Jarman Book Launch

My White Planet
By
Mark Anthony Jarman

Please join us in launching Mark Jarman’s new collection of short stories!
*Thursday, May 1st — 7 pm*
Wilser’s Room (formerly The Taproom)
366 Queen Street)
Fredericton, NB * *(506) 451-6912

"In the breadth of his subject matter and the way he teases out his narratives, Mark Jarman shows himself to be a dauntingly innovative writer. But it is what he does with language that really sets him apart. Tensions escalate and worlds collapse in the wake of the most unexpected conjunctions and ingenious imagery. The overall effect is electrifying. My White Planet is beyond groundbreaking, it is an essential reminder of the power and ascendancy of the word." – Barbara Gowdy

My White Planet is a collection of fourteen short stories by one of Canada’s most original writers of short fiction. Many of these stories have previously won or been short-listed for literary magazine awards. Jarman pushes the boundaries of language and story telling and in so doing mesmerizes readers with each and every story he tells. His unique voice and compelling use of language reinforces why Jarman is a rising star in the Canadian literary firmament.

My White Planet offers up a fictional world of wonders: Troops undertake a nightmarish march following Custer’s last stand; seven marooned men at a remote polar station save the life of a naked young woman; a dropout skateboarder falls off a highway bridge and drowns in the river; a flight attendant is able to read her passenger’s minds; a time traveler witnesses Louis Riel’s botched execution; a city bus ride ends up crossing the entire country.

Mark Anthony Jarman is the author of 19 Knives, New Orleans is Sinking, and the travel book Ireland’s Eye. He has been short-listed for the O. Henry Prize and Best American Essays, won a Gold National Magazine Award in non-fiction, has twice won the Maclean-Hunter Endowment Award, and has been included in The Journey Prize Anthology
and Best Canadian Stories. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, has taught at the University of Victoria, the Banff Center for the Arts, and now teaches at the University of New Brunswick, where he is fiction editor of The Fiddlehead.

Frye Festival Breaks Records

It was another banner for the Frye Festival, with Moncton’s annual celebration of words setting a new attendance high of over 16,000. “That’s an increase of nearly 25% from last year and far exceeds our goal for 2009,” chair Dawn Arnold said.

Credit goes in large part to its stellar line-up of authors, with such literary luminaries as Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford, Russell Banks, Heather O’Neill, Ami McKay and Nancy Huston on the festival marquee.

“These absolutely remarkable authors fed our imaginations in so many ways and inspired kids in record number,” Arnold said at yesterday’s closing. This year, more than 10,000 students in New Brunswick welcomed the internationally acclaimed authors into their classrooms, with school visits totalling 180, another new record for the festival.

The five-day festival’s wide-ranging program of workshops, dialogues, readings, debates, lectures drew standing-room only crowds to venues throughout the city and several events were sell-outs, such as the The Antonine Maillet-Northrop Frye Lecture by Alberto Manguel on “Why Homer Must Be Blind”.

Saturday’s KidsFest, an action-packed, fun-filled event that promotes the joy and discovery of reading and writing to youth, drew 1,200 people to the Moncton Public Library.

Thanks to the passion of its 150 volunteers, the generosity of its patrons and the support of government leaders, with private and public partnerships now totalling 60, the festival donated more than $6,000 worth of new books to schools and gave out $4,000 in prize money to winners of its Great-West Life — London Life Writing Contest.

The success of the 2008 festival raises the bar high for the 10th edition of Canada’s only bilingual literary festival in 2009. This not-for-profit, volunteer-driven event was established in 1999 to honour the literary contributions of its namesake and world-renowned educator and author Northrop Frye, who spent his formative years in Moncton. Its 10th anniversary will be celebrated with a 10-day festival, April 17-26, 2009.

The 2008 event ended with a farewell reception, hosted by the Greater Moncton International Airport, and featuring the grand finale reading by the festival’s very own poet laureate, Poet flyé and Moncton writer Paul Bossé, accompanied by popular local band Les Païens.His epic poem, entitled #9, will be permanently displayed in the airport art gallery, next to his work from last year.

At yesterday’s closing, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the 9th annual Frye Festival. It will be permanently displayed at the French Consulate building and features a quote from one of the 2008 festival’s world-renowned authors, Nancy Huston, which reads: “Imagination is an essential part of human reality”.

Kidsfest at Frye Saturday

Fun for the whole family is in store at Frye Festival's KidsFest, Saturday, April 26at the Moncton Public Library.

The adventure-filled action-packed line-up begins at 9 am with a variety of activities focused on the magic of written and oral words.

The half-day event encourages children, ages 2-12, to write their own poetry, go fishing for words, do crafts, swap books and much more! Last year over 1,200 people attended the free event.

KidsFest also provides an opportunity to meet the Frye Festival authors and hear them read from their works.

For children ages 8-10, Kidsfest is also a great place to learn more about the writing craft in free workshops! Erik Dyke will host a workshop on creative comics (in English) and Diane Carmel Léger will give tips on creative writing (in French). Pre-register at workshops.ateliers@frye.ca to save your spot!

This Frye Festival favourite is made possible by the generosity of its new sponsor - the City of Moncton.

The City of Moncton is proud to be hosting such an important event geared towards kids, says Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton. Literacy is a cornerstone of success and by getting our children excited about reading and writing we can ignite this life-long passion.

Mighty Successful Contest

Bread ‘n Molasses magazine and Mighty Community Group recently announced a new contest. Dubbed one Mighty Successful Contest, the competition seeks success stories from readers and in turn offers one grand prize valued at $599.

“Tell us your success story and you could win a free subscription to MySuccessTV.com,” said Kellie Underhill, Editor of Bread ‘n Molasses magazine.

MySuccessTV.com is a 24-hour online television station dedicated to personal development. The website contains over 300 individual training programs that show participants how to be successful in all aspects of their lives.

“With programs from industry leaders such as Zig Ziglar and Stephen Covey, the true value of this prize is staggering,” Underhill said. “You’d have to pay over $2200 just for the sales programs alone. The fact that an annual membership can be purchased for only $599 is a great deal, but getting a year’s subscription to the website for free is an absolutely amazing deal!”

Underhill has taken many of the programs the website offers. “Some people might think you need to be in business or a sales professional in order to benefit from the website, but no matter who you are or what you do MySuccessTV.com can change your life,” Underhill said. “There are programs to help you be more successful as a parent and in your family relationships as well as in areas like personal finances, time management, reaching your goals and so much more.”

Entrants are being asked to write a personal essay 250-500 words in length sharing their success story. “Everyone has experienced some success in their life, whether they’ve lost weight or quit smoking, maybe they’ve met someone who has impacted their life in some positive way or maybe they switched careers or went back to school,” Underhill said. “We’re looking to hear about the positive experiences in people’s lives. Maybe the experience started out negatively like having an accident or getting laid off, but if it ended with a good lesson and positive personal growth, then we want to hear about it.”

All entries will be published online at www.BreadnMolasses.com with the top three finalists being published in an upcoming print edition of Bread ‘n Molasses magazine. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a year’s subscription to MySuccessTV.com. The contest is open to all ages and there is no entry fee.

Email essays to print@breadnmolasses.com or mail to PO Box 266 Miramichi, NB E1N 2A6. Entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2008.


For more information please contact:
The Bread 'n Molasses Team
Phone: 506-773-7668
Email: print@breadnmolasses.com
Website: www.breadnmolasses.com/contest.html

Frye Festival Shines Spotlight on Teen Talent

Building on last year’s successful debut, Aliant Café Underground returns to the Frye Festival Wednesday, April 23, ready to shine its spotlight on talented teens.

