MEMBER NEWS
Congratulations to WFNB member and board secretary Sandra Bunting, who recently received the King Charles III Coronation medal from Senator David Adams Richards for her contribution to NB Culture.
***
Steve C. Eston is happy to announce that his new dark fantasy book, ’Surrender’, is now available. It is the first in the Baneseeker Chronicles, taking place in the same world as his previous book, ’The Conclave’. If you enjoyed ’The Conclave’, you will not want to miss ’Surrender’.
"What if you could defeat evil - but only at the cost of your sanity? Magic and adventure; for fans of Drizzt and the Witcher.”
‘A dark, often gritty, fantasy novella with a strong, female protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!’ - The Wishing Shelf
***
Aimee C. Trafton would like to announce the publication of her latest children's picture book "Be Kind." It will be available on Amazon on Feb. 1.
Haven't you noticed?
Don't you just find
That the bestest of people
Are ones who are KIND?
BE KIND is an easy-to-read, rhyming picture book that teaches young children the most important lesson of all...that life is much better when people are kind.
For more of Aimee's published works, please visit her website at aimeectraftonbooks.com
***
The ICE DASH DOZEN – second anthology collection
In this second anthology of Shediac writers you will enjoy a wide range of literary talent. Several poets, lyrical and narrative; two or three memoirists; one historian; fiction and non-fiction storytellers; and a few who defy classification. The most eclectic collection of wordsmiths you will find anywhere in New Brunswick.
***
Rexwood Rings by Casey Shelly, releasing on April 8th, is the gripping first installment of a two-book dystopian fantasy series. Set in a world teetering on the edge of ruin, the story follows Landon as he grapples with an unthinkable responsibility—one that could either save his people or destroy everything he thought he knew. As buried secrets come to light, Landon must navigate a treacherous path where loyalty, truth, and destiny collide. Packed with high-stakes choices and a richly built world, Rexwood Rings is a must-read for fans of dark, immersive fantasy with a dystopian twist.
***
EVENTS
HAVE YOU APPLIED TO BE LISTED IN THE NEW BRUNSWICK AUTHOR PORTAL? https://www1.gnb.ca/0003/pages/en/nb_index-e.asp
The province of NB maintains a biographical list of NB authors. Have you applied to be on the portal?
***
If you're in the Fredericton area, and have a passion or curiosity for books and stories, come talk writing with Steve C. Eston at the Fredericton Public Library. We'll discuss everything and anything related to writing!
On the agenda:
1. February 6: The Writer’s Toolset - Being a writer and tools available.
2. April 3: The Craft of Writing - The theory, the rules, and when to break them.
3. May 1: Characters and POV - Developing characters, character arcs, and using point of views (POV)
4. June 5: Building the story - Chapters, scenes, beginnings, middles and ends.
5. July 3: A Writing Process - Steps to write a story, from generating ideas to publication, and beyond.
There are limited spaces available -- Register for the first session by emailing BiblioFrederictonLib@gnb.ca, calling 506-460-2812 or visiting the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1313641573218380
***
Sackville Writers’ Open Mic – Check out their upcoming dates in March and April!
RETREATS
SPRING POETRY COLLOQUIUM
Facilitated by Marilyn Dumont
Dates: May 19 – 27, 2025
Location: In Person at St. Peter’s College, Muenster, SK
Application Deadline: March 15, 2025
This is a facilitated, in-person retreat for around eight writers. Instruction occurs within a deep-immersion setting, with plenty of individual writing time and focus will be on individual manuscript consultations and on seminar discussions dealing with technical, philosophical, or conceptual issues in contemporary writing.
Successful applicants generally have some publication record and are working towards completion of a manuscript. Application is open to writers 19 years of age and older from Canada and abroad.
For more information and to apply, visit https://sagehillwriting.ca/writing-retreats/spring-colloquium/.
There are also bursaries and scholarships available for Sage Hill’s programs, with details available here: https://www.sagehillwriting.ca/adults/scholarships-bursaries.
