Hello, Members and Friends.

Here it is, our last Inkspot of the year. Seems like I say it every year (maybe it’s my age?), but it feels like the months all melted away and *snap! it’s Christmas again. I published this year, so it was meaningful for me. I hope you were able to take part in some of our wonderful events this year. We connected with other writers and enjoyed professional development workshops and social activities. I hope there was something to inspire you and inform your writing this year.

As the Holiday season approaches, I’m happy to say that our list of events on wfnb.ca for the winter is full, and I hope you’ll take the time to participate in something. I’ll list them out here, for you:

1. Our writers' retreat at Villa Madonna is January 17-19. We have a few signed up, but we still need several more signups to reach the minimum 15 participants. This is a great opportunity to focus and connect with other writers, so we hope to see you there!

2. Our first online Poetry fundamentals workshop led by Roger Moore took place yesterday, December 12, and it was a wonderful dialogue to kick off our sessions. Participants will receive the recording soon to review, but if you missed registering for this event, you can still review the recording for a nominal fee. Contact info@wfnb.ca for more details.

Discussion Two on poetry fundamentals is led by Kathy Mac, who follows up with Better Writing Through Poetry, on January 12. Limit of 15 - as of this writing, only 4 spaces left!

Discussion Three on poetry fundamentals is led by Matthew Gwathmey  on February 16 with Reacting to Music, an Ekphrasis Exercise. Also a limit of 15.

3. Also, Sandra Phinney will lead a three-session online workshop in March 2025 called Braiding our Truths, focusing on creating nonfiction essays with a technique known as "Braiding." This nine-hour online course will be split into three successive Saturdays from one to four pm, on March 15, 22, and 29. Sandra will also focus the last hour of the final session teaching you where to find a market for the essays you've been working on during this course. Limit of 12.

4. Are you preparing for The New Brunswick Writing Competition, which begins January 1 and runs until March 31? If you are a NB resident, (or a WFNB member) you can submit to the competition in eight separate categories: short fiction, novel, nonfiction, single poetry and manuscript, writing for young people, writing by teens, and screenplay. For new writers, this is a great way to practice the process of submission to publications, and for more experienced writers who might be experimenting with new forms. Over the years, we’ve awarded thousands of dollars in cash prizes to winners and many winners have gone on to publish their works.

Again this year, submission is a two-step process: first, you pay for your submission through our online store on wfnb.ca (the window opens January 1), and second, please email your manuscript to info@wfnb.ca.

Please note: Some people have asked why we stopped using Submittable for this competition. We were required to pay quite a hefty annual fee, even though we only used the website three months of the year, and the subscription ate up most of our modest profit. In the end, Submittable simply wasn’t worth the cost to our competition, especially since we already had a viable way to process payments through our own website.

5. Plans are underway for WordSpring, including the tenth annual New Brunswick Book Awards. All our events will take place at the Crowne Plaza Fredericton, May 30 to June 1. This year, we’ll have workshops, readings and an open mic as usual, but we also hope to organize a Pitch the Publisher event as well. Mark your calendars, and look for the event page early in the New Year, once all the details are settled.

And finally, a note about giving.

The WFNB always welcome donations on our website, including legacy giving, as well as the purchase of lifetime memberships. 

We cannot issue tax receipts at this present time, but the WFNB is in the process of applying for charitable status. Once submitted, the application can take six months or more to adjudicate, and we hope for the best.

Though the financial reporting requirements are quite a bit more complicated with a charitable designation than with our current status as a nonprofit incorporation, on balance we feel that a charitable number would give us access to foundations and other pools of giving that aren’t currently accessible.

To those preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter celebrations, Happy Holidays! The year 2025 represents the WFNB's 40th anniversary, so we're looking forward to celebrating how far our organization has come, and the many fine writers that have grown through and contributed to our little family over the years.

WordWorthy: Rewriting is as important as writing itself. But rewriting has dangers. When we put down our first inspiration, that flow comes out from us and we think ‘isn’t that great?’ but we return to it and say, ‘no, I don’t like that, or that, or that…change everything!’ But Juan Ramón Jiménez, Nobel prize winner for Poetry in 1956, had a phrase: No la toques más. Así es la rosa—Don't touch it anymore. Roses are like that. When your poem is exactly the place you want it, and then you think it would be better if you did something else—No la toques más. Take care to retain your first inspiration, and don't lose it by over-polishing. Keep your first version. You'll always be able to go back to it."

Roger Moore, the Fundamentals of Poetry, unit 1. December 12, 2024

Until 2025,

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Charlene Coburn (pen name, Elwyn Frances Sparrow): Charlene is a born and raised New Brunswicker, living in Fredericton. Her genres of interest include creative nonfiction, essays, memoir, poetry and short story. Welcome, Charlene!

Ellen Christie: From her home in Grande Digue, Ellen writes in variety of genres: Blogging, Creative non-fiction, Essays, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Photography, Copywriting. Welcome, Ellen!

Adair Howe lives in Saint John and writes fantasy, poetry, science fiction, copywriting and travel. Welcome Adair!

Jan Fancy Hull ( janfancyhull.com) lives in rural Nova Scotia, near Lunenburg. She writes creative nonfiction, poetry, short stories, cozy mysteries and other forms of fiction. Welcome, Jan!

Sharon McCutcheon is a retired family doctor who lives in Sussex. She is interested in the genres of creative nonfiction, essays, memoir and poetry. Welcome, Sharon!

Teri McMackin’s work has been published in magazines, newspapers, local publicaitons, online and blogs. A ghostwriter of books and seasoned copywriter, Teri writes from her home in Petitcodiac in a full range of Biography, Blogging, Corporate writing, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Copywriting, Website copy, Freelance writing, Ghostwriting. Welcome, Teri!

Tara Pyfrom (tarapyfrom.com) was born and raised in the Bahamas and now lives in Quispamsis. She writes essays, memoir, nonfiction, poetry and is a freelance writer, her work having appeared in numerous publications. Welcome, Tara!

Aimee C. Trafton (aimeectraftonbooks.com) Born and raised in Fredericton, Aimee’s personal essays and stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, Autism Parenting Magazine, Medium, and her personal blog Life Lessons for My Daughter (lifelessons4daughter.com). While children's literature remains her first love, she also writes YA/adult non-fiction, poetry, personal essays, short stories, and has recently designed some notebooks and sketchbooks available on Amazon. Welcome, Aimee!

MEMBER NEWS

On November 22, theatre students from the Langley Fine Arts School, in Langley BC, performed "Found Drowned"  at a local theatre festival. Their script was inspired by WFNB member Laurie Glenn Norris' 2019 novel of the same name. Congratulations, Laurie!

***

Michael Simon is excited to announce the release of his science fiction series, Extinction (Podium Entertainment) and First Command (Aethon Books) in 2025.  Extinction is a military SF thriller, in which a colony on one of Jupiter’s moons will either be the last bastion of human civilization . . .or ground zero for its extinction.

In First Command, an alien attack leaves Ensign Cole Jackson stranded in space. He must survive, rebuild, and rejoin the war.  

https://www.michaelsimon.live/novels 

Congratulations, Michael!

WRITING GROUPS

WFNB Member Denise McClure tells us that the writing group EXHALE: Grand Falls has been terminated. However, if there are writers in the Grand Falls area interested in connecting with other writers, please contact her at: 75deemac@gmail.com, or phone number: 506-473-6125.

COMPETITIONS AND CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Partridge Island Publishing call for Submissions - Strangers in the Fog

Details: The annual anthology is only open to Atlantic Canadian authors. Each author can submit two entries, either poetry or prose. Each entry can be a maximum of 3,000 words. All genres are accepted, but the submission must include the theme of "a stranger," however you interpret the word. Each anthology saves space for stories from new, never-been-published authors!

Deadline: January 31, 2025. Direct submissions and any questions to: amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca.

Amanda also tells us that plans for their new location for The Write Cup, a bookstore/cafe in Market Square, Saint John, are shaping up nicely. They anticipate opening their doors in January 2025, and will soon be reaching out to new authors to fill their shelves. Congratulations on your success and growth, Partridge Island Publishing!

The sixteenth King’s Shorts Festival of Ten Minute Plays will be hosted by King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada on June 20, 21 and 22, 2025.  For electronic submission(s): https://www.kingstheatre.ca/about/kings-shorts-info/

$15 submission fee per script using the online “Registration” link or by calling the Box Office at 902-532-7704 -  Due to the Canada Post strike, please submit electronically. Submission deadline: January 13, 2025

***

https://shortstoryawards.com/ The Next Generation Short Story Awards, currently in its second year, is a not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories. The Short Story Awards is now accepting entries, i.e. short stories and poems in English (5000 words or less) for the 2025 awards program in 30+ categories. The entry deadline for the 2025 year is Thursday, February 27, 2025. Winners are given cash prizes, gold medals, complimentary digital promotional stickers, social media coverage, literary exposure with their stories published in an Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. The Short Story Awards is brought to you by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, an international book awards program for independent and self-published authors. 

***

Hamilton’s Readers and Writers Festival (gritLIT) is hosting this year's Short Story Writing Contest, open to submissions of original fiction or creative non-fiction (up to 500 words) from across the country. Interpret this year’s theme—CONNECTION—creatively to explore what connection means to you! This year introduces a new staged writing challenge, where successful longlisted entries will be invited to expand their stories in three stages. 

Deadline: January 15, 2025

- Entry Fee: $15

Prizes: First Place: $500, Two Honourable Mentions: $150 each

Additional Rewards: All winners will be invited to read at gritLIT 2025 in April. Winning stories will be published on the gritLIT website. Please read the submission rules carefully, especially the Writing Stages section.

***

The National Media Awards Foundation is excited to announce they are now accepting submissions for the 48th annual National Magazine Awards! The 2025 National Magazine Awards feature 28 categories, with two special awards, and eight additional categories that are part of a cross-programming initiative with the Digital Publishing Awards.

Submissions are open to Canadian print and digital magazines and to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents (landed immigrants) whose work has appeared in them during the 2024 calendar year.

Early Bird Deadline: January 10, 2025

Final Submission Deadline: January 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST

How to Submit

1. Register online at https://submissions.mediafoundation.ca/login

2. Review the Rules to ensure eligibility

3. Review the Categories and Submission Requirements, and complete the submission form(s)

4. Pay the required entry fees

https://submissions.mediafoundation.ca/en/login

Optional hard copies must be received by January 25, 2025, even with the ongoing Canada Post strike. We strongly recommend submitting them earlier and using a courier service to ensure timely delivery.

***

International Songwriting Contests 

1. The Womens Freedom Song Contest  Dec. 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025

Seeking Female Anthems, Music videos and Lyric/Poems that deal with issues of concern to women (Open to all genders). Prizes from Broadjam, Indiebible, AirPlay Direct, The Music Registry, Book “101 Tips and Tricks of Successful Songwriting,” Guitar Center Gift Certificates & a Photo shoot with Mark Maryanovich. Winners will be announced on March 8, International Women’s Day. 

