- Home
- Programs
- Writing Competition
- The Gwen L. Martin Memorial Prize for Nonfiction
The Gwen L. Martin Memorial Prize for Nonfiction
Nonfiction Prose Manuscript
The 2025 Judge: Jon Tattrie
2024 Judge: Shelley Kawaja
|
Winning an award in the WFNB competition has definitely encouraged me to keep writing. Particularly great to read the judge's feedback --- So insightful, and a validation that maybe my hen scratching has some worth after all.--Trent Pomeroy, first place, 2022 "It’s always rewarding to have our words recognized in some way, but for me the real value of submitting to the WFNB competition is that it gives me the motivation to polish and complete a work in progress, and the opportunity to receive feedback if it places. --Deb Carr, second place winner, 2022  On June 6, 2024, the WFNB lost an influential member. Gwen Martin passed away after a long and arduous battle with cancer.She was born in England and lived in three Canadian provinces before moving to Yoho Lake, near Fredericton. She began her working life as a geologist, then made a living writing and editing for scientists, engineers, politicians, NGOs, artists, and musicians across Canada. She taught writing and editing workshops, and won various prizes for her poetry, books and essays. She joined WFNB in the 1980s, and remained a fervent supporter, encouraging many other writers, participating in the WiSP program, writing grant applications, organizing workshops, and serving on the board. When the ED left 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 has become synonymous with the WFNB. Gwen also sponsored the Dawn Watson Memorial Prize for Single Poem on an annual basis. Such was her organizational mindset and dedication to this organization. Since Gwen's passing, founding member Nancy Bauer has assumed sponsorship of the Dawn Watson prize, but the board felt it would only be fitting to rename our Narrative Nonfiction Prize the Gwen L. Martin Memorial Prize for Nonfiction. The prize has since been privately sponsored by Gwen's close friend Deborah Carr and Gwen's partner, Victor Hendricken. |
Jon Tattrie is the author of nine books, including The Hermit of Africville, Peace by Chocolate and the forthcoming I leave a Warrior Behind: The Life and Stories of Charles R. Saunders. He holds a master’s degree in creative nonfiction from the University of King’s College (2020). He lives in Nova Scotia, where he operates the book-birthing business Write Now! with Jon Tattrie.
"Writers' Federation of New Brunswick" is a registered non-profit organization. New Brunswick, Canada.
|
© 2021 Writers' Federation of New Brunswick