Contest of the Day -- Déjà Vu Horror Contest

Dark Recesses Press (100 Mile House, BC) is accepting entries for their Déjà Vu Horror Contest. Deadline: November 30, 2006. Entry fee: $5(US). Story must feature a psychopathic serial killer who ties victims to a chair. Story can either be parody or masterpiece. Prize: $100(US) and publication in the quarterly PDF zine Dark Recesses Press. Click for Details.

Contest of the Day -- Random Highbrow Competition

Grimm Magazine invites submissions for their newest Random Highbrow Competition. The task is to take ten words and write a very short work of fiction or a poem (250 words maximum). All ten words must be used. Voting online. The author of the entry which receives the most votes will see her/his work printed in the next issue of Grimm and will receive a brag copy of Issue 3 - Summer 2006. Details.

Contest of the Day -- CanWrite! Conference Story Contest

The Canadian Authors Association invites entries for the Fourth Annual CanWrite! Conference Story Contest. The top ten selections will be published in an anthology that will be launched at the 85th CAA Annual Conference in Peterborough in 2006. Top three winners will also receive $500, $200 and $100 respectively plus a free conference registration. Open to all ages and all Canadian residents. Short stories must be fiction, unpublished, and 1500 words max. Deadline: February 28, 2006. Details here.

Contest of the Day -- Writer's Digest Short Short Story Contest

Writer's Digest Short Short Story Contest

We are now accepting entries in our 6th Annual Competition We're looking for fiction that's bold, brilliant...but brief Send us your best in 1,500 words or less by December 1, 2005 For guidelines and an entry form visit our Website or email us at short-short-competition@fwpubs.com

From Sussex to Sackville

The writing workshop with Sandra Phinney in Sussex on Saturday went very well. A good sized crowd attended. Participants found themselves recalling things from their past they hadn't thought about in years and came away enthusiastically inspired to write their stories. Everyone was very impressed and wished they had more time with Sandra. Great workshop!

And the fun continues this weekend in Sackville when the WFNB welcomes Beth Powning.

Best-selling author, Beth Powning, will be in Sackville on Saturday to give a writing workshop at the Public Library on Main Street from 1-3 pm.

"Writing from Memory" is a workshop on transforming personal experience into literary non-fiction. Suggested (but not required) reading includes The Outermost House and Northern Farm by Henry Beston, Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen, and The Blue Jay’s Dance by Louise Erdrich.

"We're very pleased to have an author of Beth's calibre coming to workshop with us," says Kellie Underhill, the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) Director responsible for organising the event. "She's known for her powerful lyrical style and rich details in her prose. I think there will be something for everyone in this workshop whether they're just starting to think about getting into writing or they've already been published."

Registration fees for the workshop are $25 for WFNB members and $30 for non-members. Everyone is welcome. Interested participants should contact Underhill at 536-0461 or email kvu@nb.sympatico.ca or Mary Hutchman at 459-7228 / wfnb@nb.aibn.com.

Beth Powning's most recent book published this fall, Edge Seasons, is a personal memoir about transformation — about seasonal change within the natural world around her and in her own life. Her first novel, The Hatbox Letters, was a national best-seller and short-listed for the 2005 Atlantic Book Awards' “Booksellers Choice Award.”

Her previous books include Seeds of Another Summer: Finding the Spirit of Home in Nature (published in the U.S. as Home: Chronicle of a North Country Life), a collection of lyrical prose and photographs that celebrate the power and natural beauty of her New Brunswick home; and Shadow Child: An Apprenticeship in Love and Loss, a memoir in which the author attempts to come to terms with the stillbirth of her first son. Powning has also been published extensively in periodicals such as Prism, Quarry and The Fiddlehead, and is well known for her nature photography.

Contest of the Day -- Mount Arrowsmith Novel Writing Contest 2006

Entries: Novels. 80-425 pages typed one side double spaced. Theme open.
Fee: $15.00
Prizes: $1,000.00 Grand Prize
Information: International novel wriiting contest open to writers in English. Theme-open. See web site for full details.
SendTo: 2562 Second Avenue, Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada V9Y 2A1
Web Address: www.geocities.com/diverselywritten/arrowsmith06.html
Deadline: Monday May 15, 2006

Contest of the Day -- WFNB Annual Literary Competition

The deadline for the 2006 WFNB Literary Competition is fast approaching. Now open to all writers in Canada, the competition awards $2200 in cash prizes. Categories include Individual Poems, Short Fiction, Children's Literature, The Sheree Fitch Prize for Poetry written by a youth, The Richards Prize for prose manuscript, and The Alfred G. Bailey Prize for poetry manuscript. Entries must be postmarked by November 12, 2005. See the website for full contest details.

NB Ink

Just a reminder the deadline for the next issue of NB Ink comes a little early this time around. Please have all news and articles in by the end of today.

In case you've just surfed in and have been left wondering, "What is NB Ink?" Allow me to enlighten. NB Ink is the quarterly newsletter published by the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick for members only. In every issue you'll find the latest news from our members, as well as information about markets, contests, workshops and other events. Enjoy regular features like "Why I Write" and gain valuable insight into other members' creative process. NB Ink helps you stay connected with writers and writing in New Brunswick. And it's just one of the many benefits of being a WFNB member.

Contest of the Day -- Association of Italian Canadian Writers (AICW) 2006 Literary Contest

Three categories: fiction and non-fiction (2000 words max.) and poetry (40 lines max.) Submissions are accepted in English, French, and Italian. Send 3 copies of manuscript. Blind judging: entrant's name should not appear on the manuscripts. Title and page number must appear on each page. Provide a separate sheet with name, address, telephone number, e-mail and word count. Multiple entries welcome. Entry fee: $20 ($10 for AICW members) for each entry of fiction/non-fiction and up to 3 poems. Cheques payable to: Association of Italian-Canadian Writers. First prize of $200 per category, one honourable mention per category. Winners will be announced in the AICW Newsletter and AICW website. More information: Venera Fazio: veneraf@ebtech.net. Send entries and fees to The Association of Italian Canadian Writers, c/o Delia De Santis, 2961 Delia Cres., Bright's Grove, ON, Canada N0N 1C0. Deadline: March 1, 2006.

Contest of the Day -- PRISM international 20th Annual Short Fiction Contest

PRISM international is accepting entries for its 20th Annual Short Fiction Contest. Grand prize: $2000 (5 runner ups). All winning stories will be published in the 2006 PRISM Summer Fiction Contest Issue and receive an additional payment of $20 per printed page. Deadline: January 31, 2006. Entry fee: $27 for one story (includes one-year subscription), plus $7 for each additional story. Full contest details...

Success in Moncton

Moncton gave UNB Writer-In-Residence, Catherine Bush, a very warm welcome Saturday evening. A large group turned out for the workshop "Fiction in Motion" with even more people dropping by later for the reading from Claire's Head at the Attic Owl Bookstore on Queen Street. What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

The WFNB Fall Workshops continue this weekend in Sussex with Sandra Phinney. Here's the word on that event --

Atlantic Canadians are turning out tales like never before. Some are publishing personal essays, while others are recording family histories, helping relatives with their memoirs, or writing vignettes to accompany photos for their scrapbooks.

Whatever the motivation is, writing is in. However, some people have trouble starting the process. That’s where a workshop comes in mighty handy.

Sandra Phinney is delivering a writer’s workshop called “Putting Your Memories to Work.” She says that everyone has amazing stories to tell - personal vignettes about growing up, or a particular incident that is etched in one’s mind.

The focus of this workshop is writing memoirs. Part of the workshop will focus on writing personal essays, as well as learning where to publish them.

Phinney says, “Lots of people want to write. The biggest problem is trying to figure out where to begin. If you have a pulse and can breathe, you can write! This workshop is designed to get people started. By the end of the afternoon, you will have a bag full of inspiration and writing tools to keep you going.”

WFNB Director, Karen LeBlanc, is organising the event. She says, "This is the perfect kind of workshop to get the creative juices flowing. Some people may want to write a memoir for publication while others may want to pass on some family recollections as a gift to their family. Phinney has a fine reputation in Atlantic Canada for giving workshops and participants always come away inspired.”

Phinney writes features for Canadian and US magazines. She also has two books under her belt: Risk Takers and Innovators: Great Canadian Business Ventures Since 1950 and a children’s book, Pierre Elliott Trudeau—The Prankster Who Never Flinched, which launched this fall.

Phinney is a member of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada, the Canadian Authors Association, the Canadian Association of Journalists and the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. She also writes poetry and short stories and delivers freelance and creative writing workshops throughout Atlantic Canada.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 1-3 p.m. at the Sussex Public Library on Magnolia Ave in Sussex, NB. For more information contact Mary Hutchman (506) 459-7228/ wfnb@nb.aibn.com. Mail registration fee $25 member /$30 non-member, payable to WFNB, to WFNB PO Box 37, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2

There's still plenty of time to sign up, so let Mary know you'll be coming. See you there!

Contest of the Day -- Write a Gripe

Attention gripers ("folk who get peeved and want to tell someone about it"): entries are being accepted for the Write a Gripe Contest. Send gripes 150 words or less for a chance to win prizes ranging $500-100(US). Entry fee: $15(US). Deadline: November 30, 2005.

Contest of the Day -- 2005 Lantern Books Essay Competition

Lantern Books (US), publishers of books on animal advocacy, vegetarianism, and environmentalism are pleased to announce their first annual essay competition. First prize: $1000 (US). No entry fee. Essays should be 1500 words max. Deadline: December 31, 2005. More details...

Contest of the Day -- Grimm Magazine Short Story Contest

Grimm Magazine (UK) invites entries for its short story contest. First prize: $100/50, plus subscription and T-shirt. Theme: escapism. 5000 words max. Entry fee: $12/£6. Deadline: November 25, 2005. More details...

You're Cordially Invited

You are cordially invited to the

Charlotte Street Arts Centre
732 Charlotte Street
Fredericton, NB

at 2:45 PM
on Monday, November 7, 2005.

The Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, Belinda Stronach, will announce at three o’clock a major contribution by the Government of Canada in support of the Canadian culture and tourism sectors.

Light refreshments will be served.

Contest of the Day -- WCDR Online 24-Hour Non-Fiction Contest

The WCDR Online 24-Hour Non-Fiction Contest!
Entry Fee: $10.00 (Payable online with PayPal)
Word Count/Topic to be announced at onset of contest.

We'll give you a day. But that's it! That's all you get. In return, you give us your best piece of work! If it's really good, you may even impress our judges, none other than Linwood Barclay, Karen Levine and Ted Barris, into giving you a share of the prize pot!

On Saturday November 12th, 2005, at 1:00pm, we will be sending out the TOPIC and WORD COUNT to those who have pre-registered. You then get to explore your memories and find a riveting story you can weave into the chosen topic! Then, follow the easy instructions for submitting your non-fiction piece, making sure to get it back to us before that magical 24-hour window closes. Hard work should be rewarded. You may find yourself $500 richer for your efforts! (First Place=$500, Second Place=$300, Third Place=$200)

Visit http://www.wcdr.org/nonfictioncontest.html now for all contest details, and to register for your chance at this exciting 24-hour challenge. Just remember one important factor, you must pre-register to take part in
the challenge.

Remember to knock our socks off! That's all it takes to win! Our prestigious judges will be looking for originality in content and style, excellence in grammar and spelling, adherence to word count and topic, and most importantly that certain magic that occurs when writer unites with imagination and story comes alive!

Contest of the Day -- Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest

First prize $500; Second prize: $250, Third prize: $100.

Send a postcard along with a story of up to 500 words that relates to the card. The relationship can be as tangential as you like, so long as there is some clear connection to the image or place. The three winning entries will be published in Geist.

Deadline: December 1, 2005. Entry Fee: $20 for the first entry (includes subscription); $5 for each additional entry. More details...

Catherine Bush in Moncton this Weekend

The first of the WFNB writing workshops is coming up this weekend in Moncton. You don't have to be a member of the Writers' Federation in order to attend, everyone is welcome.