2. The International Songwriters Day Song Contest.   

Dates: Runs from Dec.1 to April 2, 2025. Winners announced: April 9, International Songwriters Day. Seeking “Inspirational” songs, music videos and lyrics/poems.

Prizes from Broadjam, Indiebible, AirPlay Direct, The Music Registry, Book “101 Tips and Tricks of Successful Songwriting,” Guitar Center Gift Certificates & a Photo shoot with Mark Maryanovich Entry is through the FilmFreeway platform or from the site:

Contests are run by CEO Diana Williamson, who has written 2 x #3 Billboard Hot Club Chart Songs, authored the book "101 Tips and Tricks of Successful Songwriting," and is Head of Themusiclibrary.org that places music in Film & TV.

***

Established in 2023 by Tim Saunders Publications, The Paul Cave Prize for Literature is an excellent platform for international writers and poets in the English language to get their work read by a professional editor and published in a book. Winners receive feedback, cash prizes and copies of the book featuring their work.

They are looking for all forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, flash fiction, short stories and novellas in any genre except erotic. Work must be new and unpublished. International submissions welcome. The rights to any works published remain with the author. The publisher reserves the right to edit submissions. Opens March 30, 2025 and closes September 30. Winners announced November 30, 2025.

***

TWUC Invites Submissions for Short Prose Competition for Emerging Writers

The Writers’ Union of Canada invites submissions to its 32nd annual Short Prose Competition for Emerging Writers. Unpublished works of fiction and nonfiction up to 2,500 words in English are eligible, and writers may submit multiple entries. A $2,500 prize will be awarded to the winner, and the entries of the winner and eleven finalists will be submitted to three Canadian magazines for consideration. The deadline for entries is February 17, 2025.

RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS

Trevor Corkum (one of our former writing competition judges!) just opened up The Hideout residency applications for 2025. If you (or someone you know) might be hoping to get away to PEI for time to write or create this year, be in touch. Applications for the Susan Buchanan Hideout scholarship (for Maritime-based writers and creatives) are also now open.

The Hideout residency community has grown substantially since the residency program was created in 2020, and has welcomed novelists, poets, memoirists, dancers, academics, visual artists, playwrights, screenwriters, psychotherapists, wellness practitioners and even circus artists (!!) from across Canada, the United States, and around the globe. 

FIDDLEHEAD RETROSPECTIVE - SPECIAL INVITATION

The Fiddlehead is turning 80! We invite you to join us during FROSTival on Saturday, February 8th at the Fredericton Public Library for the opening of our exhibit 80 Years of Art at The Fiddlehead which will feature a retrospective of the artwork associated with the magazine over the years. During the exhibition opening, we will also launch our Winter 2025 issue with readings from contributors: celebrating the next installment of The Fiddlehead. 

COMMEMORATIVE EDITION 

Atlantic Books Today (ABT), the flagship magazine showcasing the best of Atlantic Canadian literature, proudly announces the release of its 100th issue—a celebration of the region’s vibrant publishing heritage, diverse literary voices, and cultural contributions. Since its inception, ABT has been dedicated to promoting and amplifying Atlantic Canadian authors, publishers, and stories that matter.

This commemorative issue features a curated selection of 100 new books, representing the diverse and powerful storytelling that has shaped the literary landscape of Atlantic Canada. Hear from award-winning authors such as Sharon Bala, Carol Bruneau, Lisa Moore, and Fawn Parker, to emerging talents and voices that capture the unique spirit of the region. This milestone edition is a true tribute to Atlantic literature’s enduring influence.

The 100th issue of Atlantic Books Today is available both in print and online at www.atlanticbooks.ca. Join them as they celebrate this remarkable achievement and continue to champion the literary treasures of Atlantic Canada.

That's it for December! See you in 2025.

Hello, Members and Friends:

The first snow of November fell last night, and this morning, it's still on the ground – do you have your winter tires on yet? Me neither.

Thank you to those who attended WordsFall in Sussex in October, and kindly filled out a survey form. We were a cozy crew this year, but we still enjoyed some good quality workshops, music, and dynamic readings.

As the Christmas season and other holidays approach, you might not be thinking about signing up for WFNB events, but they’re coming soon. Here are some quick reminders:

1. Please sign up soon for the Winter Retreat, January 17-19 – we need a minimum of 15 participants to make it a go. (I’m really looking forward to it this time round!)

2.  As well, the first of three online workshops on the fundamentals of poetry will be led by Roger Moore, on December 12 from 7 to 9 pm. Our two other leaders will be announced soon.

3. As well, our Frances Peck three-session bundle is available to us for a limited time. If you missed these sessions, now is your chance to review the videos and the materials for a very low price.

4. There are only a couple of weeks left for NB residents to submit your books to the NB Book Awards. Submit a form and mail two books to us at 52 Amity Street, Moncton, NB E1G 0S3, postmarked by December 1. So far, we only have ONE submission to the Alice Kitts Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing. If we do not receive enough to adjudicate this year, this year’s submissions will be added to next year’s group.

5. Get ready to submit to the 2025 NB Writing Competition! It begins January 1 and runs through March 31, in eight categories. Open to all NB residents, and to WFNB members, no matter where they live. Susan White and I are finalizing the judges for this year, and we’ll announce those names soon.

6. Also, please note if your membership has lapsed, you might not notice at first, since you will continue to receive Inkspot (unless you unsubscribe), but if you want to make announcements about your book launches, etc. in the newsletter and on social media, they will no longer be free. Event registration fees for non-members are also higher. We would love to have you back! Contact us at info@wfnb.ca to let us know how we could entice you.

November WordWorthy:

“It would be fair enough to ask, I suppose, if Paul Sheldon in Misery is me. Certainly parts of him are…but I think you will find that, if you continue to write fiction, every character you create is partly you. When you ask yourself what a certain character will do given a certain set of circumstances, you’re making the decision based on what you yourself would (or in the case of a bad guy, wouldn’t) do. Added to these versions of yourself are the character traits, both lovely and unlovely, which you observe in others (a guy who picks his nose when he thinks no one is looking, for instance). There is also a wonderful third element: pure blue sky imagination. – Stephen King, On Writing:  A Memoir of the Craft (2000, Scribner)

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS

Joseph Howse (https://nummist.com/stories) writes fiction and poetry, as well as technical books on computer programming and image analysis from his home in the fishing village of Terence Bay, NS. There, he chats with his cats and nurtures an orchard of hardy fruit trees. Joseph is interested in Fiction, Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photography, Poetry, Technical, Flash/Micro fiction, Short stories. Welcome, Joseph!

Tammy Morgan is a returning member who writes fiction from her home in Sackville, NB. Welcome, Tammy!

MEMBER NEWS

Book Launch on the Miramichi

Chuck Bowie will hold a Reading and Signing of his latest Thriller in the Donovan: Thief4Hire series. Lost in London is the sixth book in the series.

Where: Mill Cove Coffee, 144 Newcastle Blvd, Miramichi

When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00PM.

***

Jerry Iwanus, recently published his first book, TAXING NEW BRUNSWICK: An Insider's Guide to Successfully Challenging Your NB Property Assessment (Platypus Publishing).

Written to help fellow New Brunswickers navigate this complex and often-maddening topic (and perhaps making readers chuckle a bit on the meantime), he hopes that it contributes to a conversation about property tax reform in his beloved adopted province. It’s available on Amazon; he writes on this and other topics at The Prairie Maritimer.

***

Andrew MacLean, the writer of the Backyard History column which appears weekly in 20 newspapers across the Maritimes, published his third book Rebellious Women In The Maritimes. This anthology uncovers the untold stories of seventeen courageous women who dared to stand up, speak out, and break free from the constraints of their times. Order at backyardhistory.ca - Thanks very much and keep up the good work!

http://backyardhistory.ca

***

Barb Parker’s book launch of her new book, Don’t Leave Me, was a great success. Barb thanks everyone for the comments and reviews, and she is so thankful for your support. Barb will be holding book presentations November 16 at the Grand Manan Community Market, November 17 at Immanuel Family Church, Grand Manan, November 22 at the McAdam Public Library, November 26 Heritage Center in Marysville NB, December 5 at the Christmas Craft & Bake Sale McKnight Street, Fredericton, NB. Barb is mailing copies of her book to those who request in Canada. Her first two books are available at NB libraries, and she will also be donating a copy of her new book to NBPLS next week.

***

Congratulations to Valerie Sherrard, whose 34th (!) book, An Unbalanced Force, is released this month! Instead of asking friends to attend a launch in person or online, I'm inviting you to read a few pages of the opening chapter. Just click this link and then select "excerpt."

 https://www.dcbyoungreaders.com/an-unbalanced-force

***

Em Whelly is offering developmental editing services. She has some spots open in November and December. More info: ewhelly@outlook.ca or call 506-333-6066

***

Susan White would like to announce the release of her 14th novel with Acorn Press entitled Such a Winter’s Day. Susan was also one of ten contributing authors with short stories in The ANNEthology which was an exciting Acorn Press Spring release. The ANNEthology is getting lots of attention across the country. On November 28, WFNB member and NB Book Nonfiction Award winner Martha Vowles will interview Susan for the online launch of Such a Winter’s Day.

Congratulations to all our members on their launches, readings and other offerings.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Carol Off Book Tour comes to Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, November 18-20

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick is pleased to present Carol Off in conversation, as she kicks off her book launch tour in New Brunswick with a stop in Moncton on November 18.Carol is promoting her new book, At a Loss for Words, Conversation in an Age of Rage. This event is free and open to the public.

The event will take place at 6 pm at the Alma City Club, 114 Alma Street, Moncton.  Carol will be pleased to sign copies of her book, and Tidewater books of Sackville will be on hand to sell copies.

Also on hand will be Jonna Brewer, host of CBC Moncton’s information morning, to host the Q & A period following Carol’s reading.

Carol will also visit Fredericton on November 19, 7:30 pm at Tilley Hall, UNB, and Saint John on November 20 at 7 pm in the Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre at UNB Saint John campus.

This reading is sponsored in memory of Susan Kathleen Leydon, longtime supporter of the Lorenzo Reading Series, and the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick.

SUMMER AUTHOR SERIES BOOKINGS!

Vickery House Books, at 83 Spring Street in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, is gathering its slate of authors who would like to participate in their third annual Summer Author Series for the 2025 season, which will be held mid-May to mid-August.  Vickery House holds its events, rain or shine, in a large tent set up beside their bookstore. Meet and greet local cottagers and tourists, give a reading, and foster great discussions about your books. Connect with other writers and diverse audiences. Contact David Christie at summerauthorseries@gmail.com, or vickeryhouse.ns@gmail.com

GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Canada Council invites New Brunswick artists (including writers) to submit individual grant applications for their Explore and Create program. To set up your individual profile and learn more about what programs are on offer, check out the website here: https://apply.canadacouncil.ca/Default2.aspx Specific questions about Explore and Create? Contact a program officer, like Megan Mabey (megan.mabey@canadacouncil.ca)

OPEN MIC EVENT
The next Writers’ Open Mic in Sackville takes place Sunday, November 17, from 3:00 - 4:00 pm at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park Activity Centre, 70 Main Street, Sackville, NB.

The Writers’ Open Mic is a free, monthly event for writers of all ages and genres. Come out and read your poems, short stories, comics, novels, essays, twitter posts, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen. All are welcome.

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, general questions, and image or video files can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.

CONTESTS AND OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

The sixteenth King’s Shorts Festival of Ten Minute Plays will be hosted by King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada on June 20, 21 and 22, 2025. The Festival is open to all writers and playwrights, worldwide, even if you have never written a play before. Plays should not exceed 10 minutes (total stage time). https://www.kingstheatre.ca/about/kings-shorts-info/ 

$15 submission fee per script using the online “Registration” link or by calling the Box Office at 902-532-7704.

Entries for the Festival may also be sent to the address below, and be postmarked no later than January 13, 2025, with a non-refundable $15 entry fee per script: King's Shorts Committee, P.O. Box 161, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada. For further information contact Verilea Ellis at 902-245-2309 or email verilea@yahoo.ca

The Bournemouth Writing Prize (UK) 2025.

The Bournemouth Writing Festival is joining forces with Arts University Bournemouth and Dithering Chaps (a Dorset-based indie publisher) to offer their 2025 competition for poems (up to thirty lines) and short stories (up to 3,000 words).

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of £500 (GBP), a one-hour online consultation with the competition judges and, for those able to attend the festival, the chance to perform their work with a live band. All short-listed writers will receive a copy of the winners’ anthology.

This year, there is no theme, so we invite you so send us your most competition-worthy poems and stories. The entry fee is £10 (GBP) for which you can send up to three poems or one short story per entry.

Many entries came from Canada and the US last year (for their 'Lines in the Sand' competition) and twelve of the eighty longlisted entries came from here.

For more information, please visit the competition website at:

 https://thebournemouthjournal.com/bournemouth-writing-prize/

STOP PRESS: for poets who have a longer collection of poems (30-50 pages) in their locker, Dithering Chaps would love to read your work. Our submissions window is open and we are looking for poets to add to our 2025 publication listing. See our website or reply to this email for more details. Again, please share this information with members of your writing groups and other interested parties.

***

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild is thrilled to announce the opening of their third annual David Williamson National Short Story Competition (otherwise known as “The Dave”), which opens for entries on December 1, 2024.

With $2000 in prizes (1^st prize $1000; 2^nd Prize $600; 3^rd Prize $400) + guaranteed publication for the winners and honourable mentions in Beyond Boundaries III (2025), this Best Writing Contest acclaimed by Reedsy (2023) is not one to miss.

Simultaneous submissions accepted!  Questions? Contact: MWGPresident2023@gmail.com.

The contest portal will open on their website on December 1, 2024 https://mbwriters.ca

***

Don’t forget about The Eighth Annual Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction!

For the eighth annual prize, Pottersfield Press is again looking for submissions from writers who can provide a manuscript of 30,000 to 150,000 words in any of the following categories: history, memoir, autobiography, biography, literary journalism, political or social commentary, travel writing or virtually any existing or new category that uses the nonfiction medium to tell a story or put forward an idea.

The First Prize winner will receive a contract for the publication of the winning book along with a $1000 advance on 10% royalty for all sales. The Second Prize winner will also see the publication of the book and a $800 advance on 10% royalties.

Deadline is April 30, 2025, but early submissions are encouraged.

Manuscripts can be submitted electronically as a double-spaced basic Word document to:

pottersfieldcreative@gmail.com

including a title page with name, address and email contact.

Entry fee is $25 (includes HST) and can be paid by Interac Transfer (also to pottersfieldcreative@gmail.com), PayPal or by cheque made out to Pottersfield Press mailed to 248 Leslie Road,  East Lawrencetown, NS  B2Z 1T4 Canada after the manuscript has been submitted by email. www.pottersfieldpress.com

Winners will be announced on June 30, 2025.

The winners of the Seventh Annual Pottersfield Prize for Creative Nonfiction are co-authors James MacDuff and Mirriam Mweemba in first place for The Illogical Adventure and Matthew R. Anderson in second place for Someone Else’s Saint.

Both books will be published by Pottersfield Press in 2025.

***

The Rialto Nature & Place Poetry Competition

Open to international submissions, as long as you are over 18 and your poem is written in English. Rules and submission guidelines here:

https://www.therialto.co.uk/pages/nature-poetry-competition/

The Rialto working in association with the RSPB, BirdLife International, Cambridge Conservation Initiative and The University of Leeds Poetry Centre.

Poems are invited that deal with any aspect of nature and place – these terms will be given a wide interpretation by the judge Helen Mort.

Deadline 1st April 2025.

Prizes

1st prize – £1000
2nd prize – £500
3rd prize – £250

***

Good news! The deadline to submit to the The Short Long-Distance Writing Contest has been extended!

How it works: Send us a story, 500 words or less, fiction or non-fiction, that spans two or more Canadian time zones. This could mean a physical transition across time zones (like a road trip), or an implied transition between them (like a phone call). The details are up to you—get creative!

You have until Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:59PM PST to submit.

Submit here:

https://www.geist.com/contests/the-2024-short-long-distance-writing-contest

THE MARITIME WRITERS’ SOCIAL GROUP

Writing can be a lonely act. But it doesn’t have to be. The Maritime Writers Social Club is for Maritime writers at any stage — aspiring, beginner or professional. It’s not a how-to-write group, although we do talk about the business of writing at times and members are encouraged to ask questions or share writing, but more about getting together with other writers to chat, talk writing, or simply have a coffee. Our goal is for members of shared geographical areas to create regular meet-ups with the hope of a larger Maritime gathering eventually. Membership is free. Look for us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/937566541727118

That's it for this month!

Hello, Members and Friends.

As I write this on Thanksgiving Monday, I hope you enjoyed some fabulous turkey this weekend, and maybe a drive to enjoy the fall colours? However you spent it, I hope the cooler weather and lovely scenery are serving to inspire you.

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

WordsFall is only a couple of weeks away!

...and we would love to see you there. Numbers are down this year, so if you’re thinking of attending some or all of the events, please register now. What a great lineup of workshops we have to offer this fall in the charming little town of Sussex. Don’t miss the readings, music and professional development sessions.

Arts Atlantic Symposium is this coming weekend.

The Arts Atlantic Symposium, a production of ArtsLink NB, takes place October 18-20 in Moncton. During this time, the region’s top artists, performers, and industry professionals come together for three days of art installations, exhibitions, performances, workshops, and panels that celebrate the power of Atlantic Canadian art. The WFNB will be involved in the Arts Atlantic Symposium marketplace (read: trade show) at the Crowne Plaza Moncton on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. 

Donations needed! I’d like to put together a gift basket for our table and sell raffle tickets with a winner to be drawn that day. If you have any NB books (signed by the author would be awesome!) to donate, or any other pleasing addition to a writing-related basket, please drop me a line at info@wfnb.ca.

LIMITED TIME OFFER for members and friends

We were pleased to present three online workshops led by Frances Peck this year, Sentences with Style in May, Show Don’t tell in July, and From Editor to Author, a Journey in Three Parts in September. For those folks who missed those sessions, we have bundled those three zoom sessions and the accompany notes for a very low price. We have permission to share these sessions until summer 2025. Visit our online store for details.

You can register now for winter retreat

with poetry mentor Art Moore. January 17 – 19 at Villa Madonna. Get back into the swing of things after the busy Christmas rush – last winter’s retreat was a cozy and inspiring time for everyone, and I hope you’ll join us.

A note from Christine Lovelace, WFNB member and Head of UNB’s Archives & Special Collections.

Hello New Brunswick authors and publishers! UNB’s Special Collections (a unit of UNB Libraries), is committed to collecting New Brunswickana, which includes literature written by or about New Brunswickers, or published by New Brunswick businesses.  UNB Archives collects New Brunswick authors’ literary papers and the business papers of New Brunswick publishers. 

 If you think your book or archival papers should be included in the UNB Libraries collections, please send an email to UNB’s Archives & Special Collections at archives@unb.ca. 

You can check to see if we have a copy of your work in our library catalogue.  You can search the UNB Archives' catalogue to see whose papers are located at UNB - Christine Lovelace, UNB Archives and Special Collections

Advertise with us

Remember that if you are not a member, you can still advertise your workshops or other events in Inkspot, for the low price of $15 per monthly edition. Members, of course, can advertise their news and events for free. Contact info@wfnb.ca to place a notice in the next Inkspot, which is published (most of the time!) on the 13th.

Submissions are still open for the NB Book Awards

...until December 1. You’ll find the submission form on our NBBA page. Please send two copies of your book to me before mid-December, when I’ll box them up and mail them to this year’s stellar judges.

That's it for me - I hope to see you at WordsFall, or another event in the near future.

WordWorthy - If you feel safe in the area that you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth, and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting -- David Bowie

Welcome New Members

Andrew MacDonald - All we know about Andrew is his pen name - A.D. MacDonald. Welcome, Andrew! :)

Mike Thorn (https://mikethornwrites.com/) is a fiction writer and film critic in Fredericton, NB, where he is also currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of English (Creative Writing). He has published three books and has appeared in many literary publications, particularly in the horror genre. He is interested in the genres of editing, essays, fiction, horror, speculative fiction, freelance writing, and short stories. Welcome, Mike!

Member News

WFNB member (and former president!) Zev Bagel would like to announce the recent launch of his cozy mystery, The Romanian Cleaning Lady, the first in a series of Bright and Breasy Mysteries. The novel is the second publication announced by Merlin Star Press.

The gala launch took place on Oct. 10, and you can purchase his novel at merlinstarpress.com

WFNB member Barb Parker is excited to share that she will be holding her BOOK LAUNCH for her third non-fiction book on October 26, from 2-5:30. The launch party will be held in our social room in her complex on McKnight Street, Fredericton, N.B. Follow Barb on Facebook for more dates of upcoming events.

She is booked for a signing at Partridge Island Publishers, October 23, 2024. (Weather permitting) at the Area 506 container village.

Barb will be at Grand Manan Community Market November 16 and at Immanuel Family Church November 17 with her books.

Finally, she will be at Marysville Heritage Center on November 24 from 1-4.

WFNB member Harold Taylor, owner of TaylorinTime, announces the launch of his new book, MAKING WRITING WORK FOR YOU. Come to the Sussex Regional Library, 46 Magnolia Ave., Sussex, on Thursday, October 24, 2024 (the day before WordsFall!), 2:30 pm to 4 pm. At his free workshop, Harold will explain how writing can promote your business, further your career, provide passive income, improve your physical and mental health and self-esteem, and supplement your income during retirement. At ninety, he is still writing, volunteering, traveling, and enjoying whatever life has to offer. Call 506-432-4585 to register.

WFNB members Jen McGrath and Kelly Cooper are discussing picture books at the AX: The Arts & Culture Centre of Sussex Gallery, Sussex on Thursday, October 24. Check out axartscentre.ca

(Also, the AX Gallery will be the site of many WordsFall events that coming weekend! Kelly will be leading a session on Saturday, October 26 called Foraged and Formed: a workshop inspired by the AX Gallery. She'll be teaching about ekphrasis -- the act of describing a thing in vivid detail. Sign up here.

AWARD PROGRAMS

Announcing Inaugural Toby Awards:A New Prize for Self-Published Mystery Writers

Accepting submissions: September 17 - December 16, 2024

Canadian mystery authors who are self-published now have a new platform to showcase their work with the launch of the Toby Awards. The first of its kind in Canada, the award is open to self-published Canadian authors who have published trade paperbacks in the mystery genre in 2024. 

The 2024 Toby Award winning entry will receive $1,000 worth of printed copies produced by Vimi Corp. of Burlington, ON., to be generously donated to participating libraries. 

The judging panel comprised of authors, journalists, editors and librarians will focus on both the writing quality and originality of the entries. The winner will be announced at the May 2025 Little Branches Rural Roots Library Conference in Perth, Ont.

For more information on how to enter, including submission guidelines, please visit https://tobyaward.wordpress.com/

COMPETITIONS

The High Marsh Press (a micro-press operating at Mount Allison University) is putting out a call for the second annual Deborah Wills Chapbook Competition. It's free to enter, open to anybody who does not yet have a book publication (either trade collection or chapbook), and the winning manuscript will receive $500 and be produced as a limited-edition hand-crafted chapbook.

More information can be found on our website (www.highmarshpress.ca), and I've attached a poster for the competition.

***

The 2025 CBC Short Story Prize is currently open until Nov. 1, 2024. Writers can submit original, unpublished short fiction that is up to 2,500 words (there is no minimum word requirement). The winner will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and have their work published on CBC Books. All the details for the prize will be available here.

2024 Fiddlehead Poetry Contest:

Do you write poetry? Do you want to be published in one of Canada's premier journals? Do you want to win $2000 AND get paid for your publication?! The Fiddlehead's Ralph Gustafson Poetry Contest is open for submissions from now until Monday, December 2! Our judges this year are Meghan Kemp-Gee, D.M. Bradford, and Colleen Coco Collins. Guidelines and information: https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest

Twitter: https://x.com/TheFiddlehd/status/1843666076221222979

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qdvgzvqHazoNqPC7/

SPECIAL OFFER TO WFNB MEMBERS!

The Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG) is at the start of a new season of Professional Development events for the remainder of the year and into 2025, as you can see from the list:

https://canadianfreelanceguild.ca/en/page/page-content/calendar-2/

CFG is also offering a new discount code for WFNB members, which can be found in the members-only section of the website. To access the members-only section, log in to the website with your username and password, and click “Members-Only” in the top menu bar of our website.

OPEN MIC!

Sunday, October 20th, 

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 for writers of all ages and genres. Come out and read your poems, short stories, comics, novels, essays, twitter posts, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen. All are welcome.

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, general questions, and image or video files can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.

CALLS FOR SUBMISSION

Sunspot Lit, Novella-length Fiction and Nonfiction

For a limited time, Sunspot Lit is calling for single works of novella-length fiction or nonfiction in any category, including memoir, literary, genre, and historical. Open October 1 through October 31. Guidelines and submission forms at Submittable: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit or Duotrope: https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/sunspot-literary-journal-LIXJW.

Fiddlehead General submissions:

The Fiddlehead is now open for submissions! The Fiddlehead publishes excellent writing in English, or translations into English, from all over the world and in a variety of styles, including experimental genres. Our editors are accepting new unsolicited works in fiction (including excerpts from novels), creative nonfiction, and poetry until November 30. The Fiddlehead pays $65 per printed page. Submission guidelines: https://thefiddlehead.ca/submit

Hello Friends and Members 

Hello, Members and Friends! “By all these lovely tokens, September days are here,” writes poet Helen Hunt Jackson, “with summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.”

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

WordsFall is just around the corner!

WordsFall 2024 will take place the weekend of October 25 -27, and I hope you’ve taken a look at the schedule and plan to attend the whole weekend, or even just a workshop or two. It will be well worth it, and we’ve always enjoyed our time in Sussex in the past. We’ll be featuring our workshop leaders on social media in the leadup to the event. Don’t miss it!

New Brunswick Book Awards submissions are open.

If you have a book to submit to the 2025 NB Book Awards (there’s a new fifth award this year, if you haven’t heard), you have until December 1 to fill out a submission form and send us two copies of your book. There are always stragglers, but we do try to mail the books off to the judges by mid-December. Remember, the program costs nothing to enter, but the author must be a New Brunswick resident, and the book must have been published in the 2024 calendar year. Check out this page for more details.

Arts Atlantic Symposium in October

The Arts Atlantic Symposium, a production of ArtsLink NB, takes place October 18-20 in Moncton. During this time, the region’s top artists, performers, and industry professionals come together for three days of art installations, exhibitions, performances, workshops, and panels that celebrate the power of Atlantic Canadian art. The WFNB will be involved in the Arts Atlantic Symposium marketplace (read: trade show) at the Crowne Plaza Moncton on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. 

I’d like to put together a gift basket for our table and sell raffle tickets with a winner to be drawn that day. If you have any NB books (signed by the author would be awesome!) to donate, or any other pleasing addition to a writing-related basket, please drop me a line at info@wfnb.ca.

Member News

In Memoriam: Helena Hook (1946-2024)

Photo: Seated at right is Helena with other participants at the 2022 WFNB Fall Writers’ Retreat

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Helena Hook, a cherished member of WFNB, who died peacefully on August 3rd in the palliative care unit at Saint John Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 4th, 1946, in Athlone, Ireland, Helena emigrated to New Brunswick with her husband Stuart and their two children, Fiona and Ian, in 1973. The family settled on Darlings Island, where they were blessed with a third child, David. Later, they moved to Quispamsis, where Helena's love of nature bloomed in the form of beautiful, lush gardens surrounding their home.

Helena’s life was a canvas of vibrant colours, from her work at her Saint John business, Radiant Colours, to the vivid imagery in her poetry and prose. Her passion for writing and learning was unwavering. At the age of 60, she returned to university, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English. Her thesis explored the work of the late Irish poet and playwright Seamus Heaney, further connecting her to her Irish roots.

A devoted writer, Helena was a beloved member of the Seaside Scribes, a Saint John writing group who will miss her dearly. Her work was published in various anthologies and magazines, and her family memoir, Threads of Time, offers a touching tribute to her mother’s resilience. Set in the busy market town of Athlone in the 1950s and 60s, Threads of Time unravels the complex fabric of an Irish family and the enduring strength of its bonds.

Threads of Time is available on Kindle and in paperback on Amazon.

Helena’s obituary can be found here.

Chuck Bowie featured in the Canada Council National Public Reading Program.

As part of the Canada Council National Public Reading Program, WFNB member Chuck Bowie will be reading from his newest Suspense-Thriller novel, Lost in London. This is number 6 in the Donovan: Thief4Hire series.

Where: Dog-Eared Books, Unit 218, 281 Restigouche Rd, Oromocto, NB

When: Saturday, November 2, 2 pm – 4 pm

Heather Browne is offering a Creative Writing Course in Fredericton.

WFNB member Heather Browne once again leads a creative writing course in her community on Tuesday mornings  beginning October 22 for 8 weeks in Fredericton. For details please email kathryn.baird@fredericton.ca

Shawn Lawlor releases his first novel.

WFNB member Shawn Lawlor would like to announce his first novel release, entitled Boom Road, published by Galleon Books. It's also available through Chapters/Indigo, and through Amazon.

Synopsis: Jackie O'Connor is true to his word and expects one thing from others: to be true to theirs. Growing up in rural New Brunswick on the banks of the mystical Miramichi River, leading a straightforward life and working at the sawmill, Jackie doesn't demand much else from anyone.

But everything takes an unforeseen turn when he inherits a large sum of money. The world around him spins upside down - the dead come back to haunt him, and others seek to deceive him.

Navigating this new reality with his dog Ruby at his side, beset by urgent requests and shadowy friendships, Jackie paddles his canoe through spiraling circumstances and an ever-changing world, attempting to keep both his vessel afloat and his moral compass straight.

Barb Parker’s newest book launches in October.

Barb Parker is pleased to announce that her third nonfiction book, written from the heart with love and compassion, is due out in October. Don’t Leave Me is published by Word Alive Press in Manitoba.  Barb’s first book, My Sister's Journey From Headache to Heartache, published in 2010, was voted top Reader's Choice of the Year 2013 by Salon Magazine. Her second book, The Choice - My Path My Destiny, was published in 2013, both by Essence Publishing in Belleville, Ontario.

Jennifer Shelby receives ArtsNB Creation Grant.

WFNB member Jennifer Shelby is delighted to announce that she was granted an ArtsNB Creation Grant to write a new novel entitled "A Binding of Story and Spellwork." Yay! Congratulations, Jennifer.

Also, in response to the warning about scams in the July inkspot, Jennifer thought our members might like to know about the Writer Beware blog which is such an important resource for writers to research companies who approach them.

Writer Beware is a branch of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Association (SFWA), so they are big enough to have legal clout and aren't afraid to speak up. It's also a fantastic place to report scams and feel a little less helpless in the face of so many writer predators out there.

Welcome New Members

Lauren Hoyt 

Lauren Hoyt has a degree in journalism and works in the field of communications. A Grand Bay-Westfield resident, she writes in the genres of corporate writing, creative nonfiction, editing, fiction, journalism, nonfiction, and photography. Welcome, Lauren!

Linda Turner 

Linda Turner is a new member from Amherst, Nova Scotia, and works in the genres of Flash/Micro fiction, Middle Grade, and Travel Writing. Welcome, Linda!

Finally, I’m always sad, even resentful, when my favourite season - summer - is over. But this time of year also has a charm of its own. Not everyone’s faces are glum – some kids look forward to seeing their friends and establishing a routine at school, with sports and activities.  College students are settled back in their dorms and apartments, like my youngest son, who is anxious to complete the final year of his degree. And then there’s harvest time.Those of us who plant seeds in the spring are enjoying the fruits of our labour.

For example, my family helped me harvest our grapevines last weekend - the knavish birds had begun to steal them, but I’m stingy. I’ll make Grapefulness jelly for the first time since we moved to a new home a three years ago. It’s satisfying to hear that familiar *pop!* as the bottles seal.

As I write this, a different sort of season is ending at the WFNB.

Kris Windley, who has been serving as our program director for the last two years, is moving on to other things. I’m sure she’ll tell you more in her programming message, but on behalf of the board, I’d like to say thanks for her contribution to our organization. I will miss our discussions about long-term strategies, marketing expertise and new programming (like the first season of our new WordCraft podcast). She provided a fresh spark of energy during her time here, and I hope we’ll see her around at events from time to time.

That’s all for now. Cheers,

Rhonda

WordWorthy: I think that most of us want to offer the world something of quality – something that the world will consider “good,” or “important.” That’s really the enemy. Because it’s not up to us whether what we do is any “good.” And if history has taught us anything, the world is an extremely unreliable critic. You have to ask yourself if human creativity matters. Ethan Hawke – actor, writer, director.

