| | | | | | | | | | Your monthly connection to writers, resources, literary events
& opportunities within NB and beyond | | | | | | |
Hello, Members and Friends,
On behalf of the board, executive and staff of the WFNB, I wish you all a creative and successful 2023!
Best, | | | Rhonda Bulmer,
Executive Director
| | | | | | | Kelly Alcorn lives in Rollingdam and writes in a variety of genres: Biography, Children’s, Creative non-fiction, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Scriptwriting, Young Adult. Welcome, Kelly. Marion Ann Berry is from Durham Bridge, and writes in the following genres: Blogging, Creative non-fiction, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Flash/Micro fiction, Freelance writing. Welcome, Marion Ann. Richard Cooper is from Saint John, and writes under the pen name Rand Cooper. He is interested in children's, non-fiction, poetry and speculative fiction. Welcome, Richard! Leanne Guerts is from Grand Bay-Westfield and writes under the pen name of Pip van der Vinne. She is interested in these genres: Editing, Fiction, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Flash/Micro fiction, Website copy. Welcome, Leanne. Gina Grant is a dancer, choreographer and writer based in New Brunswick. She writes in the genres of: Childrens, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult, Flash/Micro fiction. Welcome, Gina. Richard Hutchins lives in Minto and specializes in corporate writing. Welcome, Richard. Bronwen Mosher is from Fredericton and writes under the pen name of PB Mosher. She is interested in many genres: Editing, Fantasy, Fiction, Journalism, Science Writing, Science Fiction, Scriptwriting, Songwriting, Technical, Young Adult, Copywriting, Website copy and Freelance writing. Welcome, Bronwen. Thushara Premarajaran is a brand new member interested in poetry. Welcome, Thushara! with thanks to Lifetime Members Nancy Bauer Ann Brennan Kent Bulmer Rhonda Bulmer
Wayne Curtis Sheree Fitch Jean Frances Cathy Fynn
Ginny Hill M. Travis Lane Gwen Martin M. Anne Mitton
Peter Sawyer Lee D. Thompson Doug Underhill David Adams Richards | | | | | | | LS.C. Eston’s book, Deficiency, was a finalist on Book Choice Awards for Autumn 2022, where it received a 5-star rating. To read the complete review click here. Congratulations, Steve!
Melanie Craig-Hansford will have an illustrated poetry collection published by Chapel Street Editions (Woodstock, NB) called: Tonight We Sleep With The Windows Open, with poems and drawings from Belleisle Bay, Forward by Beth Powning. Congratulations, Melanie!
Jennifer Shelby has been awarded an Artsnb Creation Grant for her novel project "The Fae in the Machine.” Congratulations, Jennifer!
Lee D. Thompson’s satirical novel Apastoral: A Mistopia (Corona\Samizdat Press) recently made the Miramichi Reader’s list of the Top 22 Fiction Titles in 2022. The novel is available through online retailers and at www.coronasamizdat.com. Additionally, Lee’s long story “The Night Nurse” was published in Volume 3 of The Holon Project. (Psst! Scroll down to Services for Writers and read about Lee's upcoming mentoring offer.)
Lois Yerxa’s book of Haiku is for sale at $15 a copy. Lois asks you to send her your address if you wish to receive one. Her email is yerxalois@gmail.com.
Have you published or self-published a book? Won an award?
Are you hosting a book signing or launch event? Share it here! | | | | | | | Sussex
The AX, the Arts and Culture Centre of Sussex Reading Series offers regular readings and literary events. Visit the AX Literary page for more information.
Moncton/Dieppe
The Attic Owl is happy to present a special online Midwinter Reading hosted by award-winning poet Margo Wheaton! This reading's theme is "Fathers & Family" followed by a Q&A with the writers. You are invited to join Margo, Mark Abley, Harold Hoefle, and Kayla Geitzler for an intimate zoom reading. Use the zoom link below to join them on the 25th from the comfort of your own home. Click on the FB link to learn more about the event. You can also find the Zoom link in the event description.
Where: Online Zoom meeting When: January 25th, 8pm AST
FB Link: https://fb.me/e/39cE3PBfR
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87320054007 Creative hibernation is a thing at the Attic Owl Reading Series! The Owl has settled into its midwinter nest until March 2023. However, we are still committed to bringing you events featuring local, Canadian and international authors. Visit our Facebook page to view our video readings featuring amazing writers! The Owl is open to writers of all genres and publishing streams and at all stages of their careers. If you'd like to read, contact Kayla Geitzler at atticowlreadingseries@gmail.com. Saint John Check back next month for more literary events in Saint John!
