Literary Translation - Bridges Between Books On February 16, 4 to 9 pm, a workshop on literary translation, Bridges between Books, will take place at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Join literary translators Simon Brown and Jo-Anne Elder to learn more about Acadian literature and to experiment with words and forms. Whether you are a language student, enjoy reading books in other languages, or are bilingual or multilingual, this workshop will introduce you to new ways of adapting poetry and fiction to English. Beginners with a reading knowledge of French or another language are welcome, and scholarships are available. Bridges between Books is presented by Word Feast, The Fiddlehead, the Frye Festival, Ancrages and other partners. Registration: $25, includes a light supper. Details are available by email or at https://wordfeast.ca/bridges-between-books/ Participants register in advance at info@wordfeast.ca. FREE SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP for WFNB Members, offered by the NB Film Co-operative!
The NB Film Co-op would like to offer WFNB members a free screenwriting workshop! On March 22, From the Page to the Screen: The Art of Literary Adaptation, will be hosted by Canadian screenwriter, Tony Sekulich, at no charge (the Film Co-op Member rate is free). The workshop is on Zoom from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and whoever registers will get a private Zoom invite the day before it happens. Email info@nbfilmcoop.com to register! Check out the Website Link here: https://www.nbfilmcoop.com/workshops/from-the-page-to-the-screen-the-art-of-literary-adaptation Or visit the members-only section on wfnb.ca for a workshop description. The Tennants Cove Writers' Workshop Announces its 2023 Summer Sessions Tennants Cove Writers is located in a century-old farmhouse on 175 acres of protected woods and fields on the Saint John River in New Brunswick. For the 2023 Summer season, TCWW is doubling the number of weeklong workshops to give more writers an opportunity to work with us and retreat in an inspiring natural setting. They are accepting four to five students for each session. Room and board are included. Travel to the retreat is at one’s own expense. More information from their news release on the WFNB news section. Session 1: July 30-August 4, 2023 (six days, five nights)
Half-day Sessions: August 5, 2023 workshops in screenwriting publishing
Session 2: August 6-August 11, 2023 (six days, five nights)
Abroad & Online Register for Your Personal Odyssey! Since its inception in 1996, the Odyssey Writing Workshops has become one of the most highly respected organizations in the world offering educational programs for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. The program combines the renowned Odyssey lectures by top authors and editors, deep practice, expert feedback, and extensive mentorship. The deadline to apply for “Your Personal Odyssey” is March 13, 2023. More information from their news release on the WFNB news section.
Check back next month for more writing development opportunities from the web, across Canada and across the globe! | | | Writing Groups & Resources | New Brunswick Writing Groups The Sunbury Shores writing group is open to receiving new members. They meet on Zoom every 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of every month. Every 2nd Tuesday the group meets in the morning from 10:00am-11:30am and every 4th Thursday they meet in the evening from 7:00pm-8:30pm. For more information or to join email info@sunburyshores.org or call 506-529-3386.
The AX, the Arts and Culture Centre of Sussex has a writing group that meets monthly in the gallery. For more information, visit the website, come see us at 12 Maple Ave., Sussex, or call (506) 433-8351. The Writing Group Exhale: Grand Falls, meets every 3rd Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Grand Falls Public Library. The next meeting will be held on February 18, 2023. For more information contact Denise McClure at 75deemac@gmail.com, or call 506-473-6125. Because of weather, evening darkness, and temperature, the Writers of the Kingston Peninsula will be holding their meetings (open to public) in a different location for the winter (to be decided), and are changing their meeting day to the fourth Sunday from 3-5 pm. This writing group still aspires to meet at least once a month to support and encourage one another in writing - We use prompts to get the creative juices flowing; sharing is voluntary. Writers come with various skill levels and experience. The name of the group reflects the location only. This is open to residents, mainlanders, and visitors alike. Find us on facebook!
