Competition Aims for more Young Writers
It’s that time again. WFNB is hosting its annual writing competition, and this year we are offering extra incentive for young writers in middle and high school to get involved.
As educators, it is important that we encourage, prepare, and provide our youth with the occasion to test their skills in a “real world” environment. For this purpose, we have reached out to New Brunswick’s Department of Education and English teachers across the province to notify them of our WFNB Annual Writing Competition as well as this special offer.
This competition has been in effect since 1985, the same year WFNB was established. Since then numerous members of WFNB and participants of our Writing Competition have gone on to achieve publication, been nationally and internationally recognized, or have otherwise involved themselves in a variety of diverse literary pursuits, in some cases dynamic careers in writing, publishing, and editing. More recently, with the addition of a Young Writers category, we have been exploring ways in which this new demographic might get involved.
To enter our writing competition, one need not necessarily be a member of WFNB. Our writing competition is open to all residents of New Brunswick. The entry fee for our Young Writers’ Category (Sheree Fitch Prize for Teen Writers) is $5 CDN, which includes a one-year membership for youth ages 13-18 years. Having a membership means gaining access to information through our monthly newsletter, which includes information on workshops, readings, and events happening all across New Brunswick as well as being part of a larger network of creative individuals at all levels of developing their skill.
To further incentivize this event, WFNB is collecting donations of books and gift cards to award the school from which we receive the most submissions. WFNB would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous donations of Goose Lane Editions, Atlantic Books Today, The Fiddlehead Literary Journal, The Comic Hunter (Moncton), Value Village (Fredericton), and WFNB member Jim Doyle (Fredericton). With their support, WFNB will be donating an estimated +$200 worth of books to the school from which we receive the most submissions in the Young Writers’ Category. Our goal is to encourage students to be excited about the literary arts in New Brunswick by giving them a venue to express their creative passions. With the help of these donations, WFNB hopes to create a lasting impact on N.B’s youth through literacy.
Donations of books and gifts cards are still being accepted. If you would like to donate, get in touch with myself, Cathy Fynn, or your local Regional Rep, or mail your donation to WFNB’s office.
For educators, WFNB hopes you will consider partnering with us by incorporating our competition as part of your curriculum. For students and parents (or grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.), we hope you will encourage your teachers to promote this competition in the classroom.
The deadline to submit writing is February 28th, 2018. More information on how and what to enter can be found on our website at https://wfnb.ca/competitions/submission-rules/ or by searching “Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick” and clicking “About Competition.” Questions can be addressed to our ED Cathy Fynn, or myself.
Many thanks once again for your time and consideration.
Best always,
Spencer Folkins
Regional Representative Coordinator
Member of Board of Directors
Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick