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

I am so proud of the work I’ve done here at WFNB.

Over the last two years, while working for and with the WFNB executive and membership, I have enjoyed planning, dreaming, and executing some pretty audacious projects with Rhonda. From our weekly meetings over coffee and date squares to frightening her with *yet another* new plan or idea to worry about, it has been a pleasure to carry on in our little army of two.

I may yet make a few more cameo appearances on the Kris and Rhonda Roadshow moving forward, but because of personal obligations and the still unsatisfactory science of cloning, it’s time for me to hang up a handful of the way-too-many hats I’m wearing.

Given the current need for teachers in NB - and the not insignificant impact a few young writers had on my heart this past WordSpring - I know that moving back to the classroom as a teacher will be a satisfying one, but I’ll miss the work we do, and the joy with which I’ve dreamt of all we can still do in our small but mighty literary province.

Thank you so much for the experience, writers! It has been a great challenge and pleasure. That said, read on for this month’s program news.

WordCraft Season 1

The inaugural season of our professional development and public outreach podcast, WordCraft, has received nothing but lovely reviews. I’m not personally surprised, because the incredible talent of our host, Jenna Morton, and the quality and generosity of the established writers here in New Brunswick work together in such a way that makes success inevitable.

That’s not to say that success came without work and commitment. We’d like to thank Jenna Morton and Tosh Taylor of the Podcast Hub, as well as the six authors who shared their time and experience with us. If you haven’t listened yet, please do so on Spotify - and leave a review! It helps others to find and benefit from the great work these folks have done.

Transcripts and show notes are available here, on the WordCraft blog. 

I have truly enjoyed the process of developing this project: the excitement of brainstorming and planning, designing graphics and production materials, transcribing the terrific conversations - and finally sharing them with you. It’s been a pleasure, and timed very well for me personally as a lovely cap on my time at the WFNB.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Volunteer/Work Opportunities

Request for Volunteer Jurors

Crime Writers of Canada seeks jurors for our 2025 CWC Awards of Excellence. Candidates should be:

• knowledgeable about mystery & crime fiction & nonfiction, whether by long reading or work/volunteering in the writing and publishing industries
• willing to spend the time necessary to thoughtfully read the entries in their category
• prepared to provide 1-3 sentence assessments of the material for the author
• proficient in the language of the award category they are assigned (English or French), and

• willing to read ebooks

For more information contact Ludvica: awards@crimewriterscanada.com

Deadline to volunteer: 25 October 2024

Applications for Saskatoon Public Library's Writer in Residence 2025-2026 term are now open. Check out the job posting for more information.

Community Events

Writers’ Open Mic in Sackville

WFNB member Laura Watson is announcing another Open Mic in Sackville!

Sunday, September 15th

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 for writers of all ages and genres. Come out and read your poems, short stories, comics, novels, essays, twitter posts, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen. All are welcome.

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, general questions, and image or video files can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.

Online Event: Poetry Workshop

Intimate Negotiation: The Art of Writing Family in Poetry workshop will look at the art, and challenges, of writing family in poetry. We will discuss poetry and how to write about family (style, technique and some unique approaches), try out a few writing exercises and workshop participants' poems.

Hosts: Margo Wheaton & Kayla Geitzler

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024

Time: 1-4pm AST

Where: on Zoom

Cost: $59 CAD you register before Sept. 15th, 2024

$69 CAD after September 15th.

$30 for BIPOC participants

Writers of all levels are welcome in this safe and supportive space!

Margo Wheaton is the author of The Unlit Path Behind the House (Gerald Lampert Award) and Rags of Night in Our Mouths (amazing book!). Margo has won many awards for her writing and is well-regarded for her superior workshop facilitation skills.

Kayla Geitzler is the author of That Light Feeling Under Your Feet and co-editor of Cadence: Voix feminines Female Voices. She was named a Rad Woman of Canadian Poerty and was Moncton's first Anglophone Poet Laureate.

Saint John

Amazing News: The Fog Lit Festival is back!

Saint John’s flagship literary festival is returning to Saint John on September 26-28, 2024 with a weekend of in-person author events and writing workshops. 

Headlining this year’s festival are award-winning Newfoundland poet Douglas Walbourne-Gough, whose poetry collection Island will be launched at the Saint John Arts Centre on Friday, September 27; and Scotiabank Giller Prize-shortlisted fiction author Michelle Winters, whose new book Hair for Men is set in New Brunswick. The festival will also feature a variety of local authors including writer and cartoonist Brandon Hicks, bestselling children’s author Riel Nason, and writer Sue Nelson Buckley.

Thursday, September 26 

Opening Reception & Book Launch: On the Border by Brandon Hicks 7PM at Imperial Theatre (Golding's Lounge), 12 King Square S 

Friday, September 27 

Poetry Launch: Island by Douglas Walbourne-Gough 

in-conversation with Rachel Bryant 7PM at Saint John Arts Centre, 20 Peel Plaza  

Saturday, September 28 

The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt: Kids' Craft Workshop with Riel Nason:
11AM at Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square 

How Stories Grow & Evolve: Reading & Workshop with Sue Nelson Buckley
1PM at Imperial Theatre (Golding's Lounge), 12 King Square S 

Fiction Launch: Hair for Men by Michelle Winters in-conversation with Julia Wright
7PM at Imperial Theatre (Golding Lounge), 12 King Square S

Fog Lit Festival is a not-for-profit literary festival based in Saint John, New Brunswick that offers an inclusive and exciting lineup of in-person events, book launches, literary panel discussions, workshops, and author readings. The original Fog Lit Festival, which operated from 2013-2019, has been relaunched with a new board of directors to oversee the development of the revamped festival.

Fredericton

The Charlotte Street Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB, presents a fall Horror Fiction Writing Class with Mike Thorn.  Check out the Facebook Event or visit their website.

The Fiddlehead is extending an invitation to every near and far to join us on September 21 to celebrate our 300th issue! The festivities will start at 1:00 AST with a free fiction writing workshop at the Fredericton Public Library hosted by Kasia Van Schiak followed by a hybrid reading from 2:00 - 3:00 AST on Zoom and at the Fredericton Public Library. The reading will feature contributor Eleni Zaptses, Kasia Van Schiak, and members of the local writing group FEILDS. To attend the readings virtually, please register by emailing thefiddlehead@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.

When registering please provide your name and whether or not you require ASL services. If attending the reading in person, registration is not necessary. Please also send us an email if you plan to attend the workshop. Walk-ins are welcome but we would like to have an estimate of how many people plan on attending. Find all our event details on our Facebook Event.

Community Writing Groups

Online “The Artist’s Way” group

Starting in September a new Facebook group page will be open for writers interested in following the principles and creative activities taken from Julia Cameron’s classic, The Artist’s Way.

If you are interested in receiving an invite to this page and joining others to participate for thirteen consecutive weeks as outlined below, please contact Louise at fundybaywriters@gmail.com and she will send you a Facebook invite for September 15th. Each week will commence on Sunday evening.

Two weeks will give you enough time to obtain a copy of the book either from the library or purchase through any number of sources (new or used) and then we can communally get our creative juices flowing using weekly readings, daily morning pages, Artist dates, ongoing playful activities and check-in’s as suggested in the book.

• Week one -  introductions
  
• Week two - recovering a sense of safety
  
• Week three - recovering a sense of identity
  
• Week four - recovering a sense of authority
  
• Week five - recovering a sense of integrity
  
• Week six - recovering a sense of possibility
  
• Week seven - recovering a sense of abundance
  
• Week eight - recovering a sense of connection
  
• Week nine - recovering a sense of strength
  
• Week ten - recovering a sense of compassion
  
• Week eleven - recovering a sense of self-care / protection
  
• Week twelve - recovering a sense of autonomy
  
• Week thirteenth - recovering a sense of faith

Upcoming Contests, Submissions, and Grants

2024 Troubadour International Poetry Prize

You have a little over a week to submit a poem to the 2024 Troubadour International Poetry Prize! Poems on any subject must be received by Monday 23rd September.

Prizes of £2,000, £1,000 & £500, plus 20 commendeds, & a chance to read online alongside our judges Jane Yeh & Glyn Maxwell in an online international prize-night celebration on Monday 9th December.

More information on the website.

Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest

The fourteenth annual Musicworks Electronic Music Composition Contest opened August 1, 2024 and closes October 31. This juried contest spotlights new musical talent from around the world, offering cash prizes and opportunities to be heard and published. In 2023, we received 150 submissions from nineteen countries, including Canada, the U.S., the U.K., as well as Belgium, Slovenia, Taiwan, Brazil, and others. Check out prize details, eligibility, assessment criteria, rules and restrictions, and the entry portal here.

That’s all for this letter, and for me. Thanks again for sharing the WFNB with me these past two years, folks. I will miss developing projects and sharing them with you each month, but I know that the Federation will keep on growing in the coming years. I’m excited to see where we all go together.

xo
Kris

Hello Friends and Members 

As I write this, it’s only August 9.  I’m setting up my portion of Inkspot a little early because I’m headed out on vacation. Nothing fancy, just visits to my favourite Maritime communities and natural places. While I’m away, check out what’s on the horizon

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

Summer Retreat Cancelled

The summer retreat we planned for August 23-25, was unfortunately cancelled, as we didn’t fill the necessary spots to provide catering services. But! We secured the Winter retreat date: January 17 - 19, at the Villa Madonna. Refunds to those who had already reserved their spot can be expected next week, when I’m back in the office.

Final Frances Peck Workshop Coming Soon!

September 10, Frances Peck will return to complete her three-workshop series for us with an online informal discussion about publishing called, “From Editor to Author: A Journey in Several Parts.” Come prepared with your questions about the publishing industry, the writing process, marketing - whatever interests you.

For three decades, Frances Peck was a successful behind-the-scenes wordsmith, working on other people’s publications as an editor, ghostwriter, and rewriter. She has also taught over 10,000 people how to get better at editing and writing. Then she decided it was time to return to her youthful passion—writing fiction.

In this webinar, Frances will recount her journey from hidden editor to published author, discuss the delicate dance of creativity and editing, and field questions on writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Check out the event page.

WordsFall 2024

Plans are underway for WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. You can register on the event page now. Rooms have been reserved for us at the Amsterdam Inn (which you can reserve now - $129 for a single and $139 for a double). You have one month to decide, because the fixed cut off date for reserved rooms is September 9.

Our readings and workshops will take place at the AX Gallery, the Amsterdam Inn, The Mule Bar and Grill, and Golden Jubilee Hall. 

We have some great sessions lined up: On Saturday morning, Carlos Anthony will return to teach a class on writing successful Canada Council grants, and there will be other workshops to choose from led by these wonderful Maritime authors: Charlene Carr, Kelly Cooper, Brandon Mitchell, Fawn Parker, and Zev Bagel.

If you write nonfiction, historical fiction, or you’re just a history buff, we hope a guided tour of the Hussars Museum in Sussex will be fun and interesting for you. And as always, if you can’t take in the whole weekend, you can pick and choose what to attend. It will be great to see you at our fall gathering!

NB Book Awards Announces Fifth Award!

