WordSpring is in Saint John, May 29 - May 31, 2026!
If you can't attend for the whole weekend, we have a range of options for you.
Whether you are a student, a member, or a non-member, you can find something to enjoy during this 3 day festival. Remember that the Friday night Literary Soiree celebrating the winners of 2026 NB Writing Competition, as well as the New Brunswick Book Awards on Saturday night are open to the public, and free to attend.
1. Stay for the weekend
This includes all activities from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Twenty rooms are on reserve at The Crowne Plaza in Saint John. There are 15 double - Queen bedrooms and five King bedrooms at a rate of $149 plus tax and service charges. All reservations made under the link below include complimentary breakfast. The reservation deadline is April 30, 2026. See Link Below:
Reservation link
2. Buy a Saturday pass
This includes Robert J. Sawyer's Saturday morning address, lunch, and an afternoon workshop. And please attend the NB Book Awards on Saturday evening at Lily Lake Pavilion!
3. Or, attend a single workshop
You can choose from four writing craft workshops on Saturday, or one of two on Sunday morning.
If you have trouble registering, contact us at 506-974-1476, and we'll assist you.
This year, all events for WordSpring take place in Saint John, hosted by the wonderful staff at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The tenth annual NB Book Awards--which is a free event, and open to the public-- will be held on Saturday evening at Lily Lake Pavilion. Our guest speaker is comedian and author, James Mullinger.
We have a great lineup of workshops for you to enjoy, including the accomplished Robert J. Sawyer, internationally-acclaimed science fiction writer, who will present both a keynote address on Saturday morning, and a Masterclass. His keynote is entitled, Facing the Future: New Horizons in Publishing, What it Means to be a Writer, and the Promise and Peril of AI. Robert's Masterclass will follow his keynote address, entitled, Combing the Intimately Human with the Grandly Cosmic: The Keys to Writing Science Fiction that Appeals to Both the Heart and the Mind.
Register soon! WordSpring 2026 is only a few months away.
We will set up a merchandise table on Friday afternoon and evening at the Crowne Plaza. If you'd like us to sell a book for you at WordSpring on consignment, please advise us at info@wfnb.ca as soon as you sign up for the book launch readings, if you would like us to sell your books on consignment on Friday. Please note that every author is responsible to carry their books to and from the merchandise table.
WordSpring Schedule
Friday May 29, 2026
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Welcome! Get settled, meet and greet your fellow writers, and participate in the Open Mic and book launch readings Welcome! Open Mic and book launch readings in the Bay Room. Merch table, Coffee/tea/refreshment
····DINNER ON YOUR OWN····
6:00 pm -6:45 pm
NB Writing Competition Literary Soiree Reception (cash bar),
Open to the Public
Top of the Town, Crowne Plaza
Music By: Brent Mason
6:45 pm
Welcome by the board
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Award Readings and Reception
Saturday May 30, 2026
8:00 am
Breakfast (complimentary for Crowne Plaza guests)
9:00 - 9:45 am
Keynote Address
Robert J. Sawyer - Facing the Future: New Horizons in Publishing, What it Means to be a Writer, and the Promise and Peril of AI
10:00 am — 12 pm:
Workshops
Robert J. Sawyer, Sci-fi Masterclass - Combing the Intimately Human with the Grandly Cosmic: The Keys to Writing Science Fiction that Appeals to Both the Heart and the Mind
OR
Rebecca Carrigan (pen name, Becca Blue) - MARKETING VS PUBLICITY—Real-World Promotion Strategies for Indie Authors
--LUNCH BUFFET, NOON TO 1:30 PM--
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Workshops
Joe Mahoney - Record your own Audiobooks
OR
Akilah Walcott - Page-to-Stage Poetry and Performance
--DINNER ON YOUR OWN--
Join us to celebrate the eleventh annual
NB Book Awards!
6:00 pm - 9:00pm
Lily Lake Pavilion,
Saint John
May 30, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The NB Book Awards Reception
Music by Joseph Albert
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Live ceremony Host: TBA
Keynote: James Mullinger
Book Table : The Write Cup Bookstore Café
Trophies provided by: Glass Roots Inc.
Sunday May 31, 2026
8:00 am
Breakfast (complimentary for Crowne Plaza guests)
9:30 am -11:30am
Workshops
Anastasios (Tommy) Mihalopoulos - Retelling Myth and Fairy Tales (sponsored by)
OR
Marjorie Simmons - Spring into Memoir: Finding the Life Story You Need to Write
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Pitch the Publisher
Organized and hosted by WFNB member Andrea Kikuchi.
Checklist for Members
Make sure you didn't forget to register for anything with limited space!
Did you sign up for the Meet and Greet, Open mic and Book Launch?
Did you register for Pitch the Publisher on Sunday afternoon, if you'd like to participate? This event will be coordinated by WFNB member Andrea Kikuchi, and there will be a strict time limit on presentations.
