Hello Friends and Members 

As I write this, it’s only August 9.  I’m setting up my portion of Inkspot a little early because I’m headed out on vacation. Nothing fancy, just visits to my favourite Maritime communities and natural places. While I’m away, check out what’s on the horizon

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

Summer Retreat Cancelled

The summer retreat we planned for August 23-25, was unfortunately cancelled, as we didn’t fill the necessary spots to provide catering services. But! We secured the Winter retreat date: January 17 - 19, at the Villa Madonna. Refunds to those who had already reserved their spot can be expected next week, when I’m back in the office.

Final Frances Peck Workshop Coming Soon!

September 10, Frances Peck will return to complete her three-workshop series for us with an online informal discussion about publishing called, “From Editor to Author: A Journey in Several Parts.” Come prepared with your questions about the publishing industry, the writing process, marketing - whatever interests you.

For three decades, Frances Peck was a successful behind-the-scenes wordsmith, working on other people’s publications as an editor, ghostwriter, and rewriter. She has also taught over 10,000 people how to get better at editing and writing. Then she decided it was time to return to her youthful passion—writing fiction.

In this webinar, Frances will recount her journey from hidden editor to published author, discuss the delicate dance of creativity and editing, and field questions on writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Check out the event page.

WordsFall 2024

Plans are underway for WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. You can register on the event page now. Rooms have been reserved for us at the Amsterdam Inn (which you can reserve now - $129 for a single and $139 for a double). You have one month to decide, because the fixed cut off date for reserved rooms is September 9.

Our readings and workshops will take place at the AX Gallery, the Amsterdam Inn, The Mule Bar and Grill, and Golden Jubilee Hall. 

We have some great sessions lined up: On Saturday morning, Carlos Anthony will return to teach a class on writing successful Canada Council grants, and there will be other workshops to choose from led by these wonderful Maritime authors: Charlene Carr, Kelly Cooper, Brandon Mitchell, Fawn Parker, and Zev Bagel.

If you write nonfiction, historical fiction, or you’re just a history buff, we hope a guided tour of the Hussars Museum in Sussex will be fun and interesting for you. And as always, if you can’t take in the whole weekend, you can pick and choose what to attend. It will be great to see you at our fall gathering!

NB Book Awards Announces Fifth Award!

If you’ve been following our social media pages, you’ll know that we’ve added a fifth award to the NB Book Awards: The Books for Young Readers Award, generously sponsored by JD Irving Ltd.

Submissions for the calendar year 2024 are now open, so check out the program page on our website to fill out an entry form. We need two copies of your book, please, postmarked by December 1, 2024.

Member News

Andrew Butters releases new novel

Andrew Butters recently released the novel, Known Order Girls. It can be found on Amazon, at Chapters Moncton, and in the Partridge Island Publishing Area 506 Container Village store.

His other books can be found on his website. Andrew spends most of his time interacting with other writers and readers (and posting cat pics) on Facebook. 

Peter Clair is reading at James McConnell Regional Library

Peter Clair is having a reading at the James McConnell Regional Library. Find him at 50 Falmouth Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Sept 7, 2024. The reading will take place from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Peter will be reading new material, and also from his novel, Taapoategl and Pallet.

Hannah State’s novel named finalist in 2024 prize for independent fiction.

Hannah State’s second sci-fi novel, Journey to the Dark Galaxy, was named a finalist in the 2024 Whistler Independent Book Awards in the 'fiction' category. This prestigious national award celebrates excellence in Canadian independent publishing and is sponsored by The Writers' Union of Canada. There were hundreds of entries this year. The book was also named a finalist in the 2023 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (UK). Hannah looks forward to participating in the upcoming Whistler Writers Festival in October. You can find her on facebook.

Welcome New Members

Gary Bernard

Gary lives in Riverview and writes essays and poetry. Welcome, Gary!

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe lives in Fredericton and works in several genres: editing, fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, and short stories. Welcome, Alyssa!

Eoin Fraser

Eoin Fraser is a well-travelled military member living in Fredericton. Eoin has been writing poetry since childhood and is working toward publication. Welcome, Eoin!

Jeffrey Little

Jeffrey Little is a returning member who writes fiction, science fiction, and flash/micro fiction under the pen name J.G. Little. Welcome back, Jeffrey!

Christine Lovelace

Christine Lovelace is a writer from Fredericton, and we’re happy to have her as a new member. Welcome, Christine!

Faith Matchett

Faith Matchett writes nonfiction from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Faith!

Emily Sanford

Emily Sanford is a poet and prose writer whose work has been published widely. She writes in a variety of genres: blogging, corporate writing, creative nonfiction, copywriting, essays, fiction, flash/micro fiction, freelance writing, playwriting, poetry, and short stories. Welcome, Emily!

Nando Speranza

Nando Speranza is a Juno-nominated music producer, musician and former studio owner who lives in Moncton. He writes in the genres of biography, nonfiction and spiritual. Welcome, Nando!

Amber Swan

Amber Swan (pen name A. Swan) is a physician, farmer and writer living Harvey. Amber writes in the genres of children’s, comedy, corporate writing, editing, fiction, playwriting and poetry. Welcome, Amber!

Harold Taylor

Harold Taylor is a nonfiction writer living in Sussex. He is a time management expert and has been writing books and articles on this subject for 50 years, including the Canadian bestseller, Making Time Work for You. Welcome, Harold!

Julie Trites

Julie Trites is a corporate and fiction writer living in Quispamsis. Welcome, Julie!

I hope all of you have also had time to get away this summer. It’s been a wonderful season, and it’s not quite over yet. Remember this sage advice from our own Gerard Collins. “Be unflinchingly truthful. There is no room for kindness in writing. There is only truth.” 

Cheers,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for their support of this year’s professional development programming, including monthly workshops, our two main festivals - WordSpring and WordsFall - and the newest addition to our PD portfolio the WordCraft podcast for writers, by writers.

WordCraft Season 1 is Live!

We have had tremendous response already for the first 3 episodes of WordCraft Season 1. Our first episode with Beth Powning was a beautiful conversation about writing and creativity in New Brunswick, while Leo LaFleur emphasized the importance of supportive people and a wide range of creative pursuits for both his writing and mental health, and Len Falkenstein showed us more about the world of the New Brunswick playwright and the culture of theatre in our province.

If you haven’t yet, please go subscribe and listen to these and the upcoming three episodes featuring Jen McGrath, Terry Armstrong, and Sue Sinclair. Don’t forget to leave a rating. It really helps to share these valuable conversations with other writers and readers.

Submit to InkSpot for Next Month

If you have news about community events, resources, member news, or opportunities - submit them to info@wfnb.ca.

Register for Upcoming Events

Upcoming Online Workshop

Register for the final segment of Frances Peck’s 3-workshop series, to be aired live in September.

WordsFall Festival in Sussex

Register for the whole weekend, or explore the events page to see what workshops you’d like to attend this year, in Sussex.

Community Events

Saint John

Partridge Island Publishing has partnered with CSG Publishing House, OC Publishing, Donovan Street Press, and Merlin Star Press to present Pitch the Publisher.

The Pitch the Publisher event will occur on Saturday, September 21, 2024 (Rain or Shine) from 1 pm – 3 pm in the Area 506 Community Space at 85 Water Street, Saint John, NB.

This no-fee event is open to all authors with completed, ready-to-submit manuscripts. The publishers are looking for completed manuscripts in genre fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and children’s books.

Each participant will have 5 minutes to pitch their story to the publishers, followed by a Question and Answer period. We have space for 12 participants, and if there is additional time at the end, we will accept additional participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, email amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca with a synopsis of your manuscript, including genre, word count, comparable, story outline, and a sample of up to 10 pages of the story.

Each participant will receive an email prior to the event to give them their order in the line-up and the expected time they will present.

Fredericton

Fawn Parker will be hosting the August “Catch-Up” at Bookmark Fredericton. Come on out to Westminster Bookmark in Fredericton from 3-5pm on Sunday, August 18th, when this month’s poetry reading features Thandiwe McCarthy, Jennifer Houle, and our current Fredericton poet laureate Jordan Trethewey!

Fawn will also be teaching a poetry workshop at WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. Looking forward to that!

Community Resources

Sussex and Area Writers’ and Authors’ Group

Inaugural Meeting of the Sussex & Area Writers and Authors group will take place on Wednesday, September 11 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, at the Sussex Regional Library 46 Magnolia Ave. Sussex, NB

Free membership to anyone with an interest in writing, whether published or unpublished. It doesn’t matter if you write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, short verse, epigrams or greeting card ideas or rhymes. No matter your genre or expertise, you are welcome to attend.

Please register by email, giving full name only: sussexwritersgroup@gmail.com

Or you can call 506-432-4585, or drop into the library in person to register.

Various events will be held throughout the year, such as public readings, author book signings, workshops, etc. Show up and have your questions answered.

Writers’ Retreat in Pugwash

Writers' Retreat at Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, October 4 - 6, 2024 with facilitator, Marjorie Simmins.

Please join us for a two-day writers' retreat at Thinkers Lodge in beautiful Pugwash, Nova Scotia! For two days and nights, stay at a National Historic Site on the shores of the spectacular Northumberland Strait. 

Marjorie Simmins is an award-winning writer and the author of four non-fiction titles. She has taught writing workshops across Canada and via Zoom. She is "all about the story," and helping you to find yours.

Bring your ideas for a memoir, your manuscript in progress, your short or long-form creative non-fiction, bring your determination to create beauty with words, and enjoy two full days of quiet and focus. In between those times, you'll meet for mini-workshops, one-on-one discussions with the facilitator, and sharings of collective wisdom. Space is limited to 10. Please book early to secure your seat.

Info: mls@marjoriesimmins.ca

Call for applications

ArtsLink NB's Catapult program

Application deadline: Sun, August 25, 11:59 pm

The Fall 2024 session will be a hybrid of online sessions and in-person meetings in Moncton, NB. The program will run every Saturday from September 7 to December 7.

Over a 12-week period, CATAPULT participants receive training in fundamental entrepreneurial skills like business modelling, marketing, branding, financial planning, and exporting. Guest speakers and facilitators for the CATAPULT workshops are drawn both from the business and professional art community.

Participants also receive one-on-one coaching from the program coordinator and formal mentorships from individuals operating at the top of their field. See the CATAPULT website for full details.

Feedback on genre fiction stories and novel excerpts

Sunspot Lit offers feedback on genre fiction stories and novel excerpts. Option to submit up to 5,000 words or up to 12,500 words. Submissions are capped, so submit early online.

The McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests are on now until November 30th. $3750 in cash prizes to be won with one cash prize of $1250 in each category! This year’s judges are Bola Opaleke (Poetry), Lauren Carter (Fiction) and Jenny Heijun Wills (Creative Non-Fiction). Contest fee: $34 (comes with a 1-year subscription to Prairie Fire). For more information on how to enter, please see website for details.

Workers of the Warming World Unite! Poetry Anthology

Deadline: October 31, 2024

Has your job, workplace, industry, or livelihood been affected by changing environmental conditions? We are seeking submissions of poems about work in the age of global warming that are:

• insider poems by working people who are doing or have done the work they write about
• poems about all kinds of work, including the trades, online work, unpaid labour, customer service, care work, medical work and healthcare, migrant and precarious labour, traditional and subsistence labour, agriculture, the gig economy, internships and student labour, and more
• poems by workers from underrepresented groups—especially Indigenous, racialized, migrant, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, Elders and elderly, women, and non-binary workers
• poems written in any style or form. We welcome writing from new or previously unpublished poets

Please submit up to 3 previously unpublished poems to workandclimatepoetry@gmail.com by October 31, 2024. Visit the website for more information including upcoming writing workshops.

Geist is accepting submissions for upcoming issues

Calling all writers and artists, Geist is accepting submissions! They're reading non-fiction, fiction, poetry and comics for our upcoming issues. Deadline is August 26, 2024.

The Fiddlehead's 2024 Fiction Contest is now open for submissions! 

The Fiddlehead invites authors, emerging and established, to send us their best piece of writing by September 2, 2024, to be considered by acclaimed author and judge Zilla Jones. Don't miss your chance to win $2000 and be published in our winter 2025 issue! 

See the full guidelines online.

Submit your Short Story to Tidewater Press

Tidewater Press is inviting submissions for a new short story anthology

Inspired by the Trans Canada Trail, the collection will feature one story from each of the provinces and territories. Not a travelogue, we are looking for original, creative tales, in any genre or style, with the linking theme of place: waterways, trails, roads and communities along the Trans Canada Trail. All authors will receive a standard contributor’s fee for first publication rights only. Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024. Stories (2,000—8,000 words) to  may be sent via the Tidewater Press website, or to info@tidewaterpress.ca

Submit Proposals for Critical and Creative Presentations

Organizers of the tenth Mennonite/s Writing conference invite proposals for critical and creative presentations on any aspect of Mennonite literature, including the 2024 conference theme of "Words at Work and Play."

In keeping with the field's long-standing practice of working across creative and critical boundaries, we invite proposals for scholarly presentations as well as creative and genre-bending work from across and beyond the academy, including: work in any literary genre or medium; audio and visual arts; theatre and film; historical writing; social critique; theological reflection; religious studies; anthropology; community-engaged research; race, ethnicity, and gender studies; ecocriticism; reconciliation and Indigeneity; postcolonial writing; autotheory; ethics; digital humanities; comedy; publishing, printing, & editing; podcasting; translation; and even literary criticism. We especially encourage submissions that will broaden and enrich the field's historical, geographical, methodological, and disciplinary range.

Please send proposals as 250-word abstracts (with short contributor biographies) to mennowritingx@cmu.ca by November 1, 2024. More details will be available soon at the conference webpage.

Prairie Fire Writing Contest

The McNally Robinson Booksellers and Prairie Fire Writing Contests are accepting submissions for three categories:

• The MRB Poetry Contest
  
• The MRB Short Fiction Contest, and
• The MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest

The contest deadline is November 30, 2024, with an entry fee of $34 per entry. Complete guidelines can be found on the Prairie Fire website.

That’s all for this month!

With Rhonda away on vacation and some unexpected family emergencies on my part, I want to thank you for your patience in receiving InkSpot later than usual this month. We’re looking forward to the next month’s programming, and even more exciting plans in the future!

Happy last days of Summer,

Kris

Hello Friends and Members 

Hey writers – how’s your summer going? I must say, the hot weather has put me firmly in my happy place. If you’re not enjoying the heat as much as I am, then I hope you find relief with the cool, rainy days. I dove headfirst into the garden right after WordSpring, and most of my spare hours—outside of work and book sales–have been spent there since. Here’s what’s coming up next:

Upcoming Events and News

WFNB Summer Writers’ Retreat

If you are thinking about signing up for our summer retreat, on August 23-25, now is the time to register! Remember, we need a minimum of 15 participants, and it’s always a good time—a weekend doesn’t seem long enough.