Free Online Writing Resources & Support Unleash Creatives Community Write-ins: Let's write! Hosted by Unleash Creatives, this hour-long event will include a simple writing prompt (all genres welcome), and time to write. This community write-in will be delivered via Zoom. Free & open to everyone.
When: 2nd Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. ET.
Where: A direct link will be emailed 24 hours in advance. RSVP here.
The Odyssey Online Writers' Salon is meant for those who would like to participate in lively discussion about writing. Share insights, discuss struggles, set goals, ask questions, comment on stories or novels you've read, or recommend good books or resources on writing. You can also ask any questions about Odyssey programs you might have.
When: 2nd Wednesday of every month, 8:30-9:30 p.m. AST beginning Sept. 14, 2022 The Creative Penn - New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanna Penn runs a YouTube channel that provides tips on self-publishing, marketing, the business of being a writer and more. Penn and other successful writers draw from their own experiences and life lessons here. Janet Fitch's Writing Wednesday - Innovative Novel Structures with Janet Fitch, author of White Oleander, the Revolution of Marina M. You can find a wealth of craft workshops by Janet Fitch archived on her Facebook Page and on YouTube here. Every Monday at 12pm Dale L. Roberts posts a new video in his Self-Publishing with Dale series. You'll learn how to self publish a book on Kindle and paperback through Amazon KDP. Visit his channel for more details. Visit New Brunswick's incredible The Miramichi Reader for everything from coast to coast author updates, new Canadian literary releases, book reviews, interviews, writing advice, events and more! The (Writing) Workshop Finder website features ongoing workshops, retreats and conferences for writers. Many other resources are available here too.
Live Canon - For fourteen years Live Canon have been publishing, performing, promoting, celebrating and sharing poetry. Our courses run in person and online and engage with established and emerging poets globally. | | | Submission Calls & Writing Markets | Awards Call for Nominations - 2023 NB Scholarly Book Award The Journal of New Brunswick studies is calling for nominations (in English & French) for the 2023 New Brunswick Scholarly Book Award/Le prix du livre académique du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Call for Nominations 2023 New Brunswick Scholarly Book Award
Le prix du livre académique du Nouveau-Brunswick To be eligible for the award, publishers or authors must send four (4) copies of the book being nominated to the Editor of JNBS/RÉNB no later than May 1, 2023. Dr. Michael Boudreau, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, St. Thomas University, 51 Dineen Dr., Fredericton, NB, Canada, E3B 5G3. Once the books are received, the Editor will convene the award committee and oversee its work.
Journals, Zines & Podcasts The Fieldstone Review, the University of Saskatchewan’s online literary journal, is now accepting submissions of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction for its 2023 issue! The theme is “Reversals” and submission guidelines can be found on their website here: https://thefieldstonereview.ca/submit. Deadline is March 1, 2023. OPEN CALL for SUBMISSIONS of ALL-NEW WORKS An Exciting New Anthology from Exile Editions, edited by Lynn Hutchinson Lee and Nina Munteanu. Through the Portal: Stories From a Hopeful Dystopia: A collection of eco-fiction that imagines and celebrates the complexity of relationships and the emotional and physical journey from catastrophe. Dystopias embrace an element of hope through a character’s experience, and can serve as a road map for individual or community endurance, resilience, and triumph. Stories can be literary or speculative, with the environment playing an essential role in the narrative. We welcome visual content in the form of black and white illustrations accompanying a story or prose poem, or as graphic stories. We look forward to reading your work! We want submissions from everyone, emerging through established, including but not limited to LGBTQ2S+, Black, Indigenous, marginalized, under-represented, culturally diverse, and persons who are disabled. Deadline for Submission has moved to: May 31, 2023 https://exilepublishing.submittable.com/submit/ Exclusive Promotional Opportunity for WFNB Members — Mark Dykeman is a writer from Woodstock, NB, who currently publishes a Substack newsletter called How About This described as Notebook nerdery, creativity, reading, writing, and realizing, with a dash of current events and pop culture, cooked in a curious Atlantic Canadian sauce. He invites WFNB members to be interviewed about their work and creative process as a part of his Atlantic Canada Mondays series. He is happy to link back to websites, social media, etc. as a part of the interview.
