June 25^th at 7 p.m. Maritime-born and bred, Dina, who taught English at Fredericton High School before moving to Ontario, is delighted to bring her poetry home to her native province, and to share it in such an inspirational setting as Gallery 78. “What Holds” was published in December 2025 by Aeolus House, and is Dina’s second collection of poetry.

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Pat Carlson will be doing a book signing and reading on July 14th at 6:00 p.m. in Dalhousie New Brunswick. At the Restigouche Regional Museum, 424 Williams St. The former Courthouse.

Anyone wishing to pre-purchase can do so at pennedbypat.ca It takes about two weeks for delivery.

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Robbi Ann Gunter is pleased to announce the publication of "Bad Luck in Cairo", a short story presented as a parable. She recently read from the work at the WFNB Open Mic in Fredericton.

Inspired by a class exercise in Heather Browne's "Writing Well" series and a zine-making workshop at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Robbi combined her love of writing and graphic design to create a zine-inspired paperback publication.

While fictional, "Bad Luck in Cairo" explores perception, blind spots, and the unseen ways our lives affect others.

Learn more about Robbi and her work at https://linktr.ee/robbi.ann

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Kathy Mac is pleased to announce that she was one of 50 writers featured in celebration of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia’s 50^th birthday. Here is the feature: ️ Kathy Mac has published three poetry books (with Roseway Publishing), two on writing (with Wording Around), and one of essays (with Wolsak and Wynn). She retired from teaching Creative Writing at Saint Thomas University in Fredericton, NB, and now lives near Kjipuktuk in the territory of the Mi'kmaq. Swipe for more on Kathy's work and inspirations—and her recommendation of Open Book Coffee (Halifax | @openbookcoffee).

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Jennifer Shelby is delighted to announce the publication of her speculative short story collection, Borrowed Wings and other stories. This collection is the terrestrial counterpart to the collection of her published work being archived at the south pole of the Moon as part of the Lunar Codex Polaris Archive. Borrowed Wings and other stories collects 22 of Jennifer's published short stories and 4 brand new tales where wonder walks hand in hand with hope. Here is the universal book link: https://mybook.to/Borrowed-Wings

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Ramneet Kalra's book Stranded Immigrant, first published in Fredericton NB, has now been published in India. Stranded Immigrant is one of the ten top recommended books for summer reading in The Hindu, a leading Indian newspaper, with approximately 247,000,000 readers.

https://www.thehindu.com/brandhub/pr-release/best-10-recommended-book-for-summer-2026/article70978448.ece

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/brandhub/pr-release/best-10-recommended-book-for-summer-2026/article70978484.ece

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Kevin Andrew Heslop is a new WFNB member, a NB Film Co-op member, and host of the twice monthly NBFC Screenwriters’ Café . He’s passing through Saint John for a book signing and book launch on Tuesday, June 16th—4pm at the Library and 6pm at The Write Cup—and he’d love to cross paths with Saint John writers, as perhaps you’ll be able to work together on a book, film, television, or theatre project someday! 

25% of all book sales will go to CHCO-TV and The Courier in St. Andrew’s, and another 25% to be divvied up among actors reading a couple of vignettes from a theatre adaptation of the book. He has three of six actors committed at this point, so if you or someone else might be wiling to join, let Kevin know!

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Happy Publication Day to Valerie Sherrard and ABSOLUTELY NO BODY PARTS!

Valerie Sherrard #IReadCanadian #kidlit #publicationday

Newsy Bits

Request for Beta Reader: Franky Corcoran, a playwright and aspiring author from Miramichi, New Brunswick, has written a new draft for a crime novel, his first. Franky is looking for a beta reader to provide feedback on his draft. If anyone is interested in helping Franky, please contact him by phone at (506) 624-3315, or his email, fcorcoran10@yahoo.com

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With Allan Hudson taking a step back from producing the Greater Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe Book Fair (GMRD), and seeing as no one wants GMRD to close its doors, we're happy to announce that GMRD will continue into 2027 and beyond!

A huge thank you to Allan for trusting us enough to hand over the reins!

