Dawn Watson Memorial Prize

Single Poem

        • Single poem by a New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
        • Up to 100 lines
        • First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

        2025 Judge: Anita Lahey

        Anita Lahey’s latest poetry collection, While Supplies Last was published by Véhicule Press in 2023. She’s also co-author, with Pauline Conley, of the 2023 graphic novel-in-verse Fire Monster (Palimpsest Press). Her 2020 memoir, The Last Goldfish: a True Tale of Friendship (Biblioasis), was an Ottawa Book Award finalist. A longtime magazine journalist and occasional ghost writer, Anita also serves as series editor for the Best Canadian Poetry anthology. She is grateful to live with her family in Ottawa on unceded Algonquin, Anishinabek territory.

        2024 Judge: Jeanette Lynes
        Winners

        First Prize: A Crack in the Idyllic – Author, KC Clark, Saint Andrews

        Second Prize: Time Moves Backwards for Herakles in the Dollhouse – Author, Grace Taylor, Fredericton

        Third Prize: Expiration – Author, Melanie Craig-Hansford, Hampton

        Honourable Mention: Red Mug – Author, Jennifer McMullin, Fredericton


        2022 - 2023 Judge: Dr. Sean Wiebe

        Winners

        First Place: Melanie Craig-Hansford (Hampton, NB), My other ride is your Mother

        Second Place: Heather Gunn (Shediac, NB), Cosmopolitan Magazine says I should be Tangled in the Sheets

        Third Place: Melanie Craig-Hansford (Hampton, NB), The Night I Lost Her

        2021 - 2022 Judge: Leigh Faulkner

        Winners

        First Place: Edyn Clowater, The Story Never Told

        Second Place: Shaun Cunningham, Grid Road, Saskatchewan

        Third Place: Shari Andrews, Her Open Mouth

        Honourable Mention: Shari Andrews, Snow on Evergreen

        Honourable Mention: Frederick Mundle, One Sighting


        As a past prize recipient in the categories for the Dawn Watson Memorial Prize (2022) and the Alfred G. Bailey Prize , I encourage all members to enter the annual WFNB Literary Contest. Even though I have had the support of mentors and a writing group through the years, the act of putting words on paper is a solitary one. In the end the discipline required has to come from within. To have my work judged by knowledgeable and accomplished peers has given me much encouragement and validation to continue. As well, it is always a pleasure to receive the judge's helpful critique. Wishing you luck and success in this year's competition!

        Shari Andrews

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