Here's some of the official word on that from the Fall issue of NB Ink:

"Join UNB Writer in Residence, Catherine Bush, in Moncton at the Attic Owl Bookstore, 115 Queen Street, on Saturday November 5th, for the workshop “Fiction in Motion” beginning at 6 PM followed by a reading at 8PM.

Of the workshop Bush says, “Movement is one of the most essential elements of narrative. This workshop will explore how we create forward momentum in our fiction - at the level of the sentence, the scene and in longer structures, both story and novel. (Essential to the idea of movement is the idea of change.) We’ll look briefly at some examples of published work and also discuss the issue of movement in participants’ own work. We may do an exercise or two.”

Catherine Bush is the author of two critically acclaimed and internationally published novels. The Rules of Engagement (2000) was a New York Times Notable Book and a Best Book of the Year as chosen by the Globe and Mail and the L.A. Times and was short-listed for the City of Toronto Book Award. Minus Time (1993) was short-listed for the 1994 SmithBooks/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the City of Toronto Book Award.

Bush has a degree in Comparative Literature from Yale University. She has taught creative writing at Concordia University, the University of Florida, and elsewhere. Her non-fiction has appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times Magazine and the Globe and Mail."

The workshop costs $25 for WFNB members, $30 for non-members, and the reading is free. Everyone is welcome. You can mail your registration fee to WFNB PO Box 37, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2. And there's still lots of time to get in on this event if you're interested.

Contest of the Day -- 2005 Prairie Fire Press

Entries are invited for the Prairie Fire Magazine's McNally Robinson Writing Contests (Bliss Carman Poetry Award - Judge: Don McKay, Short Fiction - Judge: Shyam Selvadurai, Creative Non-Fiction - Judge: Janice Kulyk Keefer).

$5,250 in prizes. Deadline: November 30, 2005.

For information contact: Prairie Fire Press, 423-100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1H3. Phone: (204) 943-9066.

Still Time to Enter WFNB Literary Competition

Over $2000 in cash prizes is up for grabs in the Writer's Federation of New Brunswick's (WFNB) 2006 Literary Competition.

Writers from across Canada are invited to enter in six categories: individual poems, short fiction, children's literature, fiction manuscript, poetry manuscript, and poet written by a youth.

Entries will be judged by professional writers from across the country including Tim Lilburn, Stephen Henighan, Rhea Tregebov, Gerard Beirne, Catherine Bush and Tammy Armstrong.

The entry fee for the Sheree Fitch Prize for Poetry open to youth aged 14-18 is $15 for every five poems or 100 lines.

A $30 entry fee must accompany each manuscript considered for the Richards Prize for fiction up to 30,000 words and the Alfred G. Bailey Prize for a poetry manuscript of at least 48 pages.

Entry fees for individual poems up to 100 lines, short fiction no longer than 4000 words and children's literature up to 20,000 words are $20 per entry. WFNB members enjoy slightly reduced entry fee rates.

Entries must be postmarked no later than November 12, 2005, (or closest postmark date after Nov 12)and mailed to: WFNB, PO Box 37, Station A, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2. Email entries will not be considered.

Complete competition details can be found on the WFNB website at www.umce.ca/wfnb. For more information telephone (506) 459-7228 or email wfnb@nb.aibn.com.

Call -- NB Sports E-Magazine

NB Sports E-Magazine
New Brunswick's only on-line sports magazine - www.nbsportspage.ca - is seeking a diverse group of writers for our weekly publication.

The idea of the website is to get away from mainstream materials for the most part. We're not overly interested in results or statistics, but feature writing for off-beat, unique or simply interesting athletic endeavours. Those endeavours could be outdoor pursuits, dogsled racing, bow hunting or whatever strikes one's fancy.

We are not financially viable yet to offer freelance fees, but we are averaging 1000 hits a week which means there's an audience for potential writers.

Contact Brad Janes, Editor
Fredericton NB
506-458-7969

Book Launch in Saint John

Coach House Books presents the launch of Down Sterling Road, a novel by Adrian Michael Kelly.
Thursday, November 3rd at 7pm
Saint John Arts Centre, 20 Hazen Avenue
Admission is Free
For more information, please call 800-367-6360 or email Christina@chbooks.com