Hello, members and friends.
I apologize for the lateness of the hour. The November bugs and viruses came calling this week, and I am miserable.
“My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox…”
Sick, by Shel Silverstein 1930-1999
Nevertheless, Inkspot is chock full of lots of writing news, and I urge you to read the full newsletter on the website. Also, take a look at our upcoming events and sign up. So far, our workshops with Joe Mahoney and Melissa Addey have been stellar, with plenty of great information for participants to mull over and put into practice. Don’t miss what’s next!
Upcoming Events
Open Mic in Moncton, November 26 – There’s still space. Brush up your best piece, and try it out on the crowd. We are planning another similar event for Miramichi in the New Year.
Online workshops – there’s still room to sign up!
Lee Thompson, The Seven Persistent Troubles that Keep your Manuscript Up at Night, November 27
Chuck Bowie, How and Why to Write a Cozy Mystery, December 6
Heather Browne, You and Your Voice, January 24
Elaine McCluskey, Short Story Love, February 8
Sandra Phinney, a four-part series on Writing Flash Nonfiction, beginning February 7
Wendy Kitts, Bios, Book Blurbs and Back Cover Copy, March 28
If you’re looking for a weekend away to kickstart your writing project, The WFNB Winter Writing Retreat is at Villa Madonna once again, and Heather Browne will be our mentor, February 20 -22, 2026. Quiet, economical and collegial. I look forward to it every year, and I hope to meet some of you there.
I hope you can find something that interests you here, but wherever your writing is taking you these days, I wish you great success.
WordWorthy
In a world of AI, be human. Melissa Addey, November 1, 2025
Welcome New Members
Kimberly Gautreau is an Irish Acadian poet living in Moncton , NB. A passionate patron of the arts and holistic massage therapist, she reflects on beauty through humanity, the sensual, the feminine, and the brave birthing of emotion we embody. Kim writes poetry and is a photographer. Welcome back, Kim!
Marie Andree Hebert (pen name, Emma Lodge) http://www.emmalodgebooks.ca/ Is a author from Southeast NB with a background in psychology. Her novel, Wind Borne, was published in 2025. Marie writes in the genre of fiction. Welcome, Marie!
Tony Hebert (pen name, Tony J. Hebert) http://www.tonyhebert.com/ is a nonfiction writer living in Moncton who has a background in sales in more than a dozen industries. Tony writes in the genres of biography, memoir and nonfiction. Welcome back, Tony!
Nikki Kennedy writes memoir, poetry and spoken word from her home in Moncton. She hopes to inspire others through her unique writing style, and is currently working on her first poetry collection. Welcome, Nikki!
Ell Orion is a writer from Moncton who wishes she were Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Represented by Sam Hiyate at The Rights Factory. Ell writes in the genres of comedy, fiction, horror, romance, science fiction, screenplay and thrillers. Welcome, Ell!
Emma Theriault (http://www.lapcatediting.ca/) is a freelance editor based in Moncton, NB. Building on 20 years of experience writing for government and business, and a lifelong interest in language and story, she launched Lap Cat Editing in fall 2025. While corporate editing is her bread and butter, she loves a good story and welcomes the opportunity to work on fiction or memoir projects. She writes in a wide variety of genres, Biography, Blogging, Children's, Corporate, Creative nonfiction, Editing, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Copywriting, Website copy, Freelance, Middle Grade, and Mystery. Welcome, Emma!
Bev Wells (http://www.bevwellshonestly.com/) writes about the things most people avoid: grief, rage, and what it takes to keep living after everything breaks. Based in Saint John, she’s a trauma speaker and mentor. She has two upcoming books, Grief Made Me Mean and Letters I Never Got to Send, and concentrates on the genres of memoir, nonfiction and screenplay. Welcome, Bev!
Member News
Jim Read, the Sussex, N.B-based writer is excited to report that he’s on the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize longlist, for his poem, Refugee! https://www.cbc.ca/books/literaryprizes/23-writers-from-across-canada-make-2025-cbc-poetry-prize-longlist-9.6956574 Congratulations, Jim!
The winner of the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and have their work published on CBC Books.
The four remaining finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books.
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Jane Tims and her publisher, Merlin Star Press are pleased to announce her latest book, Open to the Skies. Jane is holding a book launch this Saturday, November 15, at Dog Eared Books in Oromocto, from 11 am to 3 pm. Anyone who buys this book at a signing in November will have their name entered in a draw for a blue toy truck, a key element of the book. Hope to see you there!
WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS
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.
Springtime Writing in the Cotswolds
May 8-15, 2026
Small group retreat (only 9 rooms) in the charming village of Broadway, at the Abbots Grange, a 14th century former monastery. We’ll visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and Stonehenge. Our Cotswolds retreats sell out quickly, so reach out if you’re interested.
Retreat to Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
June 7-16, 2026
Join us for a June writing retreat in a timeless fishing town on Nova Scotia’s south shore. We’ll have 10 days in the pristine, UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Town Lunenburg on the East Coast of Canada, surrounded by colourful 18th and 19th century buildings, quaint shops, and the historic waterfront at your fingertips. Come take a sail on the Bluenose II Schooner with us!
Retreat to Kingsbrae—St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick
June 19-26
August 26-September 2
September 4-11
September 23-30
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.
Go and Write! Merry and Bright—Christmastime in the Cotswolds 2026
December 8-16, 2026
Small group retreat (only 9 rooms) in the charming village of Broadway, at the Abbots Grange, a 14th century former monastery. We’ll visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and Bretforton. Our Cotswolds retreats sell out quickly, so reach out if you’re interested.