Our summer mentor is the poet Gerald Arthur (Art) Moore. Art is an adventurer, a part-time university lecturer, a high school teacher, and a rugby coach living in Moncton, New Brunswick. Author of the poetry collection Shatter the Glass, Shards of Flame, his work has appeared in Queen’s Quarterly, Vallum, The Antigonish Review, The Nashwaak Review, The Dalhousie Review, Qwerty, Off the Coast, Prairie Fire, Boston Poetry Magazine, Quills, and The Military Review. Moore has led six humanitarian work projects to Haiti since the devastating earthquake there in 2010, and his employment history includes army officer, schoolteacher, and bootlegger. Art's latest poetry collection, Flak Jacket, is now available in bookstores and online.

Frances Peck Workshop Series

If you missed last week’s workshop, Show, Don’t Tell, you’ll have a chance to listen to Frances once more on September 10, when she will complete her workshop series for us with an online informal discussion about publishing called From Editor to Author: A Journey in Several Parts. Come prepared with your questions about the publishing industry, the writing process, marketing—whatever interests you. For three decades, Frances Peck was a successful behind-the-scenes wordsmith, working on other people’s publications as an editor, ghostwriter, and rewriter. She also taught over 10,000 people how to get better at editing and writing. Then she decided it was time to return to her youthful passion—writing fiction. In this webinar, Frances will recount her journey from hidden editor to published author, discuss the delicate dance of creativity and editing, and field questions on writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Look for the event page in early August.

ArtsNB Workshop: Writing Successful Grant Applications

Artsnb is conducting a free workshop for WFNB members on July 25, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, on writing successful artsnb grant applications. The response has been enormous, but you can still sign up at https://wfnb.ca/event-5795260

WordsFall is coming soon!

Plans are underway for WordsFall in Sussex, October 25-27. Save the date and look for the event page in early August. Rooms have been reserved for us at the Amsterdam Inn, and our readings and workshops will take place at the AX Gallery and a couple of other locations in the lovely little town of Sussex. We were last there when Jen McGrath conducted a workshop on writing picture books in November 2022.

We have some great sessions lined up: On Saturday morning, Carlos Anthony will return to teach a class on writing successful Canada Council grants, and there will be other workshops to choose from led by wonderful Maritime authors like Charlene Carr, Kelly Cooper, Brandon Mitchell, Fawn Parker, and Zev Bagel. If you write nonfiction, historical fiction, or you’re just a history buff, we hope a guided tour of the Hussars Museum in Sussex will be fun and interesting for you. And as always, if you can’t take in the whole weekend, you can pick and choose what to attend. It will be great to see you at our fall gathering!

Announcements

A Word about Marketing Scams

Take heed, writers: One of our members reached out to say that she has received several calls from different companies in the past year offering to promote her book, buy certain rights, adapt for the screen, etc. A legitimate company would know that they must contact a publisher to obtain such rights (unless you are self-published). If you are getting similar calls, you can listen to this podcast, which talks about the workings of the scam here: https://amarketingexpert.com/2022/09/22/snake-oil-exists-in-book-publishing-and-marketing/  

And you can read more in an article here: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/pearson-media-group-a-watchdog-advisory/

Member News

Gina Sweet-Ellis published novel, “Petri Johnny.”

Writers of Kingston Peninsula founder and WFNB member Gina Sweet-Ellis recently published a novel on Amazon entitled “Petri Johnny.” You can find Gina on Facebook, under Skinny Dogs Studio. Folks are saying it’s hilarious! https://www.amazon.ca/Petri-Johnny-Gina-Sweet-Ellis-ebook/dp/B0D4G6H85V

Welcome New Members

Noeline Bridge

Noeline Bridge is a Moncton writer and former librarian who is a three-time nonfiction winner in our annual writing competition. Noeline writes in the genres of Creative non-fiction, Fiction, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Spiritual, and Travel Writing. Welcome, Noeline!

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe

Alyssa Leigh Briscoe is a writer from Fredericton who is interested in the genres of editing, fantasy, fiction, romance, science fiction, and short stories. Welcome, Alyssa!

Lar Collicott

Lar Collicott is based in Fredericton and writes Fiction, Horror, Scripts, Suspense, Flash/Micro fiction, Thrillers, and Short stories. Welcome, Lar!

David Ting

David Ting lives in Moncton and writes Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Poetry, Science Fiction, Technical, and Short stories. Welcome, David!

That’s it for me. Enjoy July, writers!

Remember, “Editing is all about doubt. Changing, fixing, chopping. But your horrible first draft—get it out without judgement. Find your inner kindergartner. Live as if all your dreams will come true.” Katherina Vermette

Cheers,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

Acknowledgements of Support

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for their support of this year’s professional development programming, including monthly workshops, our two main festivals - WordSpring and WordsFall - and the newest addition to our PD portfolio the WordCraft podcast for writers, by writers.

WordCraft Wednesdays are Starting Soon!

Our first professional development podcast is ready to launch! Every Wednesday, a new episode will go live on every major podcast platform, and transcripts will be available with show notes here, on the WFNB blog. 

We’ll send a link to each episode on Wednesdays, starting July 24th until the last Wednesday in August. The first episode will feature an interview between our lovely host Jenna Morton and the incomparable Beth Powning. Stay tuned!

New Resources

BIPOC Writers Connect Extended until July 22.

The deadline for BIPOC Writers Connect: Facilitating Mentorship, Creating Community has been extended until July 22, 2024!

BIPOC Writers Connect is a virtual conference for Black, Indigenous, and racialized emerging writers to connect with industry professionals, established authors, and fellow emerging writers — all in one place! Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) and the League of Canadian Poets (LCP).

BIPOC Writers Connect is a free event, with no application fees, but advance application is required. We welcome applications from emerging writers across Canada. Applications are open until July 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm PDT. This year's conference takes place on October 17, 2024 on Zoom.

BIPOC Writers Connect is a free event, but advance application is required. Applications are open until July 22, 2024 at 11:59 pm PDT. Successful applicants will be notified by September 2024.

For more information: writersunion.ca/bipoc-writers-connect.

Upcoming Contests, Submissions, and Grants

The Fiddlehead’s 2024 Fiction Contest is Now Open for Submissions.

The Fiddlehead invites authors, emerging and established, to send us their best piece of writing by September 2, 2024, to be considered by acclaimed author and judge Zilla Jones. Don't miss your chance to win $2000 and be published in our winter 2025 issue! 

See the full guidelines at https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest

Tidewater Press is inviting submissions for a New Short Story Anthology.

Inspired by the Trans Canada Trail, the collection will feature one story from each of the provinces and territories. Not a travelogue, we are looking for original, creative tales, in any genre or style, with the linking theme of place: waterways, trails, roads and communities along the Trans Canada Trail. All authors will receive a standard contributor’s fee for first publication rights only. Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024. Stories (2,000—8,000 words) to  may be sent via the Tidewater Press website, or to info@tidewaterpress.ca

ArtsLink NB is launching an exciting new project!

ArtsLink NB is launching an exciting new project – Root Words: In Search of NB Arts Writing, which is an anthology of writing about the arts in New Brunswick to be published in 2025. This call for pitches is an opportunity for writers at absolutely all career stages and levels of experience. Please read more about the project in the attached document, share widely in your networks, and with anyone you feel would be a good fit to contribute. Read the submission guidelines here: https://artslinknb.com/blog/2024/07/08/root-words-call-for-pitches/

Tenth Mennonite’s Writing Conference Invites Proposals.

Organizers of the tenth Mennonite’s Writing conference invite proposals for critical and creative presentations on any aspect of Mennonite literature, including the 2024 conference theme of "Words at Work and Play."

In keeping with the field's long-standing practice of working across creative and critical boundaries, we invite proposals for scholarly presentations as well as creative and genre-bending work from across and beyond the academy, including: work in any literary genre or medium; audio and visual arts; theatre and film; historical writing; social critique; theological reflection; religious studies; anthropology; community-engaged research; race, ethnicity, and gender studies; ecocriticism; reconciliation and Indigeneity; postcolonial writing; autotheory; ethics; digital humanities; comedy; publishing, printing, & editing; podcasting; translation; and even literary criticism. We especially encourage submissions that will broaden and enrich the field's historical, geographical, methodological, and disciplinary range.