Fredericton Check back next month for more literary events in Fredericton!
Online Live Canon - For fourteen years Live Canon have been publishing, performing, promoting, celebrating and sharing poetry. Visit the website, check out their Lunchtime Reading Series.
Literary Festivals Check back next month for more literary festival news! | | | | | Writing Courses, Workshops & Retreats | New Brunswick 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 writers of KP are meeting one Sunday only this month on January 22, from 3-5 pm at Carter House.
Visit their Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1181855019105856/?ref=newsfeed
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 Check back next month for more award submissions!
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. 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. Submission call for nonjudgemental book on coping with the loss of a child: Jennifer Harris, member of Canadian Authors-Peterborough, is currently writing a new book which will be called Whisper Their Names. This book deals with the heartbreak of losing your child. After nursing for thirty-five years, Jennifer realized many people have lost a child, but it’s something that is rarely talked about it. This includes loss from situations other than death. Topics to be explored will also include cultural beliefs and the deeper thought of the meaning of life, hints from beyond, and acceptance of faith or lack of. Jennifer is seeking submissions of your stories, what helped and didn’t, and is particularly looking for submissions from those who have lost children through divorce, estrangement, violent death, or addiction. Submissions from moms and dads are equally welcome. For more information, contact Jennifer at jenniferharris8549@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. Partridge Island Publishing is currently open for submissions to their upcoming anthology titled Monsters in the Fog. They are open to submissions of poetry, short stories, and visual art. The word count limit is 7500 words, the story must have something to do with ‘monsters’ (however, writers are encouraged to interpret that theme however they like), and the story needs to be based in Atlantic Canada. Submissions can be emailed to amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca. Deadline is January 31, 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. A call for Canadian black writers producing romance novels — Tanya Lee runs a national book club for at risk teen girls A Room Of Your Own (listen to the CBC radio documentary here). Now, Tanya is launching another book club/program to promote Black romances written in Canada about Black love taking place in Canada. Tanya needs Black writers and those who would like to learn how to write romance novels to start promoting Black love in Canada. Please visit the CBC article for more information. 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 Access Copyright Foundation will begin accepting applications for its next round of Marian Hebb Research Grant funding on December 15, and Professional Development Grants in early February 2023. The Foundation’s Marian Hebb Research Grant program has been an essential resource for those seeking support for important inquiries related to Canadian writing, publishing and visual arts and the Foundation is pleased to be able to facilitate as broad a scope of research as possible for Canada’s creative professionals. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Marian Hebb Research Grants: Applications will begin to be accepted on December 15, 2022. Deadline to apply: February 15, 2023. 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
Appel de candidatures - Résidence d'écriture numérique Hôtel des autrices : Nous recherchons une autrice francophone du Canada pour une résidence virtuelle d’un mois en mai 2023 assortie d’une bourse de 3120$ avec la possibilité d’une seconde résidence de deux semaines à Berlin en septembre 2023. Tous les détails de cet appel se trouvent dans le document mis en pièce jointe de même que sur notre site web. Vous trouverez également le lien vers l’événement Facebook. Si vous avez des questions, vous pouvez m'écrire.
production@productionsrhizome.org. Date limite: vendredi 27 janvier, 16h
Check back next month for more writing residency opportunities!
Poet Laureateships Check back next month for upcoming Poet Laureateship applications!