Aliant Café Underground provides a unique forum for high school students throughout the region to present their original works of poetry, prose and song in a bilingual setting. This showcase of rising stars on the local literary front will be held at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre at 7 p.m.

Mentors Troy Little, a graphic novelist from Prince Edward Island and Katia Canciani, a rising talent from Nova Scotia, will be on-site to provide encouragement and tips to the young writers.

“We believe in encouraging our community’s youth to reach their full potential,” said Nicole Gallant, Aliant’s Regional Manager for Southeast New Brunswick. “The Aliant Café Underground is a great opportunity for the region’s emerging literary talent to shine in a professional setting. After hearing about the incredible performances at last year’s Café Underground, I can’t wait to see and hear what our writers have to say on April 23rd.”

Room Magazine Annual 2008 Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Non-fiction Contest

It's that time of year again—sharpen your pencils or fire up your laptop and send us your fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction contest entries.

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2008.
Entry Fee: $27 per entry (includes a complimentary one-year subscription to Room). Payment by cheque or money order made out to Room.
Non-Canadian entries: $39 Canadian dollars
Prizes: 1st prize in each category – $500, 2nd prize – $250. Winners will be published in a 2009 issue of Room. Other manuscripts may be published.

Judges:
Creative Non-Fiction: Rita Moir
Fiction: Ivan E Coyote
Poetry - Evelyn Lau

Rules & Details:
Send entries to:
Room Fiction and Poetry Contest
P.O. Box 46160, Station D
Vancouver, BC V6J 5G5
Canada

More than one entry will be accepted as long as fee is paid for each entry. No manuscripts will be returned. Only winners will be notified.

Poetry: max. 3 poems or 150 lines | Fiction: max. 4,000 words

There will be blind judging, therefore, do not put your name or address on entry submission, but enclose a cover sheet with your name, address, phone number and title(s) of entry. Entries must be typed on 8.5 X 11 white paper. Prose must be double-spaced. Each entry must be original, unpublished, not submitted or accepted elsewhere for publication and not entered simultaneously in any other contest or competition.

www.roommagazine.com

2008 WFNB Literary Competition Winners Announced

April 9, 2008 (Fredericton, NB) –
The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Literary Competition. Writers from across Canada competed in seven categories for over $2000 in cash prizes. Prizes were handed out at the Literary Awards Banquet held at the Rodd Miramichi Hotel on April 5th.

Susan Gillis judged the individual poem category. Rita Auffrey of Moncton, NB, takes first place with “Nine Roads for Joan of Arc.” Second place goes to Kathleen Brown of Fredericton, NB for “The Seam from Less.” Judith Frost of Verdun, PQ, places third with “My Father was Ready.” Honorable Mention goes to Kath MacLean of Edmonton, AB, for “Their Little Necks are Broken.”

J.J. Steinfeld judged the Short Fiction category. David Speare of Charlottetown, PEI, places first with “Return of the Railroad Cat. ” Second place goes to Elizabeth Penny of Whitby, ON, with “Not in My House.” Martin Gerrard of East St. Paul, MB receives Third place for “Dreaming of a Kiss.” Honorable Mention goes to Elaine McCluskey of Dartmouth, NS, for “The Favorite Nephew.”

Ken McGoogan judged the Non-Fiction category. Susan Marie Toy of St. Vincent & Grenadines, West Indies, takes first place with her piece “Hockey Night on Bellefair Avenue.” Second place goes to Anne Levesque of Moncton, NB, for “Pusat.” Helena MacLean of Lunenburg, NS receives Third place for “Santa’s Birthday.” Honorable Mention goes to Laurence Hutchman of Edmundston, NB, for “Playing the Legends.”

The Writing for Children category was judged by Sylvia McNicoll. First place goes to Tyler Enfield of Edmonton, AB for his piece “The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright.” Helene Boudreau of Markham, ON, takes Second place with “Acadian Star.” Third place goes to Lindsey Morris of Amherstburg, ON for “The Hotdog Bun.” Honorable Mention goes to Sarah K. McEvoy of Verdun, PQ, for “Meet Me at the Monkey Tree.”

