WFNS is a registered not-for-profit organization that operates with funds raised from membership dues, fund-raising endeavors and corporate sponsorships, with operating support from the Government of Nova Scotia and with project assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts - all of whom we gratefully acknowledge for helping to make our work possible.

We also search for mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses and other not-for-profit organizations, which help us keep program costs low and membership and workshop fees affordable.

WFNS is 800 members strong and growing. Our members are at all stages in their writing careers. We are as concerned about the challenges of a freelancer trying to build a new career as we are for an established novelist searching for a fourth publishing contract.

 What We Do At WFNS

  • Organize and promote public readings, book launches, workshops, conferences, retreats and educational programs

  • Administer Writers in the Schools, a program which brings nearly 100 writers a year to schools in every Nova Scotian county

  • Maintain www.writers.ns.ca – a vast online resource containing a directory of NS writers and illustrators, event listings updated weekly, information on submission guidelines, publishing questions, and dozens of other issues of interest to writers

  • Represent the interests of writers to a variety of agencies and government departments, and lobby on behalf of the interests of these writers

  • Administer three Atlantic Book Awards: the Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, the Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction Award, and the Atlantic Poetry Prize

  • Facilitate the annual Atlantic Writing Competition for unpublished manuscripts and unproduced plays

  • Offer a Mentorship Program for our finest emerging writers

  • Foster creative writing and the profession of writing in the Province of Nova Scotia; provide advice and assistance to writers at all stages of their careers; encourage greater public recognition of Nova Scotian writers and their achievements; and enhance the literary arts in our regional and national culture.

What We Don't Do

  • WFNS is not a publishing house - while our consultations for members can address appropriate markets for your work and offer tips on best practices for submission to specific publishers, this is a collaborative effort between WFNS and members, and, due to the volume of requests we receive from our membership, consultations are as such a members-only service.
  • We do not read and comment on manuscripts - our Atlantic Writing Competition provides valuable feedback, yet does so once a year, and we can provide information on full manuscript evaluation services provided elsewhere.
  • We are not a ghostwriting agency - while some WFNS members provide ghostwriting services, keep in mind that significant investments of time and money are involved in collaborating with a ghostwriter. 
  • We do not 'register' books and manuscripts - if you are concerned with copyright issues surrounding your work, please consult the appropriate resources in our members-only web pages.


Linden MacIntyre speaks at a WFNS public event at White Point Beach Lodge, Nova Scotia

Members of the Elizabeth Bishop Society celebrate at WFNS' common space


 

Our Core Values

 

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, including our membership, staff and board of directors, works to maintain a supportive and vibrant writing community in Nova Scotia. These are our core values:

 

 

We value the diversity of writers in all regions of Nova Scotia, and are inclusive of all backgrounds, abilities and languages represented in the province. We value all genres of writing, and strive to create a welcoming, accessible and supportive atmosphere for all writers.

 

We value the practice of writing and the importance of developing our skill and craft as writers.

 

We value writing as a profession and a passion. We strive to represent the interests and protect the rights of all writers.

 

We value community building among writers. We encourage writers to connect to readers, services and resources. We have an appreciation for writing and a commitment to supporting its role in the life of Nova Scotians. We value the contributions of Nova Scotia writers regionally, nationally and internationally.

 

We value the inherent skills and resources of our community, and where possible, will use the skills and resources of our membership and community at large.

 

We value professionalism, and conduct ourselves with a high level of integrity. We are resourceful and creative in how we manage our organization’s operations.

 

 

Out in public: The Fed's Sue Goyette and Nate Crawford take part in a panel discussion with Wanda Robson, Lesley Choyce, George Elliot Clarke, and Shauntay Grant (photo Asna Adhami)


Ryan Turner challenges the WFNS team at Word on the Street's Spelling Bee fundraiser (photo Sandor Fizli)


Undercover as Lost's DHARMA Initiative in the Hal Con SF and Fantasy Convention books room


In-house activities: Donna Morrissey speaks at our 'Hungry Minds' writers' round table