Please send proposals as 250-word abstracts (with short contributor biographies) to mennowritingx@cmu.ca by November 1, 2024. More details will be available soon at the conference webpage: www.cmu.ca/programs/english/mennonites-writing

Community Events

July 21, 2024

Cathy J. Hopkins will be giving a public reading at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container Village
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

Saturday, July 27th

The Greater Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe Book Fair will take place at the Riverview Lions Community Centre.

701 Coverdale Road
Riverview, NB

Free admission! A portion of all proceeds will go to support Read NB.

For more information, go to www.gmrdbookfair.ca 

July 28, 2024

Join Vanessa C. Hawkins - author of A Child to Cry Over, Baloon Riot & Bunker Blitz, and The Curious Case of Simon Todd - at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

July 31, 2024

Join Sheila McPhee at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

August 2, 2024

Join Cathy J. Hopkins, Suzanne Casey, Anne Smith-Nochasack, and Danielle Metcalfe-Chanail at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

August 4, 2024

Join Danielle Metcalfe-Chanail and Cathy J. Hopkins at the Partridge Island Publishing Bookstore.

Area 506 Container VIllage
85 Water Street
Saint John, NB

Submit to Inkspot

If you have news for writers in NB, share it here!

Email us at info@wfnb.ca with the words, “Inkspot Submission” in the subject line. Tell us about the resource, event, or news you’d like us to share as well as a link for more information and any image, logo, or graphic we should attach to your entry. 

That’s all for now! See you next month in Quispamsis.

Kris

Hello Friends and Members 

Overall, WordSpring was a seamless weekend. I’ve been slack about getting the survey out to participants, but I promise to send it out before you forget what you want to say!

We enjoyed lots of great workshops and opportunities to chat and network with other writers. The Empress Theatre in Moncton was a lovely venue for the NB Writing Competition literary soiree. Susan White and Martha Vowles did a great job of keeping the evening humming along. And of course, the NB Book Awards on Saturday night at the Press Club was an exciting, inspiring and fulfilling event, as always. Best wishes to all the talented nominees and winners in our two award ceremonies. I am in awe.

And now, on to the AGM, which took place last evening, June 13 at 7 pm via Zoom. Our registrations are well above quorum, so thank you members, for your quick response to my plaintive cry on Monday. If you are a WFNB member, meeting materials can be found in the forum of our members-only section. Login to the website with your username and password, click Members-Only at the top of the home page, then scroll down the page. The forum is on the right-hand side.

In Memoriam

Gwen Logan Martin

October 31, 1951 - June 6, 2024

Our hearts are heavy to report that we have lost a beloved, longtime member. Gwen Martin passed away on June 6, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. 

Gwen Martin: A Legacy of Courage and Love

Gwen L. Martin was born in England, and lived in three Canadian provinces before moving to the shores of Yoho Lake, near Fredericton. She began her working life as a geologist, adept at revealing the stories buried in stone, then made a living writing and editing for scientists, engineers, politicians, NGOs, artists, and musicians across Canada. She taught writing and editing workshops, authored Our Forest Heritage, a publication for the Province of NB, plus four geology books: Once Upon a Mine, For the Love of Stone (Vols 1 and 2), and Gesner’s Dream, a rollicking good tale of early New Brunswick mining explorations. She won various prizes for her poetry, books and essays, including awards with the Newfoundland Arts and Letters Competition, Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick, and Geist Magazine.

The written word delighted her in all its genres. Gwen held memberships in PWAC, TWUC, EAC, CWC, and WFNS. She joined WFNB in the 1980s, and remained a fervent supporter throughout the ensuing decades, encouraging other writers, participating in the WiSP program, writing grant applications, organizing workshops, and serving a term on the board of directors. When the ED left suddenly in 2014, she stepped into the role for two years, breathing new life into the organization, increasing membership, securing funding, encouraging young writers, developing a new website, and designing the colourful logo and branding that we have today.

But it was the authentic, graceful and courageous woman of immense depth and genuine love, not the accomplishments, that truly drew people to her. Music flowed through Gwen, finding expression not only in melodic harmonies, but in eloquent prose. She will be remembered for her intelligence and sensitivity, her spontaneity and joie de vivre, her wise counsel, keen perception, natural wit, generous spirit, and the myriad ways in which she elevated and encouraged the creativity in others. She peered into the hearts of those she met and mirrored for them the potential she saw buried there. And we loved her for it. —Deborah Carr

A Handful of Comments:

Zev Bagel (former president): “Gwen Martin was a bright surge of energy lighting up our world. I was honoured to be on the WFNB board of directors with Gwen, and then worked more closely with her when I was President, and she became our acting Executive Director. It was a challenging time for the Writers' Federation. We were at a low financial ebb, and our funding was being cut. Gwen kept us going. She straightened us out financially, inspired us with her notes in InkSpot, and steered us through tough decisions. Given our financial straits, it was remarkable that it was the year we launched, with the Fiddlehead, our first NB Book Awards. Gwen helped keep us on course. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Gwen, and those of us who knew and worked with her over the years have lost a wise, fun-loving, sparkly, energetic and inspirational woman. Thank you, Gwen, for living among us.”

Rayanne Brennan (former president): “I will always remember you as a wisp of a woman but a big ball of energy who jumped up at events to play a mean piano, read a brilliant piece of prose or lead a balloon-popping orchestra to celebrate WFNB’s 30th. You brought such passion to everything you did, as a geologist, writer, WFNB administrator, nature enthusiast…there’s so many things that could be said about you but none can adequately describe the extraordinary, one-of-kind person you were. You leave a rich legacy.”

Deborah Carr: “I have no idea how I'll find my way through, but I know because of you--because of what you’ve taught me and so many others—somehow, the way will become clear. May we all hold in our hearts the ferocious beauty and courage and wisdom that was yours, and let it resonate clearly in our own lives, and echo in the way we love.”

Margaret Eaton: “Gwen was truly a beacon of light. I have wonderful memories of her at what I think was the 30th anniversary of WFNB when she orchestrated a directed a great balloon popping event to the William Tell Overture. Only someone with Gwen’s delightful sense of fun and whimsy could have pulled off such an activity. She was an amazing force of light and life - still is.”

Spencer Folkins (former board member): “Gwen was greatly encouraging of young writers in our province. I appreciated her collaboration. Condolences to her friends and loved ones.”

Cathy Fynn (former ED):  “Gwen's passion and fearlessness transformed the people and causes she loved. She saw through flaws and walls to the purity inside and held it up for us to see and believe in. The world will not be the same without her; she left it a better place.”

Carla Gunn: “What an intelligent, sensitive, delightfully humourous woman she was. And also how beautifully her intellect, humour and sensitivity are reflected in her personal essays. The essay I link here is one of my favourites; she writes: "And so it goes. Rumi’s cozy adage – the wound is where the light enters – misses an essential corollary. Wounds are also where the light departs." So insightful and so very true. A most beautiful light has departed.” https://hippocampusmagazine.com/.../the-fragility-of.../

Jane Simpson (former board member and VP): “I do remember her staying over one night when we were hosting some event in Sussex. We sat together at my piano and sang and played back and forth all night. That’s how I’ll remember her. My condolences to her close friends and family.”

Sean Tapley: “She was a positive force in my life, and was the person who encouraged me to start writing. She was making me read Farley Mowatt at just 7 years old (haha). We used to walk through the woods in Yoho together, and she was capable of identifying every bird and rock in the forest. I even travelled with her sometimes while she was interviewing people for Gesner’s Dream. She really shaped me in certain ways. We lost contact not long after her and my grandfather went their separate ways, but I have always had a tremendous amount of love and appreciation for her. I can’t believe she’s gone.”

And a Poem

By Roger Moore

This is my tribute to my friend, Gwen Martin. It is published in The Nature of Art and the Art of Nature. (P. 52)

Gwen Martin

Magnificent the music, Tchaikovsky,

big and booming, balloons blooming,

colored uniforms, gaudy their globules,

our Field-Marshall standing to attention,

surveying the battlefield, her command

post positioned so she can organize

her army’s response. So, here we are, armed

with pins all primed, balloons at the ready.

Here it comes: climax, crescendo, the old

guard preparing that one last charge, Moscow,

behind us, burning, and now … she cries now …

now … pointing to each of one us in turn

and we pin-prick our balloons … now ... now … our

enemies run, Napoleon retreats,

Moscow is saved … glorious music, church

bells ring out in a wondrous finale.

I hope this is a fitting tribute to a great lady in remembrance of a wonderful occasion that demonstrated her strength, creativity, vibrancy, and exceptional skills. I shall miss my very good friend  – Roger Moore

Good memories. Thank you, Gwen.

Upcoming WFNB Events, News, and Requests

Frances Peck online workshop: Show Don’t Tell

July 11, 2024 @ 7 pm AST - Look for the event page next week! 

“Show, don’t tell”—it’s advice writers get all the time. But how exactly do you do it? Rather than tell you all about this key to crackling prose, this workshop shows, through examples and short exercises, how to heed the advice on the page. From balancing narrative passages (that tell) with actions and scenes (that show), to banishing filter words that keep readers at a remove, we’ll explore how “show” techniques make fiction and nonfiction come alive. Bring your work in progress to assess during the exercises if you like.

WFNB Summer Writers’ Retreat

Join writer in residence, Gerald Arthur Moore for a weekend of writing, community, and mentorship. August 23 – 25 - Look for the event page by the end of June.

WordsFall Festival in Sussex, NB

WordsFall will be in Sussex this year, October 25-27 – we will be staying at the Amsterdam Inn. Other locations and our full slate of workshop leaders are to be determined. Stay tuned, but mark the date on your calendar. Look for the event page by the end of July.

Member News

Congratulations, Lisa Alward!

The Writers’ Union of Canada announced today that WFNB member Lisa Alward is the recipient of the $10,000 prize for the 27th annual Danuta Gleed Literary Award, recognizing the best first collection of short fiction by a Canadian author published in 2023 in the English language for Cocktail. Lisa also won the Mrs. Dunster's Fiction Prize this year for this short story collection. You can watch the rest of the TWUC award announcements here.

How's your dialogue?

On June 22nd, WFNB member Shelley Egan is offering an online workshop on how to edit dialogue in fiction through the College of Extended Learning at UNB. Details can be found here, under Writing and Literature.

Input requested:

WFNB member Jerry Iwanus is looking for recommendations re: a book cover designer for his next book. Know a great cover artist? Send the details to jiwanus@syban.net

Book Launch: Sly as a Fox by Wendy L. Koenig

WFNB member Denise McClure, who is facilitator of the writers’ group, EXHALE: Grand Falls, is happy to share with you a photo of a group member, Wendy L. Koenig of Drummond. Wendy is launching her book, Sly As a Fox, the second in her Sylvia series, with the third on its way.

Software Launch: Fablehenge

WFNB member, Dusty Phillips of Smithtown is announcing the launch of Fablehenge.com! This software helps writers manage their outlines, characters, settings, research, and more. Dusty is eager to share it with fellow New Brunswick authors. Key features include a to-do system to keep track of areas of active research, daily word count goals, tagging story elements in scenes, and a huge collection of element templates. Sharing scenes for feedback is coming soon. With a goal to ensure that artificial intelligence supports, rather than replaces, creative writers, the first two AI features to generate outlines and character reference images are already available. The software is available at https://www.fablehenge.com/.

We will feature Dusty’s new venture in an upcoming blog post.

Welcome New Members

Louis Anthony Bryan

Louis won third place in our Jane LeBlanc Screenwriting Competition for his short script, “Vertices.” Welcome, Anthony!

Lisa Alward

Lisa Alward is an award-winning fiction writer from Fredericton. Lisa just won the Mrs. Dunster’s fiction prize for her story collection, “Cocktail.” The same collection recently won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award – well done indeed. The book was also longlisted for the 2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction. Welcome, Lisa!

Mira Dietz Chiasson

Mira Dietz Chiasson lives in Sackville and writes creative non-fiction, fantasy, fiction, journalism, photography, poetry, short stories. Welcome, Mira!

Liv Mazerolle

Liv Mazerolle is a writer from Moncton who recently placed third in the Douglas Kyle Memorial Prize for Short fiction, for her story, “The Ducks.” She writes Flash/Micro fiction, stories for middle grade, and travel writing. Welcome, Liv!

Cecile Robichaud

Cecile Robichaud writes from Dieppe and enjoys the genres of photography, poetry, songwriting, and spiritual. Bienvenue, Cecile!

Chris Wanamaker

Chris Wanamaker often visits our events and records our readings for 107.3 FM Saint John radio. He writes in the genres of Flash/Micro fiction, Middle Grade, and Travel Writing. Welcome, Chris!

I wish you all a warm, sunny, restful, sand-between-your-toes summer. Remember, writers: “Writing is like driving at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. – EL Doctorow (Hey Beth…did he really say that?)

Best,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

Current and Upcoming Program News

The NB Book Awards

Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees of the 9th annual New Brunswick Book Awards! We are so proud to see your work celebrated at the Atlantic Book Awards and beyond. We really do get to celebrate the cream of the canadian literary crop here in New Brunswick. 

NBReads: Celebrating NB writers all year long.

This year, with the partnership of local independent book stores and input from Les Éloizes and the AAAPNB, we’re so pleased to be able to celebrate the shortlist of the NB Book Awards all year.

The program is starting small, with a campaign to encourage book stores to highlight our NB Reads books with posters, book marks, and a link to our NB Reads information page.

We hope to be able to grow this initiative into a more robust public outreach program with public readings, book reviews and maybe even some book club events. For now, we are excited to take this opportunity to showcase the tremendous literary talent to be found, here at home. 

Feel free to download and share the NB Reads Poster.

Thank you for another wonderful WordSpring!

My second year at the WFNB is highlighted by the experience of joining our community to celebrate, learn together, and break out of our writerly solitude for some much needed time together in the outside world.

I particularly loved the experience of running our first consignment member book and WFNB merch table. From the lovely kids at the Literary Soirée who were starstruck to meet the real authors of the books in my “Teeny Tiny Bookshop,” to all of the members popping in during lunch and between classes to see each other’s work or restock their own (we had more than one sold out title!).

We stocked our shop with some lovely canvas tote bags and our hand thrown custom stoneware mugs too. By WordsFall, we hope to include pre-order WFNB T-shirts and more.

Professional Development and Community Events

Don’t forget to submit info about events in your area.

As we wrap up WordSpring, the NB Book Awards and Literary Soirée, and the Annual General Meeting, we don’t have any announcements about upcoming events or workshops in our inboxes.

Please forward information about any events you’d like us to share with the community, and let us know if there are any great professional development opportunities you think others could benefit from attending.

Call for Submissions

Workers of the Warming World Unite! Poetry Anthology

Deadline: July 31, 2024

Has your job, workplace, industry, or livelihood been affected by changing environmental conditions? We are seeking submissions of up to three poems about work in the age of global warming, written by working people about labour they have done themselves. New and previously unpublished poets welcome! Check our website for more information including upcoming writing workshops.