***
Go and Write! Retreats created by writers, for writers
Writing retreats offered by award-winning authors Dr. Gerard Collins and Jane Simpson, from New Brunswick, Canada. Participants include emerging and established writers of all genres.
For more information, visit www.goandwrite.ca or contact janiegoandwrite@gmail.com.
Retreat to Kingsbrae, Spring or Autumn—St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick
[https://goandwrite.ca/st-andrews-by-the-sea-new-brunswick-canada-spring-and-fall-2025/]
May 18-25: Space available
Jun. 4-11: SOLD OUT
Sep. 17-24: Space available
Micro-group retreats (only 5 rooms) in a seaside town on the East Coast of Canada. Private, ensuite bedroom in a gorgeous, historic mansion, your own private writing studio, and the award-winning Kingsbrae Garden at your doorstep.
Retreat to the New World: Newfoundland, August 2025
[https://goandwrite.ca/retreat-to-the-new-world-newfoundland-2025/]
We’re hosting our first ever retreat on the island of Newfoundland, Canada, Gerard’s birthplace! From August 7-23,2025, we’ll see the Tony-award winning musical Come From Away, spend a week in Trinity, attend a prestigious literary festival, fly north to the Viking Trail and L’Anse aux Meadows, and have a good stretch of time in the province’s vibrant capital city of St. John’s, writing all the way.
A Grand Writing Tour of Ireland: October 4-26, 2025
[https://goandwrite.ca/a-grand-writing-tour-of-ireland-autumn-2025/]
Join us from October 4-26, 2025, when we head to Ireland for 23 days—our grandest Old World writing retreat yet. A castle on the West Coast, The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, a week (and a day!) on the Aran Island of Inis Mór, and several nights in Dublin: we’ve incorporated our favourite things about the Emerald Isle into this one magnificent retreat.
Mountains, Lochs, and Lore: Scotland 2025
[https://goandwrite.ca/mountains-lochs-and-lore-scotland-2025/]
Join us from November 23—December 5, 2025, as the ghosts of history and literature gather ’round and we nestle in near the storied shores of Loch Ness and tread the legendary cobbled streets, stairwells, and closes of Edinburgh. For 12 nights and 13 days, we’ll tour tragic battlegrounds, ancient castles, and prehistoric sites, journey through the forest of the Cairngorms and mountains of Glencoe, and spend time in a UNESCO City of Literature, writing as we go.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire: England 2025
[https://goandwrite.ca/chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire-cotswolds-england-2025/]
Once again, we’re taking Go and Write! to England during the Christmas season on an adventure to awaken our creative souls—this time with an extra night and new adventures (chestnuts included!). Join us from December 9-17, 2025, for an intimate, nine-day writing retreat that focuses on writing in the peaceful Cotswolds: a perfect combination that will see us inspired by greatness, surrounded by luxury and ancient history, and reconnecting with our literary selves.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Atlantic Legacy Award
The Atlantic Book Awards Society seeks nominations for the 2025 Atlantic Legacy Award. This award honours individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the development of the literary arts in Atlantic Canada, people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and who have, through innovation, risk-taking, self-sacrifice, and/or creativity, provided opportunity or inspiration (or both) for those sharing Atlantic Canadian stories through writing and publishing.
The recipient might be from the field of publishing, writing, bookselling, or literary arts organizations, but people from all occupations, trades, and walks of life may be nominated—the most important consideration is that the person has made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement and encouragement of Atlantic books and writers. Particular consideration will be given to trailblazers, individuals whose work has had (or will have) a lasting impact. With this in mind, the award can be given posthumously.
If you would like to nominate someone, please send a brief biographical summary of the person, focusing on their contribution to the world of books and authors, and reasons why you feel they would be a worthy recipient of the Atlantic Legacy Award. Also include full contact information for your nominee.
Send submissions to atlanticbookawardsfestival@gmail.com with the subject heading "Legacy Award nomination" by April 15, 2025.
