Literary Competition Winners Announced

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

Yvonne Trainer judged the individual poem category. Nova Scotia’s Eleonore Schonmaier took first place for “Urban.” Second place went to matt robinson of Fredericton, New Brunswick, for “heart.” Richard Toth of Bathurst, New Brunswick, placed third with “A Railway Siding.”

Gerard Beirne judged the short fiction category. Elizabeth Blanchard of Dieppe, New Brunswick, won first for “Bitch Curve.” Second place went to John Paciga of Rothesay, New Brunswick, for “Tattoo.” Also of New Brunswick, Anne Lévesque, took third place for “The Baby.”

Fraser Sutherland judged the non-fiction category, a category which was swept by New Brunswickers. Noeline Bridge took first with “Night Bus to Amsterdam; or How I Saved Frank & Ronnie’s Holiday.” Second place went to Sherman R. Fisher for “Who Was Uncle Stanley?” J. Bastarache won third for “The Leprechaun’s Garden.”

The writing for children category was judged by Deb Loughead with Susan Beeby from Ontario taking the top prize for "The Girl with the Crazy Brother." Michelle McLean of New Brunswick won second for "When Pigs Fly (and other poems)." Third place went to Jan L. Coates of Nova Scotia for "Goodbye to Wollypoggle."

Magie Dominic judged the Sheree Fitch Prize for fiction written by a youth. Christy Joy Frost of Quebec placed first for “A Kinder Place.” Nova Scotia’s Andrea Gigeroff and New Brunswick’s Katherine Standen tied for second place with “Akerley” and “The Infallible Locket” respectively. Aleesha Askraf, Bonnie Devine, Jaclyn Drummond and Ashley Lewis of Ontario wrote the third place entry, “Loose Change.”

The Alfred G. Bailey Prize for an unpublished poetry manuscript was judged by Carole Langille and Greg Cook with Margo Wheaton from Nova Scotia winning for “The Morning When the World Was New.”

Michelle Butler Hallett judged the Richards Prize for a collection of short stories, a short novel or a substantial portion of a longer novel. Ontario’s Darryl Berger took the prize for “Punishing Ugly Children.” Honourable Mention in this category went to Carla Gunn of New Brunswick for “Frog.”

The WFNB congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone who entered the competition this year. The deadline for the 2008 contest is November 12, 2007. Judging details will be announced on the WFNB website later. Visit www.umce.ca/wfnb for guidelines.

What Some of the Judges Said:

Sheree Fitch Prize Winners
First place: A KINDER PLACE by Christy Joy Frost, Verdun, Quebec
Second place is a tie: AKERLEY by Andrea Gigeroff, Dartmouth, NS and THE INFALLIBLE LOCKET by Katherine Standen, Cambridge Narrows, NB
Third Place: LOOSE CHANGE by Aleesha Ashraf, Bonnie Devine, Jaclyn Drummond and Ashley Lewis, Aurora, Ontario

Judge Magie Dominic’s comments:
The writers of these four essays took great care to stay with their chosen story, never wandering away from the characters. Their dedication to the story was obvious and each wrote beautiful images. Their use of the language was strong and resulted in striking visuals.

They also took great care with the grammar, spelling, structure and the less exciting but imperative aspects of writing. When submitting work anywhere, but especially to a writing competition, it is absolutely imperative to pay attention to these details. These writers attended to the editing process, and I want to commend them for doing so.
All four writers should continue to work. I would love to know what Narciel did after she left the dome area; or what Elliott did later in life, what choices he made. I would like to know if Caterina really did leave that balcony, or if Kyle ever tried to find Akerley again. These four writers gave me many characters to think about and I thank them.

To write is work in itself. Sometimes very solitary, very thankless work. Each essay submitted represented work and I want to congratulate everyone. It was difficult to select only three and in fact it was impossible to select only three, which is why there had to be a tie for second place. In general always reread your story. Edit sentences; obey the guidelines, if they ask for 4,000 words, don't submit 16,000; look for typos! Look for ways to explain a situation differently, see what works best. Every writer in this competition shows talent and should definitely be encouraged to write and encouraged to submit their work.
Thank you,
Magie Dominic
New York City, April 2007

Short Fiction, Judge Gerard Beirne

First Place: Bitch Curve, Elizabeth Blanchard, NB

Judge's comments: Bitch Curve is a very fine story indeed. The narrator's strong voice never wavers. It steers the reader through this troubling tale. The dual narrative of the hit and run and the infidelity weave seamlessly together. The reader's understanding of Gerald's guilt increases from one narrative to the other resulting in a rich and complex story. A worthy winner.

Second Place: Tattoo, John Paciga, NB

Judge's comments: In Tattoo the writer clearly displays an acute eye and ear for character. The three main characters live out their lives for the reader upon the page. The tattoo metaphor works effectively and is well-controlled. It allows the underlying themes to emerge and be explored. A well paced narrative culminates in a very successful story.