If you’ve been following our social media pages, you’ll know that we’ve added a fifth award to the NB Book Awards: The Books for Young Readers Award, generously sponsored by JD Irving Ltd.

Submissions for the calendar year 2024 are now open, so check out the program page on our website to fill out an entry form. We need two copies of your book, please, postmarked by December 1, 2024.

Member News

Andrew Butters releases new novel

Andrew Butters recently released the novel, Known Order Girls. It can be found on Amazon, at Chapters Moncton, and in the Partridge Island Publishing Area 506 Container Village store.

His other books can be found on his website. Andrew spends most of his time interacting with other writers and readers (and posting cat pics) on Facebook. 

Peter Clair is reading at James McConnell Regional Library

Peter Clair is having a reading at the James McConnell Regional Library. Find him at 50 Falmouth Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Sept 7, 2024. The reading will take place from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Peter will be reading new material, and also from his novel, Taapoategl and Pallet.

Hannah State’s novel named finalist in 2024 prize for independent fiction.

Hannah State’s second sci-fi novel, Journey to the Dark Galaxy, was named a finalist in the 2024 Whistler Independent Book Awards in the 'fiction' category. This prestigious national award celebrates excellence in Canadian independent publishing and is sponsored by The Writers' Union of Canada. There were hundreds of entries this year. The book was also named a finalist in the 2023 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (UK). Hannah looks forward to participating in the upcoming Whistler Writers Festival in October. You can find her on facebook.

Welcome New Members

Gary Bernard

Gary lives in Riverview and writes essays and poetry. Welcome, Gary!

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe lives in Fredericton and works in several genres: editing, fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, and short stories. Welcome, Alyssa!

Eoin Fraser

Eoin Fraser is a well-travelled military member living in Fredericton. Eoin has been writing poetry since childhood and is working toward publication. Welcome, Eoin!

Jeffrey Little

Jeffrey Little is a returning member who writes fiction, science fiction, and flash/micro fiction under the pen name J.G. Little. Welcome back, Jeffrey!

Christine Lovelace

Christine Lovelace is a writer from Fredericton, and we’re happy to have her as a new member. Welcome, Christine!

Faith Matchett

Faith Matchett writes nonfiction from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Faith!

Emily Sanford

Emily Sanford is a poet and prose writer whose work has been published widely. She writes in a variety of genres: blogging, corporate writing, creative nonfiction, copywriting, essays, fiction, flash/micro fiction, freelance writing, playwriting, poetry, and short stories. Welcome, Emily!

Nando Speranza

Nando Speranza is a Juno-nominated music producer, musician and former studio owner who lives in Moncton. He writes in the genres of biography, nonfiction and spiritual. Welcome, Nando!

Amber Swan

Amber Swan (pen name A. Swan) is a physician, farmer and writer living Harvey. Amber writes in the genres of children’s, comedy, corporate writing, editing, fiction, playwriting and poetry. Welcome, Amber!

Harold Taylor

Harold Taylor is a nonfiction writer living in Sussex. He is a time management expert and has been writing books and articles on this subject for 50 years, including the Canadian bestseller, Making Time Work for You. Welcome, Harold!

Julie Trites

Julie Trites is a corporate and fiction writer living in Quispamsis. Welcome, Julie!

I hope all of you have also had time to get away this summer. It’s been a wonderful season, and it’s not quite over yet. Remember this sage advice from our own Gerard Collins. “Be unflinchingly truthful. There is no room for kindness in writing. There is only truth.” 

Cheers,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for their support of this year’s professional development programming, including monthly workshops, our two main festivals - WordSpring and WordsFall - and the newest addition to our PD portfolio the WordCraft podcast for writers, by writers.

WordCraft Season 1 is Live!

We have had tremendous response already for the first 3 episodes of WordCraft Season 1. Our first episode with Beth Powning was a beautiful conversation about writing and creativity in New Brunswick, while Leo LaFleur emphasized the importance of supportive people and a wide range of creative pursuits for both his writing and mental health, and Len Falkenstein showed us more about the world of the New Brunswick playwright and the culture of theatre in our province.

If you haven’t yet, please go subscribe and listen to these and the upcoming three episodes featuring Jen McGrath, Terry Armstrong, and Sue Sinclair. Don’t forget to leave a rating. It really helps to share these valuable conversations with other writers and readers.

Submit to InkSpot for Next Month

If you have news about community events, resources, member news, or opportunities - submit them to info@wfnb.ca.

Register for Upcoming Events

Upcoming Online Workshop

Register for the final segment of Frances Peck’s 3-workshop series, to be aired live in September.

WordsFall Festival in Sussex

Register for the whole weekend, or explore the events page to see what workshops you’d like to attend this year, in Sussex.

Community Events

Saint John

Partridge Island Publishing has partnered with CSG Publishing House, OC Publishing, Donovan Street Press, and Merlin Star Press to present Pitch the Publisher.

The Pitch the Publisher event will occur on Saturday, September 21, 2024 (Rain or Shine) from 1 pm – 3 pm in the Area 506 Community Space at 85 Water Street, Saint John, NB.

This no-fee event is open to all authors with completed, ready-to-submit manuscripts. The publishers are looking for completed manuscripts in genre fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and children’s books.

Each participant will have 5 minutes to pitch their story to the publishers, followed by a Question and Answer period. We have space for 12 participants, and if there is additional time at the end, we will accept additional participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, email amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca with a synopsis of your manuscript, including genre, word count, comparable, story outline, and a sample of up to 10 pages of the story.

Each participant will receive an email prior to the event to give them their order in the line-up and the expected time they will present.

Fredericton

Fawn Parker will be hosting the August “Catch-Up” at Bookmark Fredericton. Come on out to Westminster Bookmark in Fredericton from 3-5pm on Sunday, August 18th, when this month’s poetry reading features Thandiwe McCarthy, Jennifer Houle, and our current Fredericton poet laureate Jordan Trethewey!

Fawn will also be teaching a poetry workshop at WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. Looking forward to that!

Community Resources

Sussex and Area Writers’ and Authors’ Group

Inaugural Meeting of the Sussex & Area Writers and Authors group will take place on Wednesday, September 11 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, at the Sussex Regional Library 46 Magnolia Ave. Sussex, NB

Free membership to anyone with an interest in writing, whether published or unpublished. It doesn’t matter if you write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, short verse, epigrams or greeting card ideas or rhymes. No matter your genre or expertise, you are welcome to attend.

Please register by email, giving full name only: sussexwritersgroup@gmail.com

Or you can call 506-432-4585, or drop into the library in person to register.

Various events will be held throughout the year, such as public readings, author book signings, workshops, etc. Show up and have your questions answered.

Writers’ Retreat in Pugwash

Writers' Retreat at Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, October 4 - 6, 2024 with facilitator, Marjorie Simmins.

Please join us for a two-day writers' retreat at Thinkers Lodge in beautiful Pugwash, Nova Scotia! For two days and nights, stay at a National Historic Site on the shores of the spectacular Northumberland Strait. 

Marjorie Simmins is an award-winning writer and the author of four non-fiction titles. She has taught writing workshops across Canada and via Zoom. She is "all about the story," and helping you to find yours.

Bring your ideas for a memoir, your manuscript in progress, your short or long-form creative non-fiction, bring your determination to create beauty with words, and enjoy two full days of quiet and focus. In between those times, you'll meet for mini-workshops, one-on-one discussions with the facilitator, and sharings of collective wisdom. Space is limited to 10. Please book early to secure your seat.

Info: mls@marjoriesimmins.ca

Call for applications

ArtsLink NB's Catapult program

Application deadline: Sun, August 25, 11:59 pm

The Fall 2024 session will be a hybrid of online sessions and in-person meetings in Moncton, NB. The program will run every Saturday from September 7 to December 7.

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. See the CATAPULT website for full details.

Feedback on genre fiction stories and novel excerpts

Sunspot Lit offers feedback on genre fiction stories and novel excerpts. Option to submit up to 5,000 words or up to 12,500 words. Submissions are capped, so submit early online.

The McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests are on now until November 30th. $3750 in cash prizes to be won with one cash prize of $1250 in each category! This year’s judges are Bola Opaleke (Poetry), Lauren Carter (Fiction) and Jenny Heijun Wills (Creative Non-Fiction). Contest fee: $34 (comes with a 1-year subscription to Prairie Fire). For more information on how to enter, please see website for details.

Workers of the Warming World Unite! Poetry Anthology

Deadline: October 31, 2024

Has your job, workplace, industry, or livelihood been affected by changing environmental conditions? We are seeking submissions of poems about work in the age of global warming that are:

• insider poems by working people who are doing or have done the work they write about
• poems about all kinds of work, including the trades, online work, unpaid labour, customer service, care work, medical work and healthcare, migrant and precarious labour, traditional and subsistence labour, agriculture, the gig economy, internships and student labour, and more
• poems by workers from underrepresented groups—especially Indigenous, racialized, migrant, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, Elders and elderly, women, and non-binary workers
• poems written in any style or form. We welcome writing from new or previously unpublished poets

Please submit up to 3 previously unpublished poems to workandclimatepoetry@gmail.com by October 31, 2024. Visit the website for more information including upcoming writing workshops.

Geist is accepting submissions for upcoming issues

Calling all writers and artists, Geist is accepting submissions! They're reading non-fiction, fiction, poetry and comics for our upcoming issues. Deadline is August 26, 2024.

The Fiddlehead's 2024 Fiction Contest is now open for submissions! 

The Fiddlehead invites authors, emerging and established, to send us their best piece of writing by September 2, 2024, to be considered by acclaimed author and judge Zilla Jones. Don't miss your chance to win $2000 and be published in our winter 2025 issue! 

See the full guidelines online.

Submit your Short Story to Tidewater Press

Tidewater Press is inviting submissions for a new short story anthology

Inspired by the Trans Canada Trail, the collection will feature one story from each of the provinces and territories. Not a travelogue, we are looking for original, creative tales, in any genre or style, with the linking theme of place: waterways, trails, roads and communities along the Trans Canada Trail. All authors will receive a standard contributor’s fee for first publication rights only. Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024. Stories (2,000—8,000 words) to  may be sent via the Tidewater Press website, or to info@tidewaterpress.ca

Submit Proposals for Critical and Creative Presentations

Organizers of the tenth Mennonite/s Writing conference invite proposals for critical and creative presentations on any aspect of Mennonite literature, including the 2024 conference theme of "Words at Work and Play."

In keeping with the field's long-standing practice of working across creative and critical boundaries, we invite proposals for scholarly presentations as well as creative and genre-bending work from across and beyond the academy, including: work in any literary genre or medium; audio and visual arts; theatre and film; historical writing; social critique; theological reflection; religious studies; anthropology; community-engaged research; race, ethnicity, and gender studies; ecocriticism; reconciliation and Indigeneity; postcolonial writing; autotheory; ethics; digital humanities; comedy; publishing, printing, & editing; podcasting; translation; and even literary criticism. We especially encourage submissions that will broaden and enrich the field's historical, geographical, methodological, and disciplinary range.