Mark normally sends a ten-question interview by email and gathers the interviewee's responses the same way. Interested? Contact Mark at markdykeman@gmail.com. The Moderate Review is accepting short stories, poems, nonfiction, paintings, sculptures, 280 character stories (they will be tweeted if selected), music, and spoken word. The divisions between these art forms are arbitrary. Blur them. Newly established online journal The Moderate Review, showcasing both established and emerging literary talents, invites your words and voices to the ongoing creative discussion. Currently accepting submissions on a rolling basis with no deadlines or publishing dates. Submissions should be sent as a word attachment to moderatereview@gmail.com. There are no word limits, guidelines, or restrictions. However, all submissions must be original work and not previously published. Voyage YA seeking submission — Always free. Always open. Always paid. Please read the submission guidelines carefully. Voyage has no restrictions on the kind of fiction they’re looking for. They simply aim to publish good work and provide a space for new and established voices. To get an idea of what they publish, please read the archives. General submissions are open year-round and there is no fee to submit to the general categories. New work is published weekly. Submissions are only accepted via online submission managing system, Submittable. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture, and Social Justice is accepting thematically appropriate submissions of poetry, short fiction, and short creative nonfiction on a rolling basis. Atlantis is a scholarly research journal devoted to critical work in the field of Women's and Gender Studies, incorporating a diversity of feminist, anti-racist, critical identity, intersectional, transnational, and cultural studies and creative work that is in line with the journal’s focus. Creative work should have a clear connection to gender, feminism, anti-racism, social justice, or related topics. Poems must not exceed two pages; short stories and creative nonfiction must not exceed 3,000 words. As an academic journal, we cannot offer payment for accepted work. For more information visit the website.
Elegant Literature, a short fiction magazine focused exclusively on new/unpublished writers is accepting submissions in all genres, from anyone age 13 and up. We pay 10 cents a word and publish stories between 500 - 2000 words. Our contract is favourable to the author and openly available on our website. We don't allow pros to submit in order to focus on aspiring talent. Visit the website for more information. Live Canon - For fourteen years Live Canon have been publishing, performing, promoting, celebrating and sharing poetry. We publish anthologies, debuts and collections. Our ensemble perform poetry at theatres, festivals and events, and record poetry for radio, digital projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. We work with other art forms to create installations, interventions and experiences. We work with young people to create, explore and enjoy poetry.
League of Canadian Poets Poetry News - Subscribe to Poetry Pause for your daily delivery of Canadian poetry! Poetry Pause delivers more than a daily poem; it delivers the chance for folks to pause for poetry. Sign up for Poetry Pause and spare a few minutes each day for words that heal, inspire, and sustain. We’re always accepting submissions! To view submission guidelines, click here.