·  Insider poems by working people who are doing or have done the work they write about,

·  Poems about all kinds of work,

·  Poems by workers from underrepresented groups—especially Indigenous, racialized, migrant, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, Elders and elderly, women, and non-binary workers,

·  Poems written in any style or form. We welcome writing from new or previously unpublished poets.

Please submit up to 3 previously unpublished poems to workandclimatepoetry@gmail.com by July 31, 2024. Check our website for more information including upcoming writing workshops. 

Until next month,

Have a lovely beginning of summer! I’m excited about everything that is coming up in the next few months and hope to see lots of you at the retreat in August.

Kris

Hello there, Writers 

We had a wonderful visit with Frances Peck at her workshop on May 8, called “Sentences with Style.” It was useful, practical, and enjoyable. If you missed Frances, we’ll have her back in July to tackle the subject, “Show, don’t Tell,” which is a familiar mantra in our circles, but could use some fleshing out. Then, in September, she’ll present an overview of her experience developing from professor and editor to author, and a Q & A discussion about the publishing biz. Stay tuned!

WordSpring! It’s almost here!

Are you coming? If you haven’t signed up yet, please do soon! Remember that you don’t have to pay for the whole event (even though it will be smashing). There are lots of options to be found on the registration page. We were just checking out the Moncton Press Club today, where we will hold this year’s NB Book Awards. It’s going to be a fun time, so don’t miss it.

The Annual General Meeting will follow WordSpring sometime in June (date to be determined), and this is your second call if you have nominations for the board. The board will request the membership’s vote at the AGM on a minor by-law change. Details to come soon.

Welcome New Members!

DKR Boyd

DKR Boyd is an award-winning author from St. Stephen. He has published more then 25 books for children and is also interested in historical fiction, young adult and ghostwriting. Welcome, David!

Cathy Donaldson

Cathy Donaldson has published features, columns and photography in media outlets ranging from The Boston Globe and CBC Radio to The Halifax Chronicle Herald (SaltWire), The New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal and the Moncton Times & Transcript. She is also a contributor to JourneyWoman.com. Cathy also pens the travel blog Destinations by Donaldson. Welcome back, Cathy!

Jeff Houlahan

Jeff Houlahan is an ecologist and conservation biologist, and teaches and researches in these fields at UNB Saint John.  But he is also an author of fiction and thrillers, having published a half dozen short stories in on-line journals, and also signed a three-book deal with Level Best Books for two crime novels already written, and a third to follow. Welcome, Jeff!

Cathy Sterling

Cathy writes from her home in Moncton. Welcome, Cathy!

Manju Varma

Manju Varma writes stories for children and creative nonfiction from her home in Moncton. Welcome, Manju!

Tristis C. Ward

Tristis C. Ward lives, writes and creates in Fredericton NB. Trained in graphic design, she has written several short pieces for anthologies, a children’s book titled The Storm Fairy, a “graphicless” novel, and plays.  She is interested in a wide variety of genres. Welcome, Tristis!

Community Events and News

“The Geographies of DAR” available to stream.

A visually stunning film on acclaimed author David Adams Richards and his connection to one of Canada’s most overlooked yet breathtaking regions, The Geographies of DAR can be streamed free on nfb.ca, and the National Film Board app.

 "... this portrait is not merely that of a writer with a unique journey, but rather of the infinite potential of our humanity."

FIFA Jury

Contribute to Academic Study on Literary Theory and Archive use.

Alina Ruiz is an archivist at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax NS, and her area of research is in the cross-sectioning of literary theory and archival theory. She is currently researching writers’ use of archives and archival materials for creative writing, and requests that any fiction writer, whatever their preferred genre and whatever stage they are in their careers (published or non-published), would complete an anonymous survey for the following study: 

Study title: Fiction and Archives: Creative Writers as an Archival User Group 

The purpose of this survey is to collect data from authors and creative writers about their experiences interacting with archival material and archival institutions. The goal is to understand if and how creative writers use archives as a source of information or inspiration during the creative process, and to understand any barriers or difficulties writers have when accessing archives. The results of the research will inform archival professionals about potential improvements to services and outreach for non-traditional archives users.    

More information about this study can be found on the information and consent form located on the first page of the survey. 

As a token of appreciation for your participation in this study, you have the option to include your email address in a draw for a $250.00 e-gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Deadline May 26, 2024.

Member News

Hannah State

Author of The Dark Galaxy series and WFNB Member Hannah State, would like to invite you to her book signing at Chapters Fredericton, at the Regent Mall. Hannah will greet you and sign books on Saturday, May 25, from 2 to 4 pm.

I would stay and chat longer, but there’s SO. MUCH. TO. DO.

See you soon,

Rhonda

Program Newsletter

WordCraft Updates

WordCraft Podcast Launch Coming Soon!

We’re very excited to be able to soon share our first season of the WFNB professional development podcast, WordCraft. All interviews have been completed, artwork is ready to go, and final production work is underway! Stay tuned for episode dates! I can’t wait to share these conversations with all of you. You’ll hear valuable advice, insight, and inspiration from these successful NB writers:

• Beth Powning
  
• Leo LaFleur
  
• Len Falkenstein
  
• Jennifer McGrath
  
• Terry Armstrong
  
• Sue Sinclair

Community Events

Fredericton

The Fredericton Senior Center Spring Showcase opens on May 22nd. The Writing Well class, taught by WFNB member Heather Browne, will be there to showcase their work. A few of Heather’s students are also members of WFNB

Upcoming Contests, Submissions, and Grants

RBC Pen Canada, New Voices Award

The deadline for submissions for the 2024 RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award is fast approaching on Sunday, May 19th, APRIL 14 TO JUNE 16, 2024

The annual award aims to encourage new writing and to provide a space where unpublished writers can submit short stories, creative nonfiction, journalism, and poetry. The winning entry will receive a $3,000 cash prize and mentorship from a celebrated Canadian author.

The Prairie Journal of Canadian Literature

Seeking previously unpublished poetry, short fiction, plays, creative non-fiction, literary essays, reviews, interviews. We also are interested in high-contrast black & white line drawings for original cover art. Check out our past covers and longer-form writing online. Guidelines are available on our website: The Prairie Journal of Canadian Literature

Uncharted Magazine Cinematic Short Story Contest

Writers are invited to submit to the Uncharted Magazine Cinematic Short Story Contest from April 14 to June 16, 2024. This award is for all of our genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller/Mystery (Horror), Historical Fiction, and Young Adult. Guest Judge Matt Bell will choose three winning stories from our shortlist. We’re excited to offer the first-place winner of this contest $2,000 and publication, while the second- and third-place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively.

Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest

Calling all writers and wordsmiths, Geist is accepting submissions for The 19th Annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest! Deadline: May 20, 2024 at 11:59PM PDT.

Winning entries get cash prizes and publication in Geist, so dig through your drawers and find a postcard that inspires the micro-lit writer in you.

Saint John Artist-in-Residence Program

The City of Saint John invites artists to submit Expressions of Interest to be selected for the 2024 May-September Artist-in-Residence Program.

Community engagement remains at the heart of this program, which is open to artists practicing in all media including but not limited to:

• visual (painting, sculpture),
  
• literary (poetry, collective works),
  
• performance (dance, music, opera, theatre, musical theatre),
  
• new media (film, television, radio, audio, video, animation, digital), or
  
• multidisciplinary and the intersectionality therein.
  

Please note this is not a live-in residency. Artists must reside within the City of Saint John to be considered for this program.

Deadline for applications is Wednesday May 15th 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

For more information or to apply, please visit the online application.