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Banff Centre
We’re thrilled to share the launch of Banff Centre’s 2026 Literary Arts programs! These residencies bring together writers, journalists, and storytellers from across genres to create, connect, and take their work to the next level.
Here’s what’s coming up:
- Late Spring Writers Residency 2026 — Dedicated time and space for writers of all genres to dive deep into their projects.
- Literary Journalism 2026 — Craft compelling long-form stories that combine rigorous reporting with literary style.
- Summer Writers 2026 — A vibrant residency where emerging and established writers can develop manuscripts and spark new ideas.
- Crime Writing 2026 — Hone your skills in mystery, thriller, and crime fiction with guidance from experienced faculty.
- Computational Writing 2026 — Experiment at the crossroads of literature and technology with digital and algorithmic approaches to text.
- Sports Writing 2026 — Explore the art of storytelling, reportage, and commentary through the lens of sport.
CALLS FOR SUBMISSION
Sequestrum is pleased to announce two new themes: Reprints and Humor. Reprints will spotlight exceptional work from past publications, while Humor invites writing that entertains, surprises, and provokes. Whether revisiting a favorite piece or sharing something fresh, we look forward to reading your finest work.
Reprint submission details are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/theme-reprints.
Humor submissions are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/themed-submissions-humor.
And as always, our general submission guidelines are here: https://www.sequestrum.org/submissions.
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Milk Bag Magazine is extending their submissions call for Issue 1.4: The Long Night
We are launching a contest and extending submissions!!!!!
We recognize that we need some more submissions and that artists may need a better incentive.
The grand prizes will be as follows:
ART: Winner of the Art category will be featured on the cover and win $100. Additionally they will receive a two page spread in the magazine to showcase their work.
Poetry: Winner of the Poetry category will receive $50.
Fiction: Winner of the Fiction category will receive $50.
Deadline has been extended to November 21st @ 11:59 PM
To enter, submit your work through our submission manager for Art, Poetry, or Fiction.
All current submissions will be considered contest entries.
Any contestants whose submissions are not chosen as winners, but whose work is selected to be featured in issue 1.4 will be paid for their work.
EVENTS
WRITERS’ OPEN MIC
Sunday, December 7th
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, songs, short stories, comics, novels, essays, 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. Follow the Writers’ Open Mic on Instagram at @writersopenmic for updates.
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Please join The Fiddlehead in celebrating the virtual launch of Issue 305 (Autumn 2025) on November 19th at 7:00 PM AST! The launch will feature readings from 2025 Creative Nonfiction Contest winner Shelley Pacholok, Will Richter, and A-E Best. The event will take place on Zoom with ASL interpretation provided. The event is free to all. To attend, please register by emailing thefiddlehead@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.
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THE WRITE CUP BOOKSTORE AND CAFÉ EVENTS
Check out their full calendar here: https://thewritecup.ca/events
November 14, 2025 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Devour Book Launch
November 19, 2025 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Seeking Alignment Book Launch
For every woman who has whispered, “There has to be more than this.” You are not alone.
November 22, 2025 – Death Between the Cays by Alexa Bowie book launch.
Alexa Bowie is releasing the 4th book in the Old Manse Mysteries, a fantastic Cozy Mystery.
Join us for a Q&A, author reading, a chance to get a copy of the book, and a lot of fun!
November 26, 2025 - 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm: 18+ Author Readings.
This is an 18+ event scheduled to take place after our regular hours.
November 26, 2025 - 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Book Launch – Merry Clitmas by Amelia Dax.
November 29, 2025 - 6:00 pm - 12:00 am: Novel November Write-In @ The Homeport Inn
To take part in the event authors are asked to register before the event by emailing amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca by November 24, 2025.
November 29, 2025 – Dark Storm by Sue Nelson Buckley book Launch.
November 30, 2025 - 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Saint John Voices
A literary open mic event. Sign-up is at 6:00 pm, and reading starts at 6:30 pm. The event features a range of literary works, including prose, poetry, and plays. Readers have 7 minutes to read their piece. Experts are available to offer feedback upon request.
Anyone can sign up to read, locals and visitors alike.
COMPETITIONS
The RSPB and The Rialto are additionally working with BirdLife International, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. There’s a fantastic range of prizes on offer and prizewinners will be invited to read their poems at an event with Mona Arshi at CCI in summer 2026.
The closing date for entries is midnight on 1st April 2026.
As well as offering poets the chance to win considerable cash prizes and publication of their poems, the competition supports conservation and poetry. We are working in partnership with leading independent UK poetry magazine, The Rialto, as we feel the magazine will be the perfect place to showcase the winning entries.
Prizes
1st PRIZE £1000
2nd PRIZE £500
3rd PRIZE £250
Our judge is celebrated poet, Mona Arshi.
Mona Arshi is a poet, novelist and essayist. Mona trained as a Human rights lawyer. Her debut collection Small Hands won the Forward Prize for best first collection in 2015. Her second collection Dear Big Gods was published in 2019. Her writing has been featured in The Times, The Guardian, Granta, The Yale Review and The Times of India as well as on the London Underground. She was writer in Residence at Cley Marshes, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve, in Norfolk in 2021. Nature Matters was published by Faber in May 2025. Her third collection Mouth was published by Chatto and Windus in July 2025.
The entry fee is £7 for the first poem and £4 for each subsequent poem.
Full details and the facility to enter online can be found on The Rialto website:
https://www.therialto.co.uk/pages/nature-poetry-competition/