Please send proposals as 250-word abstracts (with short contributor biographies) to mennowritingx@cmu.ca by November 1, 2024. More details will be available soon at the conference webpage.

Prairie Fire Writing Contest

The McNally Robinson Booksellers and Prairie Fire Writing Contests are accepting submissions for three categories:

• The MRB Poetry Contest
  
• The MRB Short Fiction Contest, and
• The MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest

The contest deadline is November 30, 2024, with an entry fee of $34 per entry. Complete guidelines can be found on the Prairie Fire website.

That’s all for this month!

With Rhonda away on vacation and some unexpected family emergencies on my part, I want to thank you for your patience in receiving InkSpot later than usual this month. We’re looking forward to the next month’s programming, and even more exciting plans in the future!

Happy last days of Summer,

Kris

Hello Friends and Members 

Hey writers – how’s your summer going? I must say, the hot weather has put me firmly in my happy place. If you’re not enjoying the heat as much as I am, then I hope you find relief with the cool, rainy days. I dove headfirst into the garden right after WordSpring, and most of my spare hours—outside of work and book sales–have been spent there since. Here’s what’s coming up next:

Upcoming Events and News

WFNB Summer Writers’ Retreat

If you are thinking about signing up for our summer retreat, on August 23-25, now is the time to register! Remember, we need a minimum of 15 participants, and it’s always a good time—a weekend doesn’t seem long enough.

Our summer mentor is the poet Gerald Arthur (Art) Moore. Art is an adventurer, a part-time university lecturer, a high school teacher, and a rugby coach living in Moncton, New Brunswick. Author of the poetry collection Shatter the Glass, Shards of Flame, his work has appeared in Queen’s Quarterly, Vallum, The Antigonish Review, The Nashwaak Review, The Dalhousie Review, Qwerty, Off the Coast, Prairie Fire, Boston Poetry Magazine, Quills, and The Military Review. Moore has led six humanitarian work projects to Haiti since the devastating earthquake there in 2010, and his employment history includes army officer, schoolteacher, and bootlegger. Art's latest poetry collection, Flak Jacket, is now available in bookstores and online.

Frances Peck Workshop Series

If you missed last week’s workshop, Show, Don’t Tell, you’ll have a chance to listen to Frances once more on September 10, when she will complete her workshop series for us with an online informal discussion about publishing called From Editor to Author: A Journey in Several Parts. Come prepared with your questions about the publishing industry, the writing process, marketing—whatever interests you. For three decades, Frances Peck was a successful behind-the-scenes wordsmith, working on other people’s publications as an editor, ghostwriter, and rewriter. She also taught over 10,000 people how to get better at editing and writing. Then she decided it was time to return to her youthful passion—writing fiction. In this webinar, Frances will recount her journey from hidden editor to published author, discuss the delicate dance of creativity and editing, and field questions on writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Look for the event page in early August.

ArtsNB Workshop: Writing Successful Grant Applications

Artsnb is conducting a free workshop for WFNB members on July 25, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, on writing successful artsnb grant applications. The response has been enormous, but you can still sign up at https://wfnb.ca/event-5795260

WordsFall is coming soon!

Plans are underway for WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. Save the date and look for the event page in early August. Rooms have been reserved for us at the Amsterdam Inn, and our readings and workshops will take place at the AX Gallery and a couple of other locations in the lovely little town of Sussex. We were last there when Jen McGrath conducted a workshop on writing picture books in November 2022.

We have some great sessions lined up: On Saturday morning, Carlos Anthony will return to teach a class on writing successful Canada Council grants, and there will be other workshops to choose from led by wonderful Maritime authors like Charlene Carr, Kelly Cooper, Brandon Mitchell, Fawn Parker, and Zev Bagel. If you write nonfiction, historical fiction, or you’re just a history buff, we hope a guided tour of the Hussars Museum in Sussex will be fun and interesting for you. And as always, if you can’t take in the whole weekend, you can pick and choose what to attend. It will be great to see you at our fall gathering!

Announcements

A Word about Marketing Scams

Take heed, writers: One of our members reached out to say that she has received several calls from different companies in the past year offering to promote her book, buy certain rights, adapt for the screen, etc. A legitimate company would know that they must contact a publisher to obtain such rights (unless you are self-published). If you are getting similar calls, you can listen to this podcast, which talks about the workings of the scam here: https://amarketingexpert.com/2022/09/22/snake-oil-exists-in-book-publishing-and-marketing/  

And you can read more in an article here: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/pearson-media-group-a-watchdog-advisory/

Member News

Gina Sweet-Ellis published novel, “Petri Johnny.”

Writers of Kingston Peninsula founder and WFNB member Gina Sweet-Ellis recently published a novel on Amazon entitled “Petri Johnny.” You can find Gina on Facebook, under Skinny Dogs Studio. Folks are saying it’s hilarious! https://www.amazon.ca/Petri-Johnny-Gina-Sweet-Ellis-ebook/dp/B0D4G6H85V

Welcome New Members

Noeline Bridge

Noeline Bridge is a Moncton writer and former librarian who is a three-time nonfiction winner in our annual writing competition. Noeline writes in the genres of Creative non-fiction, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Spiritual, and Travel Writing. Welcome, Noeline!

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe is a writer from Fredericton who is interested in the genres of editing, fantasy, fiction, romance, science fiction, and short stories. Welcome, Alyssa!

Lar Collicott

Lar Collicott is based in Fredericton and writes Fiction, Horror, Scripts, Suspense, Flash/Micro fiction, Thrillers, and Short stories. Welcome, Lar!

David Ting

David Ting lives in Moncton and writes Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Poetry, Science Fiction, Technical, and Short stories. Welcome, David!

That’s it for me. Enjoy July, writers!

Remember, “Editing is all about doubt. Changing, fixing, chopping. But your horrible first draft—get it out without judgement. Find your inner kindergartner. Live as if all your dreams will come true.” Katherina Vermette

Cheers,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

Acknowledgements of Support

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for their support of this year’s professional development programming, including monthly workshops, our two main festivals - WordSpring and WordsFall - and the newest addition to our PD portfolio the WordCraft podcast for writers, by writers.

WordCraft Wednesdays are Starting Soon!

Our first professional development podcast is ready to launch! Every Wednesday, a new episode will go live on every major podcast platform, and transcripts will be available with show notes here, on the WFNB blog. 

We’ll send a link to each episode on Wednesdays, starting July 24th until the last Wednesday in August. The first episode will feature an interview between our lovely host Jenna Morton and the incomparable Beth Powning. Stay tuned!

New Resources

BIPOC Writers Connect Extended until July 22.

The deadline for BIPOC Writers Connect: Facilitating Mentorship, Creating Community has been extended until July 22, 2024!

BIPOC Writers Connect is a virtual conference for Black, Indigenous, and racialized emerging writers to connect with industry professionals, established authors, and fellow emerging writers — all in one place! Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) and the League of Canadian Poets (LCP).

BIPOC Writers Connect is a free event, with no application fees, but advance application is required. We welcome applications from emerging writers across Canada. Applications are open until July 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm PDT. This year's conference takes place on October 17, 2024 on Zoom.

BIPOC Writers Connect is a free event, but advance application is required. Applications are open until July 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm PDT. Successful applicants will be notified by September 2024.

For more information: writersunion.ca/bipoc-writers-connect.

Upcoming Contests, Submissions, and Grants

The Fiddlehead’s 2024 Fiction Contest is Now Open for Submissions.

The Fiddlehead invites authors, emerging and established, to send us their best piece of writing by September 2, 2024, to be considered by acclaimed author and judge Zilla Jones. Don't miss your chance to win $2000 and be published in our winter 2025 issue! 

See the full guidelines at https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest

Tidewater Press is inviting submissions for a New Short Story Anthology.

Inspired by the Trans Canada Trail, the collection will feature one story from each of the provinces and territories. Not a travelogue, we are looking for original, creative tales, in any genre or style, with the linking theme of place: waterways, trails, roads and communities along the Trans Canada Trail. All authors will receive a standard contributor’s fee for first publication rights only. Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024. Stories (2,000—8,000 words) to  may be sent via the Tidewater Press website, or to info@tidewaterpress.ca

ArtsLink NB is launching an exciting new project!

ArtsLink NB is launching an exciting new project – Root Words: In Search of NB Arts Writing, which is an anthology of writing about the arts in New Brunswick to be published in 2025. This call for pitches is an opportunity for writers at absolutely all career stages and levels of experience. Please read more about the project in the attached document, share widely in your networks, and with anyone you feel would be a good fit to contribute. Read the submission guidelines here: https://artslinknb.com/blog/2024/07/08/root-words-call-for-pitches/

Tenth Mennonite’s Writing Conference Invites Proposals.

Organizers of the tenth Mennonite’s Writing conference invite proposals for critical and creative presentations on any aspect of Mennonite literature, including the 2024 conference theme of "Words at Work and Play."

In keeping with the field's long-standing practice of working across creative and critical boundaries, we invite proposals for scholarly presentations as well as creative and genre-bending work from across and beyond the academy, including: work in any literary genre or medium; audio and visual arts; theatre and film; historical writing; social critique; theological reflection; religious studies; anthropology; community-engaged research; race, ethnicity, and gender studies; ecocriticism; reconciliation and Indigeneity; postcolonial writing; autotheory; ethics; digital humanities; comedy; publishing, printing, & editing; podcasting; translation; and even literary criticism. We especially encourage submissions that will broaden and enrich the field's historical, geographical, methodological, and disciplinary range.

Please send proposals as 250-word abstracts (with short contributor biographies) to mennowritingx@cmu.ca by November 1, 2024. More details will be available soon at the conference webpage: www.cmu.ca/programs/english/mennonites-writing

Community Events

July 21, 2024

Cathy J. Hopkins will be giving a public reading at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container Village
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

Saturday, July 27th

The Greater Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe Book Fair will take place at the Riverview Lions Community Centre.

701 Coverdale Road
Riverview, NB

Free admission! A portion of all proceeds will go to support Read NB.

For more information, go to www.gmrdbookfair.ca 

July 28, 2024

Join Vanessa C. Hawkins - author of A Child to Cry Over, Baloon Riot & Bunker Blitz, and The Curious Case of Simon Todd - at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

July 31, 2024

Join Sheila McPhee at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

August 2, 2024

Join Cathy J. Hopkins, Suzanne Casey, Anne Smith-Nochasack, and Danielle Metcalfe-Chanail at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

August 4, 2024

Join Danielle Metcalfe-Chanail and Cathy J. Hopkins at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

Submit to Inkspot

If you have news for writers in NB, share it here!

Email us at info@wfnb.ca with the words, “Inkspot Submission” in the subject line. Tell us about the resource, event, or news you’d like us to share as well as a link for more information and any image, logo, or graphic we should attach to your entry. 

That’s all for now! See you next month in Quispamsis.

Kris

Hello Friends and Members 

Overall, WordSpring was a seamless weekend. I’ve been slack about getting the survey out to participants, but I promise to send it out before you forget what you want to say!