So, who are we exactly? We're a team of three dedicated book dragons with a love of New Brunswick and the bookish community here. Let us introduce ourselves! First, there's Tharis, owner and operator of Fabled Books, a consignment service for authors. Second, there's Lou Spaccio, author of Tails of Us and seasoned freelance book editor at Sunflower Chronicles. And lastly, say hello to Katherine Bogle, author of over 20 titles and talented cover designer.

All three of us are thrilled to continue Allan's wonderful legacy. We don't plan on changing much, besides how we market. Our plan is quickly building with each passing day and we hope to have you with us at our first time hosting GMRD. It'll be the 5th annual celebration and we hope to make it one to remember!

With that being said our 2027 date is May 1st!

More information will follow as soon as it's available, including the sign up form. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reply to this email.

Warm Regards,

​GMRD Coordinators

gmrd@gmrd.ca

Hello, Members and Friends.

WordSpring is right around the corner, and I hope you plan to join us this year! The lineup should be fun and interesting, and as writers, it’s always great to learn, socialize and network together. There’s still room for you, if you’d like to attend.

In the meantime, we await the results from a couple more judges from The NB Writing Competition before we can announce results, but we expect them soon. Winners will be contacted by phone or email, and a news release will be posted to social media immediately following. Hopefully we can hear several of the winners read at the literary soiree at WordSpring, on Friday, May 29.

Once again, also 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 in the next couple of weeks. With a rising membership, we will require at least 42 members to reach quorum (notice the missing “n”), although you can give your proxy vote in writing to an attending member, including the president.

We are holding two more open mics before we break for the summer, one in Fredericton on June 9 hosted by Rebecca Carrigan of Sakura Blue Studios, and one in Saint John on June 13, hosted by Julia Wright. I think there are still a few more spots available!

Fundraising Committee –The WFNB would like to strike a fundraising committee that could focus on creating sustainability and financial growth for our organization, which is now a registered charity. If you have expertise or interest in this area, please contact the office. info@wfnb.ca

That’s it for me – I hope to see many of you at the end of the month!

Cheers,

Rhonda

WordWorthy

“I was thrilled to know that you could write about where you lived.” Ann Brennan, co-founding member, speaking of her introduction to writing, in the early days of the WFNB.

President’s Message

Hello, fellow writers! We have an exciting month, having just conducted another Open Mic, this time in Shediac. Keep watching for other dates and locations. We also have WordSpring coming up at the end of the month, which promises great value for all who attend. Coincident to the weekend will also be the NB Writing Competition Literary Soiree and the NB Book Awards!

We’ve also created a way you can promote your membership in our Federation, in your email signature block, and/or as a decal to dress up your book covers. The design can be found in our members-only section, (login with your username and password, then go to the members-only section and scroll down and click the pink button “Member Email Signature.” )

If you choose to print decals, we ask that they be 2.5 cm (1 in) round, with laminate.

Finally, with the AGM coming up in June and 3-4 vacancies forecast on the Board of Directors, now is a great time to get more involved with the governance of the WFNB. As Past President, Cat LeBlanc would love to hear from you as the Nominating Committee Chair.

Longer days and shorter nights, let’s get busy!

Welcome, New Members

Judy Barr – is a new author from Saint John, who’s recently published her first novel, The Gospel of Bug. After a career in chemical engineering put her in many extreme environments, along with a prolonged battle with cancer, Judy concluded that despite its flaws, life is still worth living. This appreciation informs her writing. Welcome, Judy!

Jamie Campbell –(pen name, JM Campbell, website, jmcampbell.net ) has had a long career working as a publisher and editor from his home in Fredericton. But his first love is writing, and he recently finished his sixth novel, The Angel of Sallow Cove. Jamie is a short story writer, poet and ghostwriter for autobiography and business topics for The Wall Street Journal and Wired Magazine. Jamie also enjoys fiction, horror, mystery, and thrillers. Welcome, Jamie!

Julie DeMayer –is a retired high school principal. Julie has been a lifelong writer and dabbles in creative nonfiction, memoir, nonfiction, poetry, and spiritual from her home in Scoudouc. Welcome, Julie!

Amanda Evans - Amanda J Evans is a short story writer and novelist living in Saint John, New Brunswick, who has been published in numerous anthologies. She is affiliated with Write Now Saint John, Partridge Island Publishing Inc, The Write Cup Bookstore Café, Chapter-by-Chapter beta reading group, and The Beta Reading Book Club, through which she’s developed great connections with wonderful friends. Amanda enjoys working on fantasy, speculative fiction, and flash/micro fiction. Welcome, Amanda!

