Literary Competition Winners Announced

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) announced the winners of its annual Literary Competition at a recent banquet in Fredericton. Writers from across Canada competed in six categories for over $2000 in cash prizes.

Tim Lilburn judged the individual poem category. Laurence Hutchman of Edmundston, New Brunswick, took first place for “Chinese Erotic Scene at the Royal Ontario Museum.” Second place went to Edith Miller of Fredericton, New Brunswick, for “Cock Pheasant.” Myrna Garanis of Edmonton, Alberta, placed third with “November Triptych.”

Stephen Henighan judged the short fiction category. Colette Maitland of Gananoque, Ontario, won first for “LaPorte 1970.” Second place went to Angela Ranson of Moncton, New Brunswick, for the “The Resource Kid.” Also of Moncton, New Brunswick, Elizabeth Blanchard, took third place for “Drive-Thru.”

The writing for children category was judged by Rhea Tregebov with Brent R. Sherrard of Miramichi, New Brunswick, taking the top prize for "Rabbit Boy." Isobel Raven of Toronto, Ontario, won second for "The Ducks of Wimbley Hill." Third place went to Caroline Sawyer of Moncton, New Brunswick, for "The Trials of Wexford Weasel."

Marilyn Lerch judged the Sheree Fitch Prize for poetry written by a youth. Trevor Bringloe of Islandview, New Brunswick placed first for “Colonel Gange.” Lindsey MacCallum of Fredericton, New Brunswick, took second and third prizes for her poems “Words On A Page” and “Children of the Silent Night” respectively.

The Alfred G. Bailey Prize for an unpublished poetry manuscript was judged by Tammy Armstrong with Miranda Pearson from Vancouver, British Columbia winning for “The Aviary.”

Catherine Bush judged the Richards Prize for a collection of short stories, a short novel or a substantial portion of a longer novel. Sherry Coffey of Athabasca, Alberta took the prize for “A Pattern of Walking.” Honourable Mentions in this category went to Leona Theis of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for “Phil & Delorie Were Here,” Degan Davis of St. John’s, Newfoundland, for “The Forgetting Room,” and Uma Parameswaran of Winnipeg, Manitoba for “Pinto sees the Light and Other Stories.”

The WFNB congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone who entered the competition this year. The deadline for the 2007 contest is November 12, 2006. Judging details will be announced on the WFNB website later. Visit www.umce.ca/wfnb for guidelines.