Publishers & Literary Publications Open call for Indigenous Writers and Creatives to submit to the ONWAACHIGEWIN Anthology edited by Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler and Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith. Onwaachigewin will be a collection of fictional stories by Indigenous writers in many different genres, including art-based works, about what it means to glimpse the future, how foreknowledge and foretelling can serve as warning, protection, or be a matter of survival. From omens, spirit guides, premonitions, migration stories, and the Seven Fires Prophecy, to predictions encoded in wampum, cowrie shells, beads, birch-bark scrolls, petroforms and petroglyphs. Onwaachigewin (an Ojibwe word for prophecy) has often played a powerful role in Indigenous cultures across Turtle Island: prophecies have changed the course of history, at times serving as warning, insight, guidance, solace, or hope – or at times as misdirection through misinterpretation. In Onwaachigewin we are gathering fictional stories about what it means to see the future and be Indigenous, how prophecy weaves through our realities, how it has impacted our histories, and the stories we tell each other and the world. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Deadline to submit is April 1, 2023. Atmosphere Press is a collaborative publisher, currently seeking great manuscripts from diverse (feminist!) voices. This year Atmosphere authors have sold thousands of books across five continents, received featured reviews with Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist, and have even appeared on a giant billboard in Times Square. And they’d love to see what you’ve written! Authors Get Published is an online boutique publishing house located in Toronto, Ontario. They are a full-service publishing house that publishes first-time and seasoned authors on their journey to become published authors, by providing book cover creation, manuscript editing services, formatting, and more. Distributed through Ingram, Authors Get Published work to ensure that each author’s book or books receive maximum visibility online through their website and online platforms where books are sold. If you would like to submit your manuscript for consideration, please email the Editor-in-Chief Christine at Christine@AuthorsGetPublished.com. They reply to every submission within 2 weeks. Visit the website for complete manuscript submission details. James Lorimer & Company is seeking manuscripts for its children’s and teens’ imprint — fiction, non-fiction and graphic novel manuscripts by Canadian creators. The goal of our publishing program is to provide engaging, accessible books for young people that address social-justice and human-rights issues as they uniquely affect Canadian society or individual Canadians. We aim to reflect a diverse range of cultural, regional and socio-economic experiences and issues in the books we publish. Recent publishing success include our collection of LGBTQ+ romances for teens (Real Love series), a non-fiction series on young people who have been wrongfully convicted (Real Justice series), and Indigenous titles, such as the graphic novel If I Go Missing and the young adult novel The Missing. Submissions can be emailed to submissions@lorimer.ca and should include a cover letter, a short biography outlining your past writing experience and qualifications, a plot summary or outline, a chapter-by-chapter outline and 3–4 sample chapters or a complete manuscript. VS. Books was founded by artist Vivek Shraya to create more intergenerational dialogue and support for artists of colour. Each year, Vivek offers a mentorship opportunity and publishing contract for a writer who is Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour. This year VS. Books’ is seeking an unpublished Indigenous writer, Black writer, or a writer of colour, over the age of 50 living in Canada. Find out more about VS. Books and this opportunity here.
Indian Ink Publishing is currently seeking completed literary fiction, trade fiction, and creative non-fiction manuscripts by emerging and established writers. Indian Ink Publishing is focused on bringing diverse narratives in to the homes of our readers. We believe that a rich story lives in every writer and consider it our number one priority to nurture that story from page to press. Storytelling is our passion. We aim to amplify underrepresented voices and capture unique experiences in the fiction and non-fiction books we publish. We are excited by prose that is compelling and innovative, bold and nuanced, that has the ability to transport the reader beyond their own imagination. We aim to publish work that reflects the diversity in Canada's cultural fabric and encourage writers who identify as women, Indigenous, persons of colour, LGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities to submit.
Instagram: @indianinkpublishing; Twitter: @indianinkpub;
Facebook: www.facebook.ca/indianinkpublishing
Canadian Writing Markets The CBC has an extensive list of Canadian Literary Journals for submissions to literary magazines here and Canadian Publishing Houses here.
Quick Brown Fox regularly updates its list of writing markets for poems, short stories and novels. The site is maintained by writing workshop instructor and author Brian Henry and is an invaluable resource for new and seasoned writers. | | | Grants, Residencies & Poet Laureateships | Access Copyright Grants Call for Applications - Access Copyright Foundation Marian Hebb Research Grants. Deadline: February 15, 2023 The Foundation’s Marian Hebb Research Grant program supports inquiry, information gathering and exploration by individuals and organizations relevant to Canadian publishing, writing and visual arts, and toward the realization of a publishable work in progress. If this sounds like work you are currently undertaking, we encourage you to consider applying for an Access Copyright Foundation Marian Hebb Research Grant. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CST. To apply for a grant, please visit the SK Arts Portal. The Foundation’s grants program is administered by SK Arts. Visit the Foundation's website or download its Application Guidelines (please refer to pages 14-19). Professional Development Grants: Applications will begin to be accepted in early February 2023. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2023.
