WFNB launches 2011 Literary Competition

As the calendar turns to a new year, the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) ushers in 2011 with the launch of its annual literary competition. Established in 1984, the event will award a total $1,100 in prize money for the top entries in the following categories:  individual poems, short fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, fiction, short stories, novels and poetry manuscripts.

The competition is open to New Brunswick writers, both amateur and professional, and all members of WFNB. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 28 and will be judged blind by professional out-of-province authors.

The results of the 2011 competition will be announced at WordsSpring, WFNB’s annual gathering and AGM. This year’s event will be held in Sussex, May 13-15. Winners will be invited to attend and read from their work. In addition to receiving a cash prize and provincial recognition, the competition has been a springboard for previous winners who have gone on to publish their work in magazines and with major publishing houses.

The competition’s major awards are The Richards Prize for a collection of short stories, a short novel or a substantial portion of a longer novel, and named in honour of highly acclaimed New Brunswick author David Adams Richards and The Alfred G. Bailey prize for poetry manuscripts. The Sheree Fitch Prize for Fiction, named for the sponsor of this award, is open to youth, ages 14 to 18 years.

For more information on the competition, including genres, entry fees, word limits and other rules, visit the WFNB site at www.wfnb.ca.