| | | | | | | 92NY Discovery Poetry Contest Four prizes of $500 USD each and publication in Paris Review Daily are given annually for a group of poems. Winners also receive lodging and travel expenses to give a reading at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Poets who have not yet published a full-length poetry collection are eligible. Submit a manuscript of up to 10 pages, including at least two unpublished poems and two poems that are one page or shorter in length. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $15 USD
Deadline: January 13, 2023 Room Magazine Cover Art Contest A first place prize of $500 CAD + publication on the cover of Room 46.2, a second place prize of $150 CAD + possibility of publication in Room 46.2, and a third place prize of $100 CAD + publication on Room’s website are awarded to a visual or graphic design artist. For one entry, submit up to 3 original images and corresponding artist statement. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $35 CAD
Deadline: January 15, 2023 RBC Brown Wallace Awards for Emerging Writers in Poetry This annual award is given to a writer who has published poetry or prose in a literary magazine or anthology, but has not yet been published in book form and is without a book contract. A grand prize of $10,000 CAD will be awarded to one winner, and 4 finalists will each receive a prize of $2,500 CAD. Visit the website for complete guidelines. No entry fee
Deadline: January 16, 2023 RBC Brown Wallace Awards for Emerging Writers in Short Fiction This annual award is given to a writer who has published poetry or prose in a literary magazine or anthology, but has not yet been published in book form and is without a book contract. A grand prize of $10,000 CAD will be awarded to one winner, and 4 finalists will each receive a prize of $2,500 CAD. Visit the website for complete guidelines. No entry fee
Deadline: January 16, 2023
Jacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction
Winner will receive a prize of $1,500 CAD, and two further prizes of $600 CAD and $400 CAD will be awarded to runner-ups. Submit your 4,000 word story. Free entries to low-income writers. Submissions from writers of colour, writers with disabilities, LGBTQQIA writers, and writers from other intersectional and marginalized groups encouraged. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $35 CAD
Deadline: January 16, 2023 Dreamers Writing Contest: Stories of Migration, Sense of Place and Home
Winning entry will receive $250 USD. Six runner-ups will receive $20 USD and publication. "Dreamers" as a term has come to represent undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children. This contest is intended to honour “Dreamers” as it applies to migration, and our sense of place and home. Submit your story, poem, essay or comic of 15 to 4,000 words on migration and/or your sense of place, of home or lack of, and your empathy to the plight of migrants around the world. You do not need to be a migrant to enter this contest. Visit the website for complete details. Entry fee: $25 CAD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Frontier Poetry 2023 Hurt & Healing Prize The first place winner will receive $3000 USD and publication, second and third place winners will receive $300 USD and $200 USD, respectively. Open to emerging writers with no more than two published full length collections. Send 3 to 5 of your best, previously unpublished poems. Visit the website for complete details. Entry fee: $20 USD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Screw Turn Flash Fiction Contest A prize of $1,000 USD and publication on the Ghost Story website and in the 21st Century Ghost Stories anthology is given twice yearly for a work of flash fiction with a supernatural or magical realism theme. Submit a story of 250 to 1,000 words. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $15 USD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Nicholas Schaffner Award for Music in Literature A prize of $1,000 USD and publication is given annually for a poetry collection, a novel, a story collection, an essay collection, or a memoir that “deals in some way with the subject of music and its influence.” Only works written in English, including translations with the original author’s approval, are eligible. Submit a poetry collection of at least 60 pages, a story collection of 50,000 to 80,000 words, or a novel, memoir, or essay collection of 75,000 to 100,000 words. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $25 USD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Masters Review Short Story Award for New Writers A prize of $3,000 USD and online publication in Masters Review is given twice yearly for a short story by an emerging writer. Writers who have not published a book or who have published a book with a circulation of less than 5,000 are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 6,000 words. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $20 USD Deadline: January 31, 2023
Tupelo Press Dorset Prize A prize of $8,500 USD, publication by Tupelo Press, and 20 author copies is given annually for a poetry collection. The winner also receives the option of either a weeklong residency at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts, or a two-week residency at Gentle House in Port Angeles, Washington, both valued at $1,500 USD. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 88. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $30 USD Deadline: January 31, 2023
Fish Short Memoir Prize A prize of €1,000 and publication in the Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short memoir. The winner is also invited to give a reading at the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2023. Sean Lusk will judge. Submit a hardcopy memoir of up to 4,000 words with an €18 entry fee or €20 for digital online entries. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: €18; €20 Deadline: January 31, 2023
Inlandia Eliud Martinez Prize A prize of $1,000 USD and publication by Inlandia Books will be given annually for a book of fiction or creative nonfiction by a writer who identifies as Hispanic, Latino/a/x, or Chicana/o/x. Only manuscripts written primarily in English will be considered. Using only the online submission system, submit a novel, memoir, essays, stories, and multi-genre or hybrid fiction and nonfiction work between 150 and 300 pages. Fee waivers are available. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $15 USD Deadline: January 31, 2023
