Dawn Watson Memorial Prize

Single Poem

        • Single poem
        • Up to 100 lines
        • First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

        2024 Judge: Jeanette Lynes

        Jeanette Lynes is the author of seven books of poetry and three novels. Her third novel, The Apothecary’s Garden (HarperCollins Canada, 2022) was a finalist for a High Plains Book Award and two Saskatchewan Book Awards. Jeanette’s fourth novel is forthcoming from HarperCollins Canada in 2025. Jeanette’s personal essays, Apron Apocalypse, won the John V. Hicks manuscript competition in 2023. Jeanette’s most recent poetry book, Bedlam Cowslip: The John Clare Poems (Wolsak and Wynn/Buckrider Books) won the 2016 Saskatchewan Arts Board Poetry Award. Jeanette directs the MFA in Writing at the University of Saskatchewan.


        2022 - 2023 Judge: Dr. Sean Wiebe

        Winners

        First Place: Melanie Craig-Hansford (Hampton, NB), My other ride is your Mother

        Second Place: Heather Gunn (Shediac, NB), Cosmopolitan Magazine says I should be Tangled in the Sheets

        Third Place: Melanie Craig-Hansford (Hampton, NB), The Night I Lost Her

        2021 - 2022 Judge: Leigh Faulkner

        Winners

        First Place: Edyn Clowater, The Story Never Told

        Second Place: Shaun Cunningham, Grid Road, Saskatchewan

        Third Place: Shari Andrews, Her Open Mouth

        Honourable Mention: Shari Andrews, Snow on Evergreen

        Honourable Mention: Frederick Mundle, One Sighting


        As a past prize recipient in the categories for the Dawn Watson Memorial Prize (2022) and the Alfred G. Bailey Prize , I encourage all members to enter the annual WFNB Literary Contest. Even though I have had the support of mentors and a writing group through the years, the act of putting words on paper is a solitary one. In the end the discipline required has to come from within. To have my work judged by knowledgeable and accomplished peers has given me much encouragement and validation to continue. As well, it is always a pleasure to receive the judge's helpful critique. Wishing you luck and success in this year's competition!

        Shari Andrews

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