Call for nominations for the 11th Parliamentary Poet Laureate

Professional Services, Workshops, and Retreats

Go and Write! Upcoming Writing Retreat Schedule

For writers who are interested in focused writing retreats here in New Brunswick or overseas, Go and Write! retreats, hosted by Newfoundland native Gerard Collins and Janie Simpson, professional authors living in New Brunswick are a thoughtful blend of dedicated writing time, group writing sessions, one-on-one meetings to discuss your writing, and some touring. Gerard, a mentor and educator with 30+ years of experience, also provides written feedback on a piece of writing that each participant provides in advance of the retreat.

Below are the details of our 2024 retreats. Visit www.goandwrite.ca for more information, or reach out directly to janiegoandwrite@gmail.com to set up a Zoom meeting to discuss.

May 4-11, 2024 Spring retreat to Kingsbrae, St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB (full)

Jul 7-14, 2024 Summer Writing in St. Martins, NB (full)

Sep 13-27, 2024 Into the West of Ireland (one space left)

Oct 23-30, 2024 Autumn retreat to Kingsbrae, St. Andrews by-the-Sea, NB (two spaces left)

Nov 24-Dec 5, 2024 Retreat to the Highlands, Scotland (three spaces left)

Dec 12-19, 2024 Christmastime in the Cotswolds, England (one space left)

Go and Write! participants include emerging and established writers of all genres: poets, dramatists, novelists, children’s authors, memoirists, journal writers, and more as well as their friends, family and spouses.

As we continue to gear up for this year’s festival season, keep your eyes and ears open for updates and announcements. It’s going to be an amazing summer for writers in New Brunswick!

Hope to see many of you in person soon!

Kris

Dear Writers

Hello, Members and Friends. April 8 was a mild and clear day, and I enjoyed a drive north to Rogersville with friends to take part in this momentous—and communal—viewing of this once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse. I was excited that, unlike other parts of the country, there were no cloudy skies to obscure the celestial show. The event has punctuated the seasons for me, a period to end the sentence of winter. I feel sure, as I write this on another mild, sunny day, that the reliable warmth of spring cannot be far away. (Apologies that I seem to lead every Inkspot with a comment about the current weather. I’ll do better next time.)

We regret to announce that one of our newest board members, Dianne Churchill, died suddenly and unexpectedly last week. Dianne was a lawyer who practiced law through the offices of Grew MacDonald in Riverview and joined the WFNB board last year at the invitation of our program director, Kris Windley, who was a longtime friend. A musician who was active in many community projects and non-profit organizations, Dianne is survived by her husband, Caleb MacDonald, her two brothers, Phil and Peter Churchill, and a loving extended family. She was an active member of the community and will be missed deeply by many. On behalf of the board, we extend our deepest sympathies to Dianne's family. A go fund me page has been set up to offset the costs arising from Dianne's untimely death.

WordSpring is just around the corner. If you need to stay at the Rodd Moncton Inn, you only have until May 2 to make your reservations at the group rate. And remember that if you can’t take part in the whole weekend, you can just come for Saturday, or just pay per workshop.

Thank you for your participation in the NB Writing Competition. We had an increased number of submissions, and adjudication is now underway. I expect the results from the judges by mid-May. The shortlist for the 2023-24 NB Book Awards has also been announced. Look for posts on social media featuring the shortlisted authors as we creep closer to June 1, when the winners will be announced! Both the literary soiree for the NB Writing Competition, and the NB Book Awards Gala are free and open to the public. Even if you don’t register for WordSpring, you are welcome to attend these reading and award ceremonies – and bring a friend!

Finally, The Annual General Meeting is coming up soon as well. The AGM is an online event that occurs in early June, following WordSpring. If you know someone who you’d like to nominate for the board, please contact info@wfnb.ca. We will forward you a nomination form. Please fill it out and send back, and we will pass it along to the nominating committee. As our bylaws stipulate:

“Nominations of members of the Board may be made by any member of the Federation for consideration of the Nomination Committee up to two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the Annual General Meeting. Nominations will not ordinarily be accepted from the floor of the Annual General Meeting.”

Welcome New Members!

We have twelve new members this month, and we are so happy to welcome you all. Please take a moment to read a little more about our new members. We have new poets, memoire writers, short-story writers, former Book Award winners and more - coming from all over New Brunswick and beyond.

Julia Bannister

Julia Bannister writes Creative non-fiction, Scriptwriting, Technical, and Short stories from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Julia!

Caitlin Carpenter

Caitlin Carpenter is a writer in Waterloo, Ontario who focuses on a wide variety of genres: Corporate writing, Fiction, Journalism, Scriptwriting, Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult, Flash/Micro fiction, Copywriting, Freelance writing, Middle Grade, Thrillers, and Short stories. Welcome, Caitlin!

Peter J. Clair 

Peter J. Clair is a 2017 New Brunswick Book Award winner ((Taapoategl & Pallet, Chapel Street Editions) and writes Fiction, Flash/Micro fiction from his home in Perth-Andover. Welcome, Peter!

Jenna Clarke

Jenna Clarke is interested in the genres of Fiction, Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Freelance writing, Mystery, and Thrillers, and writes from her home in Edmunston. Welcome, Jenna!

Louise Collette

Louise Collette writes from her home in Moncton. Welcome, Louise!

Shelley Egan

Shelley Egan (eganediting.com) taught English to adult speakers of other languages and was a parliamentary editor. She now edits full time from her home in Fredericton. She also writes Creative non-fiction, Editing, Fiction, Flash/Micro fiction. Welcome, Shelley!

Alice Finnamore

Alice Finnamore (dreambringer.com) comes to us from Scotch Settlement, York County. Her areas of focus are Blogging, Creative non-fiction, Poetry, and Spiritual. Welcome, Alice!

Barb Parker  

Barb Parker has published two memoirs ((Find "Headache to Heartache" and "The Choice My Path My Destiny" on Facebook) and is working on a third book. Besides memoir, Barb works in the genre of Non-Fiction, Flash/Micro fiction, Middle Grade from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Barb!

Celine Parlee

Celine Parlee (pen name Céline Savoie) writes Biography, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Suspense, Flash/Micro fiction, Middle Grade from her home in Fredericton. Welcome, Celine!

Tricia Snell

Tricia Snell (http://www.triciasnell.com/) recently published a poetry chapbook, “Rooted” (Little Books Collective, 2023, and recently completed a novel manuscript, which she is shopping around to publishers. Besides poetry, she has published short fiction, fiction on the radio, and nonfiction reviews. She lives in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, where she is interested in a wide variety of genres. Welcome, Tricia!

Jake Swan

Jake Swan is a novelist who comes to us from Quispamsis, and writes in the genres of Fiction, Science Fiction, Scriptwriting, and Speculative Fiction. Welcome, Jake!

Diana G. Tingley

Diana G. Tingley is a Monctonian who writes Poetry, Flash/Micro fiction, and Middle Grade. Welcome, Diana!

Community Events and Announcements

Frye Festival in Moncton is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

And it’s just a few days away! The festival runs from 19 April 2024, 12:00 AM - 28 April 2024, 12:00 AM ADT.

If you are an active member of our community, fill out this form to request a Free Festival Pass. Once you receive your pass, then you can sign up for all ticketed events, except for the literary lunches and the Frye Jam. Check out the schedule at frye.ca

Sell your book at Area 506, with Partridge Island Publishing.

Partridge Island Publishing is accepting authors who want to sell their books in the bookstore at Area 506 on the Saint John waterfront. Any author interested in selling their books through PIP can contact Amanda Evans, the Managing Director of Partridge Island Publishing. Her email is amanda@partridgeislandpublishing.ca.

Their season runs from May 17th - November 4th this year. They also can also book the community area for book launches for any interested authors.

Raymond Fraser’s estate is fulfilling his legacy.

