A braided essay is a powerful form of creative non-fiction. Think of a plait or braid such as a braided leather bracelet, lock of hair, or rug. Many materials can be used to create a braid—including stories. 

Imagine three (or more) scenes or stories that are different yet related. You then present your story by weaving sections related to the central theme or storyline. A braided essay is challenging yet fun to write and an effective way to share our stories.

Participants will learn a ‘clustering’ technique to generate story threads you will then weave together. You’ll also receive sample braided essays, discover how to create concepts, research specific aspects of your story to add depth and scope, and determine the best way to structure your stories. Each week will build on the previous week.

Note: the last hour of the last class will focus on market information—where and how to submit your stories!

Workshop dates and times:

Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. March 15, 22, 29 via Zoom

About Sandra

(photo credit: Sue Hutchins)

Sandra Phinney’s stories have appeared in over 70 publications, including Nature Canada, Canadian Geographic, and the Toronto Star, and she is a regular columnist for JourneyWoman.com.  Phinney has four non-fiction books. Currently, she is weaning away from writing for magazines and newspapers to focus on teaching, writing personal essays, and completing a book of essays, From Stillwaters to Floating Truths (Pottersfield Press, Spring 2025.) She has three more non-fiction books on the back burner.

In 2021, Phinney was the Literary Artist In Residence for four weeks at Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO site. During the winter of 2024, she mentored an emerging writer through the WFNS Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program. Phinney lives off-grid on the Tusket River outside of Yarmouth, NS. In her spare time, you’ll find her paddling in the wilderness.

We gratefully acknowledge the sponsorship of:

WordSpring is in Fredericton, May 30 - June 1, 2025!

If you can't attend for the whole weekend, we have a range of options for you.

Whether you are a student, a member, or a non-member, you can find something to enjoy during this 3 day festival. Remember that the Friday night Literary Soiree celebrating the winners of 2025 NB Writing Competition, as well as the New Brunswick Book Awards on Saturday night are open to the public, and free to attend.

1. Stay for the weekend

This includes all activities from Friday afternoon to Sunday at noon. Accommodations are separate from the festival ticket, but we have group rates available at the Crowne Plaza Hotel until April 29.

2. Buy a Saturday pass

This includes Mark Leslie Lefebvre's Saturday morning address, lunch, Pitch the Publisher and an afternoon workshop. And please attend the NB Book Awards on Saturday evening!

3. Or, attend a single workshop

You can choose one of our many available workshops, from Mark Leslie Lefebvre's discussion on the varied paths to publishing on Saturday morning, to one of the two writing craft workshops on Saturday afternoon, or one of two on Sunday morning.

If you have trouble registering, contact us at 506-974-1476, and we'll assist you.

This year, all events for WordSpring and the New Brunswick Book Awards take place in Fredericton, hosted by the wonderful staff at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 659 Queen St, Fredericton, NB.

The tenth annual NB Book Awards--which is a free event, and open to the public-- will be held on Saturday evening and emceed by Vanessa Vander Valk of CBC's Main Street. Our guest speaker is comedian and CBC host of Canada Reads, Ali Hassan.

We have a great lineup of workshops for you to enjoy, including the accomplished Mark Leslie Lefebvre, who will teach us about the many paths to publishing. 

Register soon! WordSpring 2025 is only a few  months away. 

We will set up a merchandise table on Friday afternoon and evening at the Crowne Plaza. We will allow those who are launching books at WordSpring to sign up for us to sell your books on consignment in our shop.

Please advise us at info@wfnb.ca as soon as you sign up for the book launch readings, if you would like us to sell your books on consignment on Friday. Please note that every author is responsible to carry their books to and from the merchandise table.

Accommodations 

A block of 20 rooms has been reserved until April 28 for WordSpring.

For the Crowne Plaza Group Online Booking Link: https://rebrand.ly/NBWritersFed0525

Guests are also welcome to reserve their rooms by calling our Front Desk directly at 1-506-455-3371, or by emailing reservations@cpfredericton.com and noting they are booking under the “NB Writers Federation” room block to secure the group rate of $163.00 per night (one parking spot per reservation)

Please note that the cut off date for group reservations is April 28^th, 2025.

WordSpring Schedule

Friday May 30, 2025

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Welcome! Open Mic and book launch readings in the Junior Ballroom

Merch table, Coffee/tea/refreshment

····DINNER ON YOUR OWN····

6:00 pm -6:45 pm

NB Writing Competition Literary Soiree Reception (cash bar),

Open to the Public

Junior Ballroom, Crowne Plaza

Music By: Leo LaFleur

6:45 pm

Welcome by the board

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Award Readings and Reception

Saturday May 31, 2025

8:00 am

Breakfast (for participants staying at the Crowne Plaza

9:30 am - 11:30 am

PUBLISHING  OPTIONS workshop with Mark Leslie Lefebvre

· · LUNCH on SITE · ·

11:35am — 12:35pm

Three events on Saturday afternoon in the Grand Ballroom

12:45 pm - 2:30 pm

Pitch the Publisher (organized by Partridge Island Publishing - to register, contact Amanda Evans at this email: amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca )

2:30 pm — 4:30 pm

Brian Bartlett & Michael Pacey  -  Poetry

OR

Mike Thorn - Horror

--DINNER ON YOUR OWN--

Join us to celebrate the tenth annual 

NB Book Awards!

6:00 pm - 9:00pm

Grand Ballroom,

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton

May 31, 2025

Main Ballroom,

Crowne Plaza Fredericton.

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm:

The NB Book Awards Reception

Music by: Catherine Kennedy

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm:

Live ceremony

Hosted by: Vanessa Vander Valk, CBC

Guest Speaker: Ali Hassan

Book Table provided by: Westminster Books

Trophies provided by: Glass Roots Inc

Sunday June 1, 2025

8:00 am 

Breakfast for participants staying at the Crowne Plaza

9:30 am -11:30am

Two workshop options for Sunday morning.  Choose from:

Ryan Griffith  -  Playwriting 

OR   

Gerard Collins - Writing Great Dialogue

Checklist for Members

Make sure you didn't forget to register for anything with limited space!

Did you sign up for the Open mic and Book Launch?

Did you contact Amanda Evans (amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca), if you'd like to participate in the Pitch the Publisher event Saturday afternoon?

If you want to stay at the Crowne Plaza for one or both nights, did you make your reservation on or before April 28?

You must pay your registration for the 2025 WordSpring Festival (Weekend Pass Only) before reserving your spot as a reader.

I will read a 5-minute excerpt from my work.

• Must be WFNB member
• Must be a 2025 WordSpring Weekend Pass registrant
• Limited registration: First come-first served