Provincial Grants Artsnb administers eight grant programs. Deadlines vary throughout the year. You can submit your grant applications online. In addition, ArtsNB: - offers Accessibility and Equity programs which provide additional financial support to NB artists who face barriers when applying for grants or in carrying out their proposed activities.
- The Application Assistance program, provides funding to individuals who encounter disability-related barriers to completing an online grant application; and to Indigenous artists facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers with the online application process.
- The Access Support program is designed to provide supplemental funding to grant recipients who require disability-related assistance to carry out their proposed activities. For more information: info@artsnb.ca or 506-444-4445
Federal Grants
Canada Council for the Arts: New and Early Career Artists: The Canada Council for the Arts is making it easier for artists to apply for their first grant—they’ve launched a profile for new and early career artists. It’s part of a two-year pilot project to reach the next wave of artists in Canada and renew support to the arts sector. Artists at the start of their careers—including those who are new to Canada—can apply for Canada Council funding. An artist with a new and early career artist profile is eligible to apply for grants from three Explore and Create components: -
Professional Development for Artists—Project grants to support career advancement activities for artists and artistic groups—including mentorships, internships, apprenticeships, specialized training and workshops. -
Research and Creation—Project grants to support creative research, development and the creation of new works, including residencies. -
Concept to Realization—Project grants to support activities that will result in completed works that are shown to the public—including public presentations, exhibitions, media arts and digital arts production ready for dissemination. To be eligible as a New/Early Career Artist, you must: - have no other approved applicant profiles with the Canada Council
- have not previously received a grant from the Canada Council
- be at least 18 years old
- be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- have some training, experience or accomplishments in one or more of the Council’s recognized fields of practice. Past training could include mentorship, self-study, workshops, etc. Training in an academic institution is not mandatory. The Council recognizes training, experience or accomplishments that took place outside of Canada.
- be committed to the ongoing development of your skills and artistic practice
Create an account on the portal, and then submit a new and early career artist profile. You can only have one of these profiles. Create it and apply with your main field of practice—you can still apply for grants with other fields of practice later on. Make sure your CV matches with the eligibility criteria listed above. We recommend you get started with your profile well ahead of the competition you’re working towards because your profile will need to be validated before you can apply for a grant. More info here. Writing Residencies
Check back next month for more writing residency opportunities!
Poet Laureateships Check back next month for upcoming Poet Laureateship applications!
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You only have a couple more days to enter the Arc Poetry Magazine, Poem Of The Year Contest, which has been extended to February 15. Arc Poetry is a literary journal operating for over 40 years in Ottawa, in the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
https://arcpoetry.ca/2023/01/06/poty-2022-2/ The 2023 Bristol Short Story Prize is open for entries. The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. The closing date for entries is midnight (BST) April 26th, 2023. Twenty stories will be shortlisted and published in Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 16. The winner and 2 runners up will be selected from the shortlist and announced at an awards ceremony in October 2023. First prize is £1,000 (about CAD 1,600), Second prize is £500 (about CAD 800), Third prize is £250 (about CAD 400 ). 17 further prizes of £100 (about CAD 160) will be presented to the remaining shortlisted writers. All shortlisted writers will receive 2 free copies of the anthology. Prizes will be sent to any writer on the shortlist who is unable to attend the awards ceremony. The judging panel is: literary agent, Abi Fellows; writer, editor and creative producer, Heather Marks; writer and independent bookshop manager, Daniel Ross. .Entry fee is £9 (about CAD 15) per story. 250 free online entries are available to those for whom the entry fee is a barrier to submitting to the 2023 Bristol Short Story Prize. The free entries will be offered on a 50 per month basis. One free entry per person. No email request or any other method of application is necessary to use the free entry option. Full details and rules of the 2023 Bristol Short Story Prize are available here. The 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open! Until Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You can submit memoir, biography, humour writing, essay, personal essay travel writing and feature articles. This year, the winner will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have the opportunity to attend a two-week writing residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point, a cultural hub on Toronto Island, and have their work published on CBC Books. Four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books. Submissions are read by a panel of established writers and editors from across the country. The shortlist and winner will be decided by a jury comprised of Eternity Martis, David A. Robertson and Merilyn Simonds. The entry fee is $25, which covers the administrative costs of the CBC Nonfiction Prize. Submissions can be up to 2,000 words, as long as they have not been previously published. There is no minimum word requirement.