Sonya Hinds –Originally from Alberta, Sonya retired to New Brunswick, expecting to become a novelist, but instead discovered poetry. That is power of the word! Along with poetry, she loves fiction and historical fiction. Welcome, Sonya!

Paul F. McCarthy –Paul writes for children, as well as fiction, nonfiction, mystery from his home in Fredericton. Welcome, Paul!

Bonny Pond –Writes creative nonfiction from her home in Moncton. Welcome, Bonny!

Harold Skaarup –(www.SilverHawkAuthor.com ) Major (Retired) Harold Skaarup,CD3, BFA, MA, served as an Army Intelligence Officer with the Canadian Forces (CF) for 40 years, retiring in 2011.  Now living in Fredericton, Harold serves on the Board of Directors of the Fredericton Region Museum and as a volunteer tour guide with the New Brunswick Military History Museum. He has written a number of books on New Brunswick military history. He is a blogger, an illustrator, and focuses on nonfiction and technical genres. Welcome, Harold!

Joseph Van Landschoot –(pen name, Joe Van, website: https://thejoevan.com/) Joseph Van Landschoot is novelist and screenwriter. His script for “Agent Heads” won Best Original Story category at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles.  He writes fiction, romance, science fiction, speculative fiction, young adult, mystery, thrillers, and short stories. Welcome, Joseph!

Kate Wallace – (katewallace.ca) is a national award-winning journalist, essayist, filmmaker, and storyteller from Rothesay, whose work spans print media, brand storytelling, and filmmaking. A former arts reporter for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal and executive director of ArtsLink NB, she founded Kate Wallace & Co., a one-woman copywriting agency. She is working on a memoir about ADHD, parenting, and personhood. Kate writes in the genres of corporate. creative nonfiction, essays, journalism, memoir, nonfiction, copywriting, website copy, freelance and travel. Welcome, Kate!

Member News

Paul Burns is delighted to announce the publication of his young adult novel, The Druid and The Dragon, by Donovan Street Press, in September, 2026. The Druid and The Dragon represents the first New Brunswick author published by Donovan Street Press (publisher is WFNB member Joe Mahoney) and the first to be discovered at a WFNB Pitch the Publisher event in 2025. Paul is a life-long reader of science fiction & fantasy, and has a great affinity for spaceships and dragons. Paul's first two books, "Owen and the Dinosaur" and “Emily Finds a Dragon” were for younger readers; the latter was nominated for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Award. Donovan Street Press Inc. is a boutique publishing house headquartered in Riverview, New Brunswick. We specialize in high-concept, genre-bending science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and memoir.

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Francis-Adrien Morneau is pleased to announce that his book, The Light of Faded Stars, has been made a finalist for the CANREADS Book Review in Adult Fiction. The award ceremony takes place in Toronto May 30 (WordSpring weekend!) “A fresh take on the classic detective story, The Light of Faded Stars blends mystery with a powerful exploration of memory, regret, and connection. Told through the fragmented reflections of a dying detective, it delivers as much emotional depth as it does intrigue.” (CANREADS Book Review – Judges, Finalist in Adult General Fiction) 

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Michael Simon is excited to announce that he has signed two more book deals, this time with Aethon Books for Books Four and Five of his First Command series, Fourth Wave (releasing May 12) and Fifth Horizon, to be released in 2027. Thanks to my agent, Michelle, at Storm Literary and the fantastic team at Aethon.

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Zev Bagel’s SHEDIAC LAUNCH of Sopworth’s Foibles takes place May 15 at the Shediac Art Gallery, 59 Ohio Road, 5 to 7 pm.

Events

WRITERS’ OPEN MIC

Sunday, May 31st, from 3:00 - 4:30 pm, at 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.