swamp pink Writing Prizes Three prizes of $2,000 USD each and publication in swamp pink are given annually for a single poem, a short story, and an essay. Matthew Olzmann will judge in poetry, Jamil Jan Kochai will judge in fiction, and Melissa Faliveno will judge in nonfiction. Works written in English and containing other languages are encouraged. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems or a story or essay of up to 25 pages. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $20 USD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Big Moose Novel Prize A prize of $1,000 USD, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a novel. The contest is open to traditional novels as well as “novels-in-stories, novels-in-poems, and other hybrid forms that contain within them the spirit of a novel.” The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 90 to 1,000 pages. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $27 USD
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Terry J. Cox Poetry Award A prize of $1,000 USD and publication by Regal House Publishing is given annually for a poetry collection. Submit a manuscript of 48 to 100 pages. Visit the website for an entry form and complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $25 USD Deadline: January 31, 2023
Iowa Review Award Three prizes of $1,500 each and publication in Iowa Review are given annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of prose. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines. Entry fee: $20 USD Deadline: January 31, 2023
Frank Rollin Fellowship Two prizes of $5,000 USD each will be given annually to writers “working on a biographical work about an African American figure (or figures) whose story provides a significant contribution to our understanding of the Black experience.” Biographers may be at any stage in the writing process. The winners will also receive publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website, registration to the annual BIO Conference in May, and a one-year BIO membership. Using only the online entry form, submit a project description, statement of need, author bio, and a writing sample of up to 20 pages. Visit the website for complete guidelines. No entry fee
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Gwendolyn MacEwen Poetry Award A prize of $1,500 CAD is awarded to the best suite of poetry by an emerging writer and a second prize of $1,500 CAD is awarded to the best suite of poetry by a writer at any career point. Prizes are sponsored in memory of Ruth and David Lampe. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $35 CAD
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Indigenous Voices Awards Interested and eligible applicants are invited to enter the sixth annual Indigenous Voices Awards. A total of $34,000 CAD in prizes will be given. Two prizes worth $5,000 CAD each will be awarded to established Indigenous authors, one in English and one in French. Other awards of $2000 CAD will also be given. Categories include published/unpublished poetry, published/unpublished prose, published graphic novels, comics, illustrated books in English and French, as well as a published work in an Indigenous language. Visit the website for complete details.
Deadline: February 1, 2023
Malahat Review Long Poem Contest Two winners will receive a prize of $1,250 CAD each. Each entry must be a single poem or cycle of poems that will occupy between 10 and 20 printed pages when published in The Malahat Review. Poems published in the magazine occupy no more than 36 lines per printed page. Collaborative long poems by two authors or more are accepted. Visit the website for complete details.
Entry fee: $35 CAD Deadline: February 1, 2023
Claire Keyes Poetry Award A prize of $1,000 USD and publication in Soundings East is given annually for a group of poems. Naomi Shihab Nye will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page). Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Entry fee: $10 USD
Deadline: February 1, 2023
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 A prize of $65,000 CAD is given annually for a poetry collection by a Canadian poet or an international poet published during the previous year. Finalists receive $10,000 CAD each for their participation in the shortlisted authors event to be held in Toronto. Adam Dickinson, Valzhyna Mort, and Claudia Rankine will judge. Publishers may submit four copies of a book of at least 48 pages. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
No entry fee
Deadline: June 30, 2022; December 31, 2022 | | | | | 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.
Access Copyright Call to Action Answered TORONTO [April 8, 2022] – Government commits to amend Copyright Act so creators can be fairly compensated. On behalf of creators and publishers, Access Copyright is gratified to see the federal government commit in this year’s federal budget to amend the Copyright Act to ensure fair compensation for creators and copyright holders as part of a sustainable educational publishing marketplace. For over a decade, creators and publishers from across Canada have been denied payment when their work is copied in schools outside Quebec, which has brought the industry to its knees. Ten years is an impossibly long time to wait to be paid and our creators and publishers can’t hold on any longer. In recent months, they have been calling on the federal government to take urgent legislative action to ensure that they stand by their promise to protect creators’ livelihoods and amend the Copyright Act. Yesterday’s federal budget is a heartening sign that this call has been heard. Currently, schools and post-secondary institutions outside of Quebec copy over 600 million pages from books, newspapers, and magazines for free each year at the expense of our nation’s creators, publishers, and cultural industries. If creators are not paid when their work is copied, there will be fewer books available in our classrooms and a greater likelihood that Canadian students will learn from materials created outside of Canada. “On behalf of the creators and publishers we represent, we would like to thank Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne for ensuring a commitment to amend Canada’s Copyright Act was included in yesterday’s federal budget,” said Roanie Levy, President & CEO of Access Copyright. “It is absolutely critical that they put forward legislation as soon as possible so that our nation’s creators and publishers can continue to create the stories that offer the world a window into the hearts, minds, and creative excellence of Canadians.” Access Copyright looks forward to working closely with Ministers Rodriguez and Champagne as they work to implement the necessary amendments to our Copyright Act. About Access Copyright: For over 30 years, Access Copyright has facilitated content use for educational and professional purposes. Access Copyright has helped people make customized use of published materials combined with an assurance that the original creators and publishers also benefit, so that they can continue creating new and innovative works. This is vitally important to a strong Canadian culture and to all who rely on quality publications.
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 our WFNB website. | | | | | 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: | | |