Furious Flower Poetry Prize A prize of $1,500 USD and publication in Obsidian, the literary journal of Illinois State University, is given annually for a group of poems. The winner also receives a $500 honorarium to give a reading at James Madison University (either virtually or in person, as public health guidelines allow). Poets who have published no more than one collection of poetry are eligible. Submit three poems exploring Black themes and totaling no more than six pages. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $15 USD
Deadline: February 15, 2023
Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry A prize of $1,000 USD is given annually for a poetry collection published in English during the previous year by a writer who is not a citizen of the United States. Poets who are living in the United States as green card holders are among those eligible. Poets whose work appears in translation into English are also eligible. Canisia Lubrin will judge. Publishers may submit an entry form and two copies of a full-length poetry collection published between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $20 USD
Deadline: February 15, 2023 The Writers' Union of Canada Short Prose Competition
The Union’s 20th anniversary Short Prose Competition for Emerging Writers aims to discover, encourage, and promote new writers of short prose in order to provide opportunity and exposure to developing writers. A $2,500 prize is awarded to a Canadian writer for the best piece of unpublished prose of up to 2,500 words in the English language. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $29 CAD
Deadline: February 17, 2023
Minds Shine Bright Confidence Competition
A prize of $1,600 AUD and publication in the Confidence Minds Shine Bright anthology will be given annually for works of poetry or fiction exploring the theme of confidence. Using only the online submission system, submit a single poem of up to 240 lines, a work of flash fiction of up to 1,000 words, or a short story between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $5 AUD Deadline: February 28, 2023 Lorian Hemmingway Short Story Competition
The first-place winner will receive $1,500 USD and publication of their winning story on our competition website. The second and third-place winners will receive $500 USD each. Honorable mentions will also be awarded to entrants whose work demonstrates promise. Lorian Hemmingway, granddaughter of Ernest Hemmingway, will the final judge. Visit website for complete details.
Entry fee: $15 USD
Deadline: March 1, 2023 The Alice Munro Short Story Contest for Emerging Writers
The winning entry will be a Canadian work of up to 2,500 words in the English language, fiction, written by an author not yet published in book format. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Festival with simultaneous social and print media release. Adult contest winners will be awarded prizes of $1,500 CAD and $250 CAD. Youth contest winners will receive a prizes of $500 CAD, and $250 CAD. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: Adult - $25 CAD; Youth - $10 CAD
Opens: January 1, 2023
Deadline: March 15, 2023 The Terry Tempest Williams Prize
A $1,000 USD first place prize awarded to previously unpublished nonfiction on any subject so long as it is well executed. Includes the lyric essay, the hermit crab essay, the braided essay, the memoir, the personal essay, literary journalism, and everything in between. Food essays, travel writing, nature essays, sports writing, and literary criticism will also be considered but should have a personal component. The winning entry, runner-up, and any honorable mentions will be offered publication in the North American Review's fall issue. Visit website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: Unspecified
Deadline: Opens January 1, 2023 until April 1, 2023 | | | Industry News & Organizations |
Canadian Writers Working Harder While Earning Less
– The Writers’ Union of Canada releases results of income survey – Winnipeg – The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) has released today a summary report from its latest income survey of Canadian writers. Devaluing Creators, Endangering Creativity contains the very bad news that writers in Canada are making 27% less from their writing than they were making in 1998 (when last surveyed to this extent). What’s more, a full 45% of those surveyed indicated they are working harder in order to earn that lower amount. The Writers’ Union believes these results represent a cultural emergency for Canada. For 81% of respondents, income from writing would not allow them to live above the poverty line, and the average writer’s income ($12,879) is a full $36,000 below the national