The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) Annual General Meeting will be held April 16-18 in Miramichi. All writers and literary enthusiasts are invited to attend a weekend filled with workshops, readings and lots of fun!

The weekend kicks off Friday, April 16th, at 5pm with a Meet 'n Greet around the fireplace at the Angler's Reel Pub in the Rodd-Miramichi River Inn. This is a great opportunity to meet some of your favourite writers and poets in a relaxing social setting.

At 6pm everyone will head out for an evening of Poetry Readings at French Fort Cove. Poets will walk the historic trail, stopping at lookouts to read. This unique event promises to be memorable. Dress warmly and don't miss out on a tour of French Fort Cove like no other, complete with historical information, music, poetry, and communing with nature.

"This trail is lovely in all seasons, particularly spring," says Judy Bowman, WFNB president. "Come to the AGM and be inspired. We hope to see you in April on the beautiful and mighty Miramichi."

Two workshops will be held on Saturday, April 17^th, at the Rodd-Miramichi River Inn.

From 10:30 am to noon writers can participate in a workshop with Magie Dominic covering Life Writing/ Memoir.

"We will learn how to go into the story, to ignore impediments to the writing of memories, and celebrate the sharing of memory for both the writer and the reader," says Ms. Dominic.

Magie Dominic is a Newfoundland writer, artist and author of The Queen of Peace Room, a memoir nominated for the Judy Graham Award and Book of the Year Award by ForeWord Magazine. Her work has been published, printed, exhibited or produced in more than 100 quarterlies, books, newspapers, magazines, anthologies, theatre productions, librettos and art galleries.

The afternoon workshop is with Giller Prize finalist, Lisa Moore. Power of the Image runs from 2-4pm.

"We're thrilled Lisa Moore is coming.  She's a fantastic writer and a popular workshop leader," says WFNB executive director, Mary Hutchman. 

Lisa Moore is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and columnist for the Globe and Mail. She is the author of two collections of short stories: Degrees of Nakedness, published by Mercury Press, and soon to be re-issued by House of Anansi; and Open, which was nominated for the Winterset Award as well as The Giller Prize and won the Canadian Author's Association Prize for short fiction.

Saturday evening’s festivities begin at 7pm with the Literary Competition Awards Banquet. The winners of the annual WFNB Literary Competition will receive their awards and entertain all with a reading from their winning entries. The banquet will be followed by an old-fashioned Kitchen Party, sure to be a toe tapping good time.

On Sunday, April 18, from 10am-noon everyone is invited to Brunch and Open Readings at the Portage Restaurant. This Open Mic event always delivers up a mixed bag of talent, with everything from traditional and modern poetry to fiction, personal essays and more. Everyone is invited to support our New Brunswick talent, whether you would like to read or just to listen.

WFNB members receive discounted prices for the events. The cost is:

AGM Workshops $35 (WFNB members) $50 (non-members)
Awards Banquet $35 (WFNB members) $45 (non-members)

Annual WFNB Membership costs only $40/family; $30/individual; and $20 high school student. Benefits include the NB ink quarterly newsletter, reduced workshop fees, networking with writers, and more.

Registration for the workshops and/ or banquet must be received by April 4th, 2004.

For more information and a complete schedule of events visit the WFNB website.