Carmelita McGrath judged the Sheree Fitch Prize for Poetry written by a youth. Randi Watson of Hazelton, NB, wins first place with “Rain.” Second place goes to Nicole Oakley of Elgin, NB, for “Walk In Our Shoes.” Mathiew Charles Nini of Bathurst, NB receives Third place for his poem “A Year in Sonnets.” Honorable Mention goes to Ryan McNeil of St-Paul, NB, for “Stories.”

Joel Thomas Hynes judged the David Adams Richards Prize for unpublished manuscript or short stories. The winner is Andre Narbonne of London, ON, for “The Separatists.” Honorable Mentions go to Beverly Akerman of Montreal, PQ for “The Heart of All Things”; and Elaine McCluskey of Dartmouth, NS for “The Houdini.”

Peter Richardson judged the Alfred G. Bailey Prize for unpublished poetry collection. The winner is Sandra Ridley of Ottawa, ON for her submission “Downwinders.” Honorable Mention goes to Shane Neilson of Guelph, ON, for “White Coat, Black Bag.”

The WFNB congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone who entered the competition this year. Please visit www.umce.ca/wfnb for more info on the WFNB, and guidelines for the 2009 competition.

2008 WFNB Literary Competition Winners Announced

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Literary Competition. Writers from across Canada competed in seven categories for over $2000 in cash prizes. Prizes were handed out at the Literary Awards Banquet held at the Rodd Miramichi Hotel, April 5th.

Susan Gillis judged the individual poem category. Rita Auffrey of Moncton, NB, takes first place with “Nine Roads for Joan of Arc.” Second place goes to Kathleen Brown of Fredericton, NB for “The Seam from Less.” Judith Frost of Verdun, PQ, places third with “My Father was Ready.”

J.J. Steinfeld judged the Short Fiction category. David Speare of Charlottetown, PEI, places first with “Return of the Railroad Cat.” Second place goes to Elizabeth Penny of Whitby, ON, with “Not in My House.” Martin Gerrard of East St. Paul, MB receives Third place for “Dreaming of a Kiss.”

Ken McGoogan judged the Non-Fiction category. Susan Marie Toy of St. Vincent & Grenadines, West Indies, takes first place with her piece “Hockey Night on Bellefair Avenue.” Second place goes to Anne Levesque of Moncton, NB, for “Pusat.” Helena MacLean of Lunenburg, NS receives Third place for “Santa’s Birthday.”

The Writing for Children category was judged by Sylvia McNicoll. First place goes to Tyler Enfield of Edmonton, AB for his piece “The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright.” Helene Boudreau of Markham, ON, takes Second place with “Acadian Star.” Third place goes to Lindsey Morris of Amherstburg, ON for “The Hotdog Bun.”

Carmelita McGrath judged the Sheree Fitch Prize for Poetry written by a youth. Randi Watson of Hazelton, NB, wins first place with “Rain.” Second place goes to Nicole Oakley of Elgin, NB, for “Walk In Our Shoes.” Mathiew Charles Nini of Bathurst, NB receives Third place for his poem “A Year in Sonnets.”

Joel Thomas Hynes judged the David Adams Richards Prize for unpublished manuscript or short stories. The winner is Andre Narbonne of London, ON, for “The Separatists.”
Honorable Mentions go to Beverly Akerman of Montreal, PQ; and Elaine McCluskey of Dartmouth, NS.

Peter Richardson judged the Alfred G. Bailey Prize for unpublished poetry collection. The winner is Sandra Ridley of Ottawa, ON for her submission “Downwinders”
Honorable Mention goes to Shane Neilson of Guelph, ON, for “White Coat, Black Bag.”

The WFNB congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone who entered the competition this year. Please visit www.umce.ca/wfnb for more info on the WFNB, and guidelines for the 2009 competition.