Third Place: The Baby, Anne Lévesque, NB

Judge's comments: The Baby contains a strong narrative which holds the reader's attention throughout its tense story line. The crux scene is original and filled with the necessary ambivalence all fine stories contain. Gordon's emotional state is well explored and well served by this story.

Writing for Children, Judge Deb Loughead

First Place:
The Girl with the Crazy Brother, Susan Beeby, Ontario

This novel is written in a believable first person voice, present tense, which adds an edginess and immediacy to the central issue. Each of the characters is well-established. Emily, the main character, is beautifully conceived, as is her escalating struggle to comprehend her brother's 'madness' and to try to find an explanation while attempting to convince her oblivious parents that there really is a serious problem. Matt's psychosis begins slowly and builds to a crescendo by the final page the author submitted for judging-it certainly made me want to read on to the conclusion of the novel. Emily's friend Stephen is a compassionate friend and the onset and development of their relationship is sweet and entirely convincing. High school life, which threads through the narrative, rings true and even the secondary characters we meet are multi-faceted and complex with distinct personalities. It's a bittersweet and emotionally wrenching exploration of an often misunderstood challenge that affects so many families.

Second Place:
When Pigs Fly (and other Poems), Michelle McLean, NB

I had so much fun with this submission! It's a splendid collection of poetry that captures the concerns and experiences of childhood then puts a wild and wacky twist on each of them. There are unexpected delights on every page because this poet knows exactly how to begin and end a rhyme and always manages to surprise the reader. And the bouncing, galloping rhymes consistently play games with the reader and tickle all the senses! Children will giggle over these poems, as will the adults who are sharing them! A few
of my favourites: “There's A Kitty In This Sandbox”, pg 35, “It's Not My Day,” pg. 16, “The Complainer,” pg. 17, “Surprise,” pg 51.

Third Place:
Goodbye to Wollypoggle, Jan L.Coates, NS

A delightful story with the cadence of poetry, this tale of a 'magical' cape stitched up for Sam by his Gran will captivate children. Not only will they be able to conjure up the images that are so beautifully rendered in words, they will certainly enjoy the wordplay as well-“Poke, Swish…Poke, Swish…” The familiar playtime adventures the author describes are sure to strike a note, and children will be able to identify with the transition from 'babyhood' to 'little boy' for which the shrinking cape serves as a metaphor. The colourful narrative could be well translated into illustrations.

Non-Fiction, Judge Fraser Sutherland

Non-fiction is essentially no different from fiction: one way or another a story is being told. Several entries in this year’s nonfiction competition possess story-telling appeal, but the winners I’ve chosen add an extra dimension: the portrayal of character.

First Prize: “Night Bus to Amsterdam; or How I Saved Frank & Ronnie’s Holiday” Noeline Bridge, NB
A wry account of misadventures involved in getting from Dover to Amsterdam across the English Channel in the company of a gay couple. Sympathetic, sharply observant, but never patronizing, the narrator doesn’t get in the way of the story’s human comedy.

Second Prize: "Who Was Uncle Stanley?" Sherman R. Fisher, NB
A poignant portrait of a rural old-timer who had come to a community as an outsider. The story’s anchored by a solid sense of place and of the past.

Third Prize: “The Leprechaun’s Garden” J. Bastarache, NB
A telescopic epic of a family seeking a new life in the countryside. The narrative’s a little breathless, but the theme of homecoming is ably shaped.

Richards Prize, Judge Michelle Butler Hallett

Winner “Punishing Ugly Children” Darryl Berger, ON
“Punishing Ugly Children” burrowed into my head and laid eggs. Highly polished, crisp and frightening. Should be submitted to a publisher.

Honourable Mention “Frog” Carla Gunn, NB
Goes brave places in a well-crafted narrative voice. Dares to be funny.

Alfred G. Bailey Poetry Prize, Judges Greg Cook and Carole Langille

Winner “The Morning When the World Was New” Margo Wheaton, NS
It distinguishes itself for its fresh voice. In these poems there is a heightened sense of exultation and anticipation within the hushed tone. Through her sure sense of rhythm and image the poet draws the reader into a vital, surprising and sensual world.

"Outside, the porch light
is keeping its vigil, more
constant than the human heart
that can only try
and fail to be faithful."

The poet of ‘The Morning When the World Was New” is faithful to her keen awareness of the day's casualties and blessings. Her poetic process itself highlights her intimate and natural voice which guides us in this new world.

It was difficult for the judges to come up with one outstanding runner-up as there were several excellent books that would fit that category. They include wonderful poems, although the whole manuscripts didn't yet hold together in their entirety.

Contestants should know their work is greatly admired.