We enjoyed lots of great workshops and opportunities to chat and network with other writers. The Empress Theatre in Moncton was a lovely venue for the NB Writing Competition literary soiree. Susan White and Martha Vowles did a great job of keeping the evening humming along. And of course, the NB Book Awards on Saturday night at the Press Club was an exciting, inspiring and fulfilling event, as always. Best wishes to all the talented nominees and winners in our two award ceremonies. I am in awe.

And now, on to the AGM, which took place last evening, June 13 at 7 pm via Zoom. Our registrations are well above quorum, so thank you members, for your quick response to my plaintive cry on Monday. If you are a WFNB member, meeting materials can be found in the forum of our members-only section. Login to the website with your username and password, click Members-Only at the top of the home page, then scroll down the page. The forum is on the right-hand side.

In Memoriam

Gwen Logan Martin

October 31, 1951 - June 6, 2024

Our hearts are heavy to report that we have lost a beloved, longtime member. Gwen Martin passed away on June 6, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. 

Gwen Martin: A Legacy of Courage and Love

Gwen L. Martin was born in England, and lived in three Canadian provinces before moving to the shores of Yoho Lake, near Fredericton. She began her working life as a geologist, adept at revealing the stories buried in stone, then made a living writing and editing for scientists, engineers, politicians, NGOs, artists, and musicians across Canada. She taught writing and editing workshops, authored Our Forest Heritage, a publication for the Province of NB, plus four geology books: Once Upon a Mine, For the Love of Stone (Vols 1 and 2), and Gesner’s Dream, a rollicking good tale of early New Brunswick mining explorations. She won various prizes for her poetry, books and essays, including awards with the Newfoundland Arts and Letters Competition, Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick, and Geist Magazine.

The written word delighted her in all its genres. Gwen held memberships in PWAC, TWUC, EAC, CWC, and WFNS. She joined WFNB in the 1980s, and remained a fervent supporter throughout the ensuing decades, encouraging other writers, participating in the WiSP program, writing grant applications, organizing workshops, and serving a term on the board of directors. When the ED left suddenly in 2014, she stepped into the role for two years, breathing new life into the organization, increasing membership, securing funding, encouraging young writers, developing a new website, and designing the colourful logo and branding that we have today.

But it was the authentic, graceful and courageous woman of immense depth and genuine love, not the accomplishments, that truly drew people to her. Music flowed through Gwen, finding expression not only in melodic harmonies, but in eloquent prose. She will be remembered for her intelligence and sensitivity, her spontaneity and joie de vivre, her wise counsel, keen perception, natural wit, generous spirit, and the myriad ways in which she elevated and encouraged the creativity in others. She peered into the hearts of those she met and mirrored for them the potential she saw buried there. And we loved her for it. —Deborah Carr

A Handful of Comments:

Zev Bagel (former president): “Gwen Martin was a bright surge of energy lighting up our world. I was honoured to be on the WFNB board of directors with Gwen, and then worked more closely with her when I was President, and she became our acting Executive Director. It was a challenging time for the Writers' Federation. We were at a low financial ebb, and our funding was being cut. Gwen kept us going. She straightened us out financially, inspired us with her notes in InkSpot, and steered us through tough decisions. Given our financial straits, it was remarkable that it was the year we launched, with the Fiddlehead, our first NB Book Awards. Gwen helped keep us on course. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Gwen, and those of us who knew and worked with her over the years have lost a wise, fun-loving, sparkly, energetic and inspirational woman. Thank you, Gwen, for living among us.”

Rayanne Brennan (former president): “I will always remember you as a wisp of a woman but a big ball of energy who jumped up at events to play a mean piano, read a brilliant piece of prose or lead a balloon-popping orchestra to celebrate WFNB’s 30th. You brought such passion to everything you did, as a geologist, writer, WFNB administrator, nature enthusiast…there’s so many things that could be said about you but none can adequately describe the extraordinary, one-of-kind person you were. You leave a rich legacy.”

Deborah Carr: “I have no idea how I'll find my way through, but I know because of you--because of what you’ve taught me and so many others—somehow, the way will become clear. May we all hold in our hearts the ferocious beauty and courage and wisdom that was yours, and let it resonate clearly in our own lives, and echo in the way we love.”

Margaret Eaton: “Gwen was truly a beacon of light. I have wonderful memories of her at what I think was the 30th anniversary of WFNB when she orchestrated a directed a great balloon popping event to the William Tell Overture. Only someone with Gwen’s delightful sense of fun and whimsy could have pulled off such an activity. She was an amazing force of light and life - still is.”

Spencer Folkins (former board member): “Gwen was greatly encouraging of young writers in our province. I appreciated her collaboration. Condolences to her friends and loved ones.”

Cathy Fynn (former ED):  “Gwen's passion and fearlessness transformed the people and causes she loved. She saw through flaws and walls to the purity inside and held it up for us to see and believe in. The world will not be the same without her; she left it a better place.”

Carla Gunn: “What an intelligent, sensitive, delightfully humourous woman she was. And also how beautifully her intellect, humour and sensitivity are reflected in her personal essays. The essay I link here is one of my favourites; she writes: "And so it goes. Rumi’s cozy adage – the wound is where the light enters – misses an essential corollary. Wounds are also where the light departs." So insightful and so very true. A most beautiful light has departed.” https://hippocampusmagazine.com/.../the-fragility-of.../

Jane Simpson (former board member and VP): “I do remember her staying over one night when we were hosting some event in Sussex. We sat together at my piano and sang and played back and forth all night. That’s how I’ll remember her. My condolences to her close friends and family.”

Sean Tapley: “She was a positive force in my life, and was the person who encouraged me to start writing. She was making me read Farley Mowatt at just 7 years old (haha). We used to walk through the woods in Yoho together, and she was capable of identifying every bird and rock in the forest. I even travelled with her sometimes while she was interviewing people for Gesner’s Dream. She really shaped me in certain ways. We lost contact not long after her and my grandfather went their separate ways, but I have always had a tremendous amount of love and appreciation for her. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

And a Poem

By Roger Moore

This is my tribute to my friend, Gwen Martin. It is published in The Nature of Art and the Art of Nature. (P. 52)

Gwen Martin

Magnificent the music, Tchaikovsky,

big and booming, balloons blooming,

colored uniforms, gaudy their globules,

our Field-Marshall standing to attention,

surveying the battlefield, her command

post positioned so she can organize

her army’s response. So, here we are, armed

with pins all primed, balloons at the ready.

Here it comes: climax, crescendo, the old

guard preparing that one last charge, Moscow,

behind us, burning, and now … she cries now …

now … pointing to each of one us in turn

and we pin-prick our balloons … now ... now … our

enemies run, Napoleon retreats,

Moscow is saved … glorious music, church

bells ring out in a wondrous finale.

I hope this is a fitting tribute to a great lady in remembrance of a wonderful occasion that demonstrated her strength, creativity, vibrancy, and exceptional skills. I shall miss my very good friend  – Roger Moore

Good memories. Thank you, Gwen.

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

Frances Peck online workshop: Show Don’t Tell

July 11, 2024 @ 7 pm AST - Look for the event page next week! 

“Show, don’t tell”—it’s advice writers get all the time. But how exactly do you do it? Rather than tell you all about this key to crackling prose, this workshop shows, through examples and short exercises, how to heed the advice on the page. From balancing narrative passages (that tell) with actions and scenes (that show), to banishing filter words that keep readers at a remove, we’ll explore how “show” techniques make fiction and nonfiction come alive. Bring your work in progress to assess during the exercises if you like.

WFNB Summer Writers’ Retreat

Join writer in residence, Gerald Arthur Moore for a weekend of writing, community, and mentorship. August 23 – 25 - Look for the event page by the end of June.

WordsFall Festival in Sussex, NB

WordsFall will be in Sussex this year, October 25-27 – we will be staying at the Amsterdam Inn. Other locations and our full slate of workshop leaders are to be determined. Stay tuned, but mark the date on your calendar. Look for the event page by the end of July.

Member News

Congratulations, Lisa Alward!

The Writers’ Union of Canada announced today that WFNB member Lisa Alward is the recipient of the $10,000 prize for the 27th annual Danuta Gleed Literary Award, recognizing the best first collection of short fiction by a Canadian author published in 2023 in the English language for Cocktail. Lisa also won the Mrs. Dunster's Fiction Prize this year for this short story collection. You can watch the rest of the TWUC award announcements here.

How's your dialogue?

On June 22nd, WFNB member Shelley Egan is offering an online workshop on how to edit dialogue in fiction through the College of Extended Learning at UNB. Details can be found here, under Writing and Literature.

Input requested:

WFNB member Jerry Iwanus is looking for recommendations re: a book cover designer for his next book. Know a great cover artist? Send the details to jiwanus@syban.net

Book Launch: Sly as a Fox by Wendy L. Koenig

WFNB member Denise McClure, who is facilitator of the writers’ group, EXHALE: Grand Falls, is happy to share with you a photo of a group member, Wendy L. Koenig of Drummond. Wendy is launching her book, Sly As a Fox, the second in her Sylvia series, with the third on its way.

Software Launch: Fablehenge

WFNB member, Dusty Phillips of Smithtown is announcing the launch of Fablehenge.com! This software helps writers manage their outlines, characters, settings, research, and more. Dusty is eager to share it with fellow New Brunswick authors. Key features include a to-do system to keep track of areas of active research, daily word count goals, tagging story elements in scenes, and a huge collection of element templates. Sharing scenes for feedback is coming soon. With a goal to ensure that artificial intelligence supports, rather than replaces, creative writers, the first two AI features to generate outlines and character reference images are already available. The software is available at https://www.fablehenge.com/.

We will feature Dusty’s new venture in an upcoming blog post.

Welcome New Members

Louis Anthony Bryan

Louis won third place in our Jane LeBlanc Screenwriting Competition for his short script, “Vertices.” Welcome, Anthony!

Lisa Alward

Lisa Alward is an award-winning fiction writer from Fredericton. Lisa just won the Mrs. Dunster’s fiction prize for her story collection, “Cocktail.” The same collection recently won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award – well done indeed. The book was also longlisted for the 2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. Welcome, Lisa!

Mira Dietz Chiasson

Mira Dietz Chiasson lives in Sackville and writes creative non-fiction, fantasy, fiction, journalism, photography, poetry, short stories. Welcome, Mira!

Liv Mazerolle

Liv Mazerolle is a writer from Moncton who recently placed third in the Douglas Kyle Memorial Prize for Short fiction, for her story, “The Ducks.” She writes Flash/Micro fiction, stories for middle grade, and travel writing. Welcome, Liv!

Cecile Robichaud

Cecile Robichaud writes from Dieppe and enjoys the genres of photography, poetry, songwriting, and spiritual. Bienvenue, Cecile!

Chris Wanamaker

Chris Wanamaker often visits our events and records our readings for 107.3 FM Saint John radio. He writes in the genres of Flash/Micro fiction, Middle Grade, and Travel Writing. Welcome, Chris!

I wish you all a warm, sunny, restful, sand-between-your-toes summer. Remember, writers: “Writing is like driving at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. – EL Doctorow (Hey Beth…did he really say that?)

Best,

Rhonda