Submissions will be assessed by a committee made of industry professionals from the home province of each of the nominees. The recipient of the Atlantic Legacy Award will be announced at the Atlantic Book Awards gala at Halifax Central Library, Paul O’Regan Hall, on June 5, 2025.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Fieldstone Review is now accepting submissions for its 2025 issue!
This year, we invite writers and artists to explore the theme of COLOUR in all its complexity. Colour is everywhere, and we want to see how you interpret and express it in your work. We welcome original, previously unpublished work by Canadian writers in a wide variety of genres, including poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction/reviews, and visual art. We are also excited to share that this year, we will be offering a $100 cash prize for the best submission. So don’t be shy – send us your best work! We can’t wait to see what colour means to you.
Submission Deadline: April 30th, 2025
Reading Period: May 1st – June 30th, 2025
For more details, please visit The Fieldstone Review.
***
AUTHORS WANTED!
Merlin Star Press is open for submissions from writers in New Brunswick who have a complete manuscript to offer. Check out our submission guidelines at Merlin Star Press: https://www.merlinstarpress.com/
OFFRE D'EMPLOI - COORDINATION DES ÉLOIZES
Mise en contexte
L’Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) est à la recherche d’une personne pour assurer la coordination des Éloizes. La prochaine édition se déroulera du 13 au 16 mai 2026 dans la municipalité régionale de Campbellton.
Depuis sa fondation en 1998, l’événement Éloizes propose une programmation diversifiée qui permet aux artistes professionnel.le.s de la grande Acadie de rayonner non seulement au sein d’une communauté hôtesse qui diffère d’une édition à l’autre, mais également dans toutes les provinces de l’Atlantique ainsi qu’à l’échelle nationale. Cette grande manifestation multidisciplinaire célèbre la création artistique en reconnaissant l’excellence, l’originalité et le dynamisme dans les disciplines suivantes : arts médiatiques, arts visuels, danse, arts du cirque, littérature, musique et théâtre. Les Éloizes soulignent aussi la contribution des individus, des entreprises, des événements et des organismes au développement et au rayonnement des arts en Acadie. La semaine d'activités se conclut en beauté et en prestige par la remise des 12 prix lors de la Soirée des Éloizes, diffusée sur le réseau de Radio-Canada et sur ICI ARTV.
Titre de l’emploi : Coordination des Éloizes
Sommaire du poste : Sous la supervision de la direction générale de l’AAAPNB et productrice des Éloizes, la Coordination des Éloizes est responsable de l’organisation et de la tenue de l’événement.
Statut de l'emploi : Poste régulier à temps plein
Date d'entrée en fonction : le 17 mars 2025
Horaire de travail : 5 jours/semaine, avec certaines périodes de travail les soirs et fins de semaines selon les événements.
Lieu : Moncton, N.-B., et déplacements ponctuels dans la province.
Échelle salariale : 52 000$ à 58 000$ annuel à 35h/semaine, selon la combinaison de formation et d’expérience.
Avantages sociaux et bénéfices : Régime d’assurance médicament et dentaire individuel ou familial, six semaines de congés payés (dont deux durant la période des Fêtes).
Pour soumettre votre candidature :
Veuillez faire parvenir votre curriculum vitae accompagné d’une lettre de motivation au plus tard vendredi le 14 février 2025 à 16h00 à l’adresse suivante :
Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick
À l’attention de Carmen Gibbs, directrice générale au : 140, rue Botsford, bureau 29, Moncton, NB, E1C 4X5 ou par courriel électronique à: carmen.gibbs@aaapnb.ca
Nous remercions toutes les candidates et tous les candidats pour leur intérêt. Nous ne contacterons que les personnes sélectionnées pour une entrevue.
Note : Pour satisfaire aux conditions d’admissibilité, la candidate ou le candidat doit remplir un des critères suivants : être citoyenne ou citoyen canadien, avoir le statut de résidente ou de résident permanent OU posséder un permis de travail canadien valide. L’AAAPNB est un employeur ouvert à la diversité qui souscrit aux principes d’équité et d’égalité en matière d’emploi.
Liens utiles : www.aaapnb.ca - www.leseloizes.ca - www.facebook.com/leseloizes