average. This despite the fact that writers have invested in post-graduate education in large numbers. “This is not a sustainable situation,” said TWUC Chair Harry Thurston. “If we want a strong and diverse publishing and cultural industry in Canada, it’s essential that creators are reasonably rewarded. Everyone — governments, corporations, institutions, and individual consumers — have a part to play in fairly compensating writers for the content they expect, need and enjoy.” Similar findings have emerged from recent income surveys in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Writers’ incomes are in steep decline across the English-language publishing industry. Changes to contracts and publishing practices (declines in royalty percentages and advances on sales), industry consolidation, as well as worldwide pressure on professional creators to work in a disastrously weakened copyright environment are all likely contributors. “The effect of weaker copyright protection in Canada is clearly indicated,” said TWUC executive director, John Degen. “Writers traditionally cobble together their income from many sources. Copyright royalties are a key part of that income mix, and our survey clearly shows that income slipping away from Canadian writers.” Worse still, Devaluing Creators, Endangering Creativity, shows an embarrassing gender gap in writers’ incomes in Canada, with women writers earning just 55% of the income earned by their male counterparts. The Writers’ Union of Canada believes there are near- and long-term solutions to this emergency. TWUC has proposed tax incentives, strategic investments and regulatory changes to the federal government. Through the International Authors Forum, TWUC is also helping to lead the international discussion on contract best practices for writers. Read the report here. Writing Industry Membership Opportunities ArtsLink NB is the province's member-based arts advocacy organization. Our vision is that the arts are important to all New Brunswickers, and our mandate is to establish a network that connects individual artists and arts organizations locally, regionally and provincially; provide guidance, resources and assistance for artists and their organizations; foster public awareness of arts and culture throughout New Brunswick and promote the value of arts in society; advocate for issues relating to professional artists and the arts community; create a community culture that acknowledges arts professionals and treats them with respect; and facilitate growth, prosperity, and excellence – socially, economically, artistically and culturally. For more info or to join visit the website. All memberships receive the following benefits: - Free forum registration
- Free workshops
- Professional development opportunities
- A vote at the AGM
- Invitations to networking events
- Voluntary access to the arts and entertainment health insurance plan
- A personal portfolio on ArtsLink's website
- Access to our documentation lending library.
Thanks to the wonderfully inclusive and accessible Pay-What-You-Can ArtsLink NB membership, YOU (our members) will decide how much to pay for a membership with us. | The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is pleased to officially launch a new set of membership criteria, expanded to recognize and respect the many ways authors learn and develop their craft, and to reflect the many forms of literary expression practiced by today’s authors. More writers than ever before can access benefits such as funding for readings, professional development events and publications, group health insurance, as well as contract advice and grievance assistance. For many years after its founding in 1973, the Union had one main membership criterion – that the applicant have “a book published by a commercial or academic press.” In 2013, after much research and internal debate, that rule was expanded to include self-published books that demonstrate commercial intent. This past year as part of the Union’s equity initiatives, the criteria was expanded further. Applicants need six points to qualify for membership. A professionally published or self-published book qualifies for all six points, but writers without books can put six points together with other qualifications. Creative writing degrees, magazine and journal publication, co-authorship, and the winning of a juried literary prize can all count toward an applicant’s points total. As well, the points system values other forms of literary expression, such as public readings and spoken word. Contract Advice Before Authors Sign - “What this means for the Union’s work,” added TWUC Executive Director John Degen, “is that we will now be able to offer contract advice to authors before they sign their first book deal. Too many first-time authors enter into agreements they later regret for one reason or another. We look forward to helping up-and-coming authors make better deals for themselves." Full details about joining the Union are available on TWUC’s website. | | | | | | Writing Mentoring /Coaching -
