The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick Book Prize recognizes the best book of nonfiction published by a New Brunswick resident in a given year. Since 2015 the prize has been sponsored by the Brennan family on behalf of the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick. WFNB began three decades ago as a few friends gathered in a writers’ living room. Today, we’re a province-wide organization with more than 300 members living in every corner of New Brunswick. 2023 Winner
Judge Madhur Anand's Citation: An intimate, revealing, and fascinating exploration into the mind and mind's eye of Canadian painter Mary Pratt, this book deftly displays the porous interface between life and art, biographer and biographer, literary text and visual art. A beautiful book itself as an art object, a meaningful addition to art history, this book also succeeds as a complex, subtle portrayal of an important artist and her lifelong vision. Also on the shortlist: Valerie Sherrard and Natalie Hyde, More than Words: Navigating the Complex World of Communication (DCB Young Readers); Miramichi; illustrated by David Jardine Jason Bell, Cracking the Nazi Code (Harper Collins), Fredericton
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2017 AwardsWinner: Rachel Bryant Judge Andrew Westoll's citation: "Great nonfiction often challenges the reader to reconsider their place in the world, and that is exactly what Bryant has achieved with The Homing Place. Exhaustively researched, deeply informed by literary criticism, and written with the force of an impassioned thinker who has seen behind the veil of reconciliation in Canada, The Homing Place delivers a series of uncomfortable truths about the indigenous and settler relationship. A humanistic treatment that rewards, and deserves, deep engagement." |
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Tony Robinson-Smith, The Dragon Run. Published by University of Alberta Press. Jan Wong, Apron Strings. Published by Goose Lane. |
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2016 AwardsWinner: Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon Judge Myrl Coulter's citation: "Shadow of Doubt is a vivid account of the 2011 murder of Richard Oland and the 2015 trial of his son Dennis for the crime. With a huge amount of information, evidence, and detail that could have made reading this book a sluggish experience, Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon maintains fine control of her material as she guides her audience from the murder scene to the intensity of the courtroom. Weaving in the complexities of a protracted police investigation, a contentious family history, and a conflicted community mood, Shadow of Doubt is a fast-flowing page-turner that is hard to put down.." |
Also on Shortlist Melynda Jarratt, Letters from Beauly: Pat Hennessy and the Canadian Forestry Corps in Scotland, 1940-1945. Published by Goose Lane. Roslyn Rosenfeld, Lucy Jarvis: Even Stones Have Life. Published by Goose Lane. |
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2015 awardsWinner: Donald Savoie Judge Jane Silcott's citation: " Donald Savoie’s layered exploration of his own question is a well-timed look at the role of government. As he delves into the factors that affect our personal wellbeing, from regulation and de-regulation to the mores of the day, Savoie’s own beliefs are clear and cogent, and yet he doesn’t belabour them. This is a well-written, well structured book, packed with information and lightened with engaging and nuanced examples. |
Nicholas Guitard, The Lost Wilderness. Published by Goose Lane. David Sullivan, Boss Gibson: Lumber King of New Brunswick. Self-published. |
MADHUR ANAND's debut book of prose This Red Line Goes Straight to Your Heart won the Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction. Her two collections of poetry, A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes, and Parasitic Oscillations, were both finalists for the Trillium Book Award for Poetry. She is a full professor of ecology and sustainability at the University of Guelph.
2021 - Julie Sedivy
2020 - Naomi Lewis
2019 - Richard Kelly Kemick
2018 - Donna Kane
2017 - Andrew Westoll
2016 - Myrl Couter
2015 - Jane Silcott