 

CALLS FOR SUBMISSION & AWARDS

The Seaboard Review of Books* is launching a monthly fiction department, and we’re looking for submissions from new, emerging, and established writers from around the world – previously published or unpublished. All genres are welcome, so long as the stories are driven by character, theme, and language—which you can interpret as you see fit. We’re looking for stories no longer than 4,000 words. Unfortunately, we don’t have the budget to pay writers at this time, but we promise to give you a warm and helpful editing experience (if required), and we’ll promote your work like we wrote it ourselves.  Send your stories to seaboardfiction@gmail.com. Include a cover letter with a short bio outlining any past publications, and send files that are compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx, etc.).

*Please note this opportunity is unpaid

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Unlock your story! The Fiddlehead's 2026 Creative Nonfiction Contest is currently open for submissions! The best creative nonfiction essay will receive the $2000 prize and be published in Issue 309 of The Fiddlehead. This year's contest is being judged by award-winning essayist Brian Braganza! You can find all our guidelines for submission here. Deadline to submit: June 1. 

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Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book and Magazine Awards 2026 Competition

Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book and Magazine Awards for Social Justice Writing

There are two separate awards. The book award is set at $5,000 and the magazine award is set at $2,000. Since the awards can be given before publication and book and magazine publishing timelines can differ, so do the requirements for each award. What is a Freelance Writer?

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE AWARDS, FREELANCE WRITERS MUST:

Submit work related to the area of social justice

Work a minimum of 70% of their time as a self-employed freelance writer

Be a continuing resident of Canada

Check out https://www.greberwritingaward.com/

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Applications Now Open for the 2026 Whiting Foundation Nonfiction Grants for Works-in-Progress

The Whiting Foundation (whiting.org) is proud to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Nonfiction Grants for Works-in-Progress. These grants of $40,000 are awarded to writers in the process of completing a creative and deeply researched work of nonfiction. Projects must be under contract with a publisher located in the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada.

Since 2016, more than 80 writers have received these grants, which are designed to encourage original and ambitious projects by giving recipients the additional means to pursue exacting research and devote time to composition. Successful applicants are at a crucial point mid-process, after significant work has been completed but when extra support can make a difference in the ultimate shape and quality of the work.

The Whiting Foundation welcomes applications for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories. Self-help titles, historical fiction, textbooks, books primarily for a scholarly audience, and books for young readers are not eligible.

Applications are due by May 31, 2026. For a full list of application requirements, a list of previous winners, and to apply, please visit whiting.org/writers/creative-nonfiction-grant/about.

Any questions regarding applications should be directed to awards-grants@whiting.org.

Our Canadian Poetry Collection

We publish both carefully restored editions of significant Canadian works and contemporary modern Canadian poetry. Our Canadian Poetry Reprint Collection spans:

• Major Confederation Poets — the founding voices of Canada’s national literary identity
• Post-Confederation Poets — voices that extended and enriched the Confederation tradition
• Late Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian Poets — rich works from the turn of the twentieth century
• The Restoration Period — verse from a transformative era in Canadian literary history
• The Vaudeville School — a distinctive strand of performance-rooted Canadian poetry
• Modern Canadian Voices — contemporary works from today’s Canadian literary landscape

Our catalog includes 117 titles, all available in beautiful, affordable paperback editions. The complete catalog is attached for your reference.

Open Call for Manuscript Submissions

We also warmly welcome manuscript submissions for review through our website. If you have members — emerging or established — working on poetry manuscripts and seeking a Canadian publishing home, please do pass this invitation along. We are especially interested in work that contributes to the continuing story of Canadian poetry, in any of its many traditions and voices.

Submissions can be sent through our website at www.ronaldpfrye.com, or by reaching out to Susan Frye directly, susan@ronaldpfrye.com

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Sequestrum is excited to announce two new themed calls: Family and Place! Family welcomes stories that explore the bonds that shape us, exploring the endless ways family can ground us, fracture us, follow us across time. Place invites work rooted in setting, where landscapes both natural and constructed become inseparable from the self. Whether you’re tracing the ties that bind or mapping the spaces that hold us, we look forward to reading your work.

Family submission details are here: https://sequestrum.org/themed-submissions-family

Place submissions are here: https://sequestrum.org/theme-place

And as always, our general submission guidelines are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/submissions

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!

Faith Nason (https://a.co/d/00xJHQCX) recently published The Missing Memories of Faith, and is interested in the genres of Memoir and Nonfiction. Welcome, Faith!

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!

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)