Kayla Geitzler - Creative Writing MA, Poet Laureate (2019-2022), experienced literary project manager and editor offers customized mentoring in poetry, prose and performance, professional writing services, university-level masterclass courses and engaging workshops. Email: kaylagwrites@gmail.com" style="font-family: "Comic Sans";">kaylagwrites@gmail.com or visit kaylagwrites.com -
Moncton writer and editor Lee D. Thompson is offering three 55-hour novel-writing (or creative non-fiction) mentorships in 2023, with a 10% discount to WFNB members. The mentorships include developmental editing and structural guidance and are ideal for works in the early to mid stages of creation. Though the timelines are very flexible, and may be spread over many months, the mentorships are set for February, April and June. Payment plans are available. For full details, contact editor@galleonbooks.ca">editor@galleonbooks.ca -
Shoshanna Wingate, Poet Laureate, MFA, founder of literary journal, Riddle Fence. Experienced writing teacher/coach offers one-on-one mentorship to poets and prose writers at all stages of their career. You can expect gentle and detailed feedback. Short-term or long-term projects welcome. Email: wingateshoshanna@gmail.com">wingateshoshanna@gmail.com -
Sandra Bunting (Burnt Church) is a bilingual writer (poetry, fiction, Irish myths and academic), editor, workshop leader and language teacher. -
Petrina Ferris is a technical writer who offers business documentation and communication services, science/technical editing and writing services. Visit her website for more information. -
Kayla Geitzler (Moncton) offers full editorial services, content writing, book creation, ebooks, and professional documentation services. Creative, business, academic. Visit her website, or email. -
Sarah Henderson (St. Stephen) provides editing and proofreading services for non-fiction, business, and academic writers. -
Lee Thompson (Moncton) provides full editorial services to WFNB writers at reasonable rates. -
Shoshanna Wingate (Sackville) provides full editorial services, including developmental and line editing, query letters, book proposals, and grant applications. Email: wingateshoshanna@gmail.com" style="font-family: "Comic Sans";">wingateshoshanna@gmail.com.
Self-Publishing -
Hellhag Productions (formerly Flying Elk Photography) is located in Saint John. In addition to photography, FEP also designs book covers. If you want a great looking cover for your book, take a look at our website for inspiration and more information. -
jeremy@mcleansnovels.com">Jeremy McLean (Harvey) offers services such as converting manuscripts into ebooks to sell on Amazon and Kobo; and formatting books for print-on-demand outlets such as Createspace and Lightning Source. Other services are listed on his website. Translation -
rosedpre@nbnet.nb.ca">Rose Desprésrosedpre@nbnet.nb.ca"> (Cocagne) provides translation, proofreading and revision in and from French and English. She is a qualified translator with Canada Council for the Arts and artsnb translators, and has wide-ranging experience in diverse writing styles. Post a Short Ad
It's free for members (runs indefinitely) and $30 for non-members (runs for two issues). For members, this service includes posting your ad on the Resources page of wfnb.ca. | | | | | Ongoing Membership Benefits | Group Health Insurance for Writers The Writers’ Coalition Program offers an affordable personal health insurance plan for WFNB members. To obtain a quote, just provide your province and date of birth here.
WFNB Bookstore Club Present your current membership card to receive a 10% discount at the following independent bookstores: Tidewater Books and Blind Forest Books & Novelties in Sackville, Cover to Cover Books in Riverview, and Westminster Books in Fredericton. | | | | | WFNB Regional Representatives | Region Representative Charlotte Country, St. Andrews Vanessa Hawkins Fredericton Jenna Lyn Albert Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview Kayla Geitzler Saint John, Grand Bay-Westfield, Rothesay Martha Vowles Shediac Louise Comtois Sussex Jane Simpson Tantramar, Sackville, Port Elgin, Dorchester Geordie Miller | | | | | | | Many thanks to the following individuals and organizations who have donated to WFNB through buying a lifetime membership, responding to our fundraising drives or providing a project-specific gift or gift card: | | | | | | | | |