Raymond Fraser was a New Brunswick writer who published 13 novels, three books of non-fiction and eight collections of poetry. Ray’s final novel, Through Sunlight and Shadows, won the Mrs. Dunster’s fiction prize – posthumously – in 2018. One of the last things he did before his death in 2018 was to compile poems for a final collection. His literary executor wanted to help fulfill his legacy by making this collection a reality. The book is now available at Westminster Bookstore and the UNB bookstore in Fredericton, and online through Amazon and Friesen Press.

Member News

WFNB member Cathy Adams just published her third book. It's called "When we walk and talk." Cathy also illustrated this story about a mother penguin and her little one who learns to appreciate the little things around them that they see and find during their walk together. It's available on Amazon.ca and locally in a few stores.

WFNB member Michelle McLean is pleased to announce her upcoming book launch for Tesserae, taking place at the L.P. Fisher Library in Woodstock, N.B. on May 4th, from 2-4.  The poems collected in Tesserae trace the journey of trauma, grief, addiction, and recovery.  The book is being published by Chapel Street Editions.

That’s it for me. Here’s your quote of the month: “Write like it matters, and it will.” Libba Bray

Rhonda

Hi Members and Friends 

As the sun starts to warm up, and the grant deadlines come rushing in, we are busily planning the content of our workshop series for the coming year, and I’m really excited to be able to share it all with you. Even as we are tying up the last of the loose ends for WordSpring, we are starting to see plans for WordsFall taking shape too, while the last of the podcast interviews is about to be finished. 

Lots of things are happening! And it’s pretty exciting to see.

Our hopes for further public outreach programs are coming to fruition too, and I look forward to giving you some more information about that as soon as we can. I’ll say this - we are going to be celebrating the Book Awards short list a lot more in the coming months.

In the meantime, we’ve got lots of professional development events you can check out.

Register for upcoming WFNB Events:

Our next live, hybrid workshop is ready for registrations.

Author/editor Frances Peck will be in Moncton on May 8 to give a professional development workshop on writing sentences that sing. It’ll be a great session. If you can’t make the trip to Moncton, you can tune in via zoom. 

Register here, to save your spot.

Frances will also be reading, speaking and signing her books at the Moncton Public Library on the evening before our workshop (May 7 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm) if you would like to join her.

Frances will conduct two more online workshops in July and September, which will form the first of our professional development “WordCraft” series. She’s a great teacher, so don’t miss the opportunity to take part.

WordSpring is just around the corner.

If you need to stay at the Rodd Moncton Inn, you only have until May 2 to make your reservations at the group rate. And remember that if you can’t take part in the whole weekend, you can just come for Saturday, or just pay per workshop.

Get Involved

Writing Groups

WFNB member Jeremy Cairns advises us of changes to writers’ groups meeting in Saint John:

• Saint John Writers - Every Sunday, 10am-12 @ Second Cup Cafe
• Saint John Voices - Sunday, April 28th, 6:30-8:30pm @ Wasted Day
• Saint John Publishing Forum - Saturday May 11th, 3:30-5, Saint John Library

Saint John Voices features a published writer and a merch table every month where they can sell their books. If any WFNB writers would like to participate, it’s a great way to get in front of a crowd and possibly sell a few copies. All proceeds go to the author. Beyond the featured reader, it’s an open mic where readers get approx. 7 minutes. They have a panel of experts offering feedback to readers if they choose to receive it.

New Resources for Writers

Workshops and Retreats:

WFNB member Peter Von Ziegesar celebrates his third season organizing the Tennants Cove Writers’ Workshop. He is looking for writer applicants from New Brunswick and the rest of the Maritimes. The 2024 TCWW summer session will be held from July 28 through August 3, 2024. All WFNB members get a 20% discount on tuition.

At TCWW, the focus is on the craft of writing, whether you are starting a new manuscript or revising an old one. The retreat is located in a multi-generational farm in Kars, New Brunswick. The eight-bedroom farmhouse sits on a nature preserve of 175 acres with a view of the cove and the wide, slow Saint John River. Bring your bug spray, your guitar, and your sense of humour. We're serious writers who seriously retreat.

Our participants received fresh insights as they met individually or met as a group with screenwriter and novelist Melissa Scholes Young and creative nonfiction writer and memoirist Peter von Ziegesar. In addition to hands-on instruction and quiet times to write, they ate home-cooked meals, hiked in the fields on the 175-acre farm, and swam and kayaked. There were spectacular sunsets and breakthroughs in every area. The inspirational bonding among the writers continues even today.

“My experience at Tennants Cove Writers Workshop was nothing short of transformative,” says Alastair Woods of Toronto. “I had been writing my novel during stolen moments before work, after dinner and between meetings, and suddenly, I had this incredible opportunity to dedicate myself to writing amidst stunning natural beauty and a supportive creative community. I am incredibly grateful to Peter, Melissa and TCWW for the gifts they gave me. I made more progress on my novel in seven days than I had in the previous seven months.”

To apply or learn more, please use this link.

Renowned poet, Margo Wheaton, is offering a poetry writing workshop on Saturday, April 20, at the Halifax Central Library at 1 pm.

Upcoming Contests, Submissions, and Grants

The 2024 CBC Poetry Prize opened on April 1.

Writers can submit an original, unpublished poem or collection of poems up to 600 words in length. The winner will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and have their work published on CBC Books. https://www.cbc.ca/books/literaryprizes/cbc-poetry-prize-1.4090929

PEN Canada is pleased to announce that submissions for the 2024 RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award are now open.

The annual award aims to encourage new writing and to provide a space where unpublished writers can submit short stories, creative nonfiction, journalism, and poetry. A jury of distinguished Canadian writers will judge the shortlisted submissions, and the winning entry will receive a $3,000 CAD cash prize and mentorship from a renowned Canadian author.  The deadline for submissions is midnight on Sunday, May 19th, 2024.https://pencanada.ca/news/now-accepting-submissions-for-the-rbc-pen-canada-2024-new-voices-award/

Geist submissions and the 19th Annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest are now open!

How it works: Send us a story and a postcard—the relationship can be as strong or as tangential as you like, so long as there is a clear connection between the story and the image.

Deadline: May 20, 2024 at 11:59PM PDT.

Winning entries get cash prizes and publication in Geist, so dig through your drawers and find a postcard that inspires the micro-lit writer in you.https://www.geist.com/contests/the-19th-annual-literal-literary-postcard-story-contest

Sunspot Lit’s “Goldilocks Zone” offers authors/artists $500 plus publication.

Sunspot Lit is looking for the perfect combination of craft and appeal in stories, CNF, novel or novella excerpts, artwork, graphic novels, poems, scripts/screenplays. Literary and genre accepted. Closes April 30. Entry fee: $10. Enter through Submittable: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit/280344/goldilocks-zone-2024-500-for-fiction-cnf-poetry-art-or-graphic-novel or Duotrope: https://duotrope.com/listing/34958/goldilocks-zone-contest-authors-artists.

The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba is once again looking for help advertising for our annual poetry and prose contest.

It is free to enter. Cash Prizes. Due date is June 7th 2024. Please check the website for full list of rules and all the details about the contest. 

https://www.icelandicfestival.com/festival-events/contests/poetry-short-story-contest

The 2024 Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize.

The deadline has been extended to April 30th, giving you a little more time to enter the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize!

Awarded for fiction under 2000 words: 1st Prize: 2,000€, 2nd & 3rd Prizes: 1,000€

NEW THIS YEAR:  Increased cash prizes, plus a new residency, and all longlisters will receive one year’s access to the literary consultancy’s “being a writer” platform.

https://desperateliterature.com/prize/

Enjoy the beginnings of Spring, folks! I’ll be seeing you soon, I hope.

Kris