HELLO, MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.
Feeling a bit uncertain these days? Is the current political and economic turmoil making you a little off-kilter? Instead of fretting, I try to write. I use the written word to sort out my thoughts and opinions in a positive way, but I also write creatively – I focus on my imaginary world and people in it. I hope you’re using the written word to carry you through, as well.
And, at the risk of sounding Anne Shirley-ish, I always feel hopeful and optimistic in the spring. The fresh smell in the air and the sound of chirping birds makes me Jubilant. Yes, jubilant. :) (I did promise my husband that I would just relax this summer, instead of launching into ambitious garden projects, but when the snow melts away and I view the back yard, I get this incredible itch in my hands…anyway, here's what's upcoming.
NB Writing Competition 2025
There’s just under 3 weeks left in the 2025 NB Writing Competition – submissions are a little slow this year, so please get ‘em in while you can! Don’t forget to encourage the teen writer in your life (age 13-18) to submit a story or a poem to the Sheree Fitch Prize for Teen Writers. This category is absolutely free. We’re also looking for more short screenplays, so if you’ve ever thought of trying that genre, this is the perfect opportunity. More information on our website at wfnb.ca/Writing-Competition
SEEKING SPONSORS for WORDSPRING and the NB BOOK AWARDS
WordSpring is coming, May 30 to June 1 at the Crowne Plaza, Fredericton. The event page is now open on the website. We are currently looking for event sponsors. Check out the schedule here. If you, or a business you know is interested in sponsoring WordSpring weekend, and/or the New Brunswick Book Awards, please contact us. Also, if you have photographs, or some other contribution to make to our 40th anniversary commemoration, please contact us at info@wfnb.ca
ENJOY the rest of March, writers. The robins will be building another nest under my deck in no time.
Cheers,
Rhonda
WordWorthy:
“All I need is a character, and then I can kind of figure out the rest of it as I go along. I guess other people write big, elaborate outlines, but I don’t really do that.” Thomas Chamberlain
Welcome New Members
Kasane Baxter, a student who writes poetry from Menahkwesk (Saint John) and has two self-published poetry anthologies to date. Welcome, Kasane!
Ellen Christie joins us from Grande-Digue and is interested in the genres of Blogging, Copywriting, Creative non-fiction, Essays, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Photography, and Poetry. Welcome, Ellen!
Robert Doiron is a writer in Saint John who works in the genres of Fiction, Horror, and Science Fiction. Welcome, Robert!
Member News
Who doesn't love a reading? Visit Luke Beirne when he launches his new book, Saints Rest, on Saturday, March 29th at 6 pm, Gallery 78, organized by Westminster Books.
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Heather Browne is pleased to present a spring writing course in Fredericton, NB on writing strong characters. See all the details under Workshops and Retreats.
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Thomas Chamberlain is pleased to announce his first novel, Happenstance (working title) will be published by Galleon Press in October, 2025. Happenstance was awarded Honourable Mention in the 2023 WFNB David Adam Richards Fiction Manuscript category, and after a rigorous editing process, achieved Second Place in 2024.
WFNB was a big part of the process, motivating Thomas to get the manuscript competition-ready. The contacts he made through the organization were pivotal in the journey.
Thanks to all who helped. (Read more about Thomas’s journey our Writers’ Resource Blog!)
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Casey Shelley will read and sign her new novel at a pre-launch party, for Rexwood Rings, on April 5 from 11 am - 2 pm at Indigo East Point, Saint John. No RSVP required!
EVENTS
WRITERS’ OPEN MIC
Sunday, March 16th
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 open to all. Come out and read your poems, short stories, comics, novels, essays, twitter posts, stand-up comedy, etc. Or just come to listen.
A projector will be set up for those with comics or other images or videos they want to share. Just bring your files along on a USB. Accessibility concerns and general questions can be directed to laurawatsonartwork@gmail.com.
OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are now open for Milk Bag magazine’s upcoming issue: SUNBURN. They publish poetry, short fiction, art, and reviews quarterly.
Deadline: April 30th 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Submission Guidelines: https://www.milkbagmagazine.com/submission-guidelines
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Whistler Independent Book Awards 2025
Submissions open until April 30 for these prestigious awards for
fiction, non-fiction and children's books
Is your self-published book one of the best in Canada?
The Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBAs) are recognized as the preeminent juried competition for self-published books in Canada, honouring the best of independent authorship in the country.
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Sunspot Lit's Inception 2025 Contest
Sunspot Lit’s Inception contest offers $100 cash plus publication for the best opening. Authors and artists eligible. All genres accepted. Opens March 1. Closes March 31. Guidelines and entry form here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit/318760/inception-2025-100-for-fiction-cnf-poem-art.
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Sequestrum
Themes: Love, Slipstream & Magical Realism
Deadline is March 15 for two themes: Slipstream and Love! They are after your most ambitious, imaginative writing. Bend fantasy, science fiction, magical realism, and literary writing together. Leave them with a sense of heartache and yearning. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or some combination thereof.
Slipstream submission details are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/themed-submissions-slipstream.
Love submissions are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/themed-submissions-love
General submission guidelines are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/submissions.
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The third annual EAC Charles Moore Poetry Prize Competition is open for submissions!
Judged by notable area poets in Maine, USA, the contest aims to bring people together through the power of poetry, to help strengthen bonds within our communities, and to provide an outlet to those poets who may lack an arena to share their creative output. Cash prizes will be awarded in youth and adult divisions. A anthology of submissions, published by EAC and Sea Smoke Press, will include poems in both the adult and youth divisions.
A celebratory 'winners reveal', reading and gala reception will be held at the EAC, August 16, 2025, at 6 pm.
Learn more at eastportartscenter.org/poetry-contest
WORKSHOPS, RETREATS and MENTORSHIP
@audible_ca is inviting emerging First Nations, Inuit and / or Métis writers to apply for the Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle 2025. The program begins this summer, apply by April 21 here: audible.ca/ep/IWC#AudibleWritersCircle
How to tag Audible:
● Facebook (English): @AudibleCanada
● Facebook (French): @AudibleCAFR
● Twitter: @audible_ca
● Instagram: @audible_ca
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Have you wondered how to best develop strong characters in your writing? If so, Heather Browne's spring writing course may be for you.
Over eight weeks, write with others open to the idea that the character is the story. Explore tried and true practices to develop the complexities of your heroes; then have them step into action. Who knows what may happen? To them? To you? (P.S. Something must take place!)
Craft your story with Heather Browne, local author, and creator of Writing Well, Writing Around the Table©
Open to all adults
- Tuesdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM,
- From March 18, 2025 until May 13, 2025
- Grant-Harvey Conference Room 202, Fredericton
For more information or to register contact Kathryn Baird, at 506-260-0605 or email Kathryn.baird@fredericton.ca.
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2025 Sage Hill Summer Writing Courses:
SUMMER COURSES
Application Deadline: April 22, 2025
Application is open to writers 19 years of age and older from Canada and abroad.
IN-PERSON COURSE
Location: St. Peter’s College, Muenster, SK
Dates: July 2 – 11, 2025
Fiction with Madeleine Thien
ONLINE COURSES
Dates: June 30 – July 9, 2025
Emerging Prose with Joshua Whitehead
Emerging Poetry with Neil Aitken
Nonfiction with Jenna Butler
Poetry with Michael Trussler
Playwriting with Vern Thiessen
For more information and to apply, visit https://sagehillwriting.ca/writing-retreats/.
Scholarships and bursaries are available for the summer programs. For details visit https://www.sagehillwriting.ca/adults/scholarships-bursaries.
