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Announcements

SFFH-friendly fall workshops

Announcements

This November, the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia is offering a series of one- and two-night virtual workshops ideal for writers of speculative fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, & horror) and for writers of other fiction genres.

Register for multiple workshops

SFFH-friendly fall workshops Read More »

A Definitive (Re-)Introduction to WFNS

Announcements, Program News

On April 28, 2025, Program Manager Andy Verboom presented a comprehensive survey of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia's organizational structure, the range of WFNS programming opportunities for emerging writers and established authors, and how program, workshop, event, and resource information is presented on the WFNS website. Highlighted were major governance and program additions and improvements made between 2020 and 2025.

"A Definitive (Re-)Introduction to WFNS" was free to attend.

Click on the button below to view a PDF of this presentation. Any follow-up questions may be directed to contact@writers.ns.ca.

Click to view slides

A Definitive (Re-)Introduction to WFNS Read More »

Introducing the new Nova Writes Competition

Announcements, Program News

With thanks to everyone who completed our Nova Writes survey in September and October, we’re pleased to reveal the new shape of WFNS’s Nova Writes Competition for new and emerging writers!

No longer a competition “for unpublished manuscripts,” Nova Writes is now a competition for publication. An annual, printed Nova Writes anthology will feature the winning entries in each of four categories:

  • Budge Wilson Short Story Prize (2,500 to 5,000 words)
  • Nova Essay Prize (2,500 to 5,000 words)
  • Rita Joe Poetry Prize (1,250 to 2,500 words, or 10 to 20 pages)
  • Joyce Barkhouse Middle-Grade & YA Fiction Prize (2,500 to 5,000 words)

All entrants will still receive written developmental feedback from volunteer readers, and shortlisted and winning entrants will receive additional feedback from category judges. Each winning entrant will also meet (remotely) with the judge who selects them, gaining more insight on how to revise for publication in the anthology.

Additional changes:

  • Entry cap raised: You can now enter up to three short works in each category each year.
  • Entry fee lowered: We’ve dropped the fee to $26 for a single entry, $23 each for two entries, or $20 for three or more entries. Current General Members receive 25% off their total fee.
  • Residency requirement relaxed: All current residents of Nova Scotia are now eligible to enter, including out-of-province students and seasonal residents.

If you’re a new or emerging writer, check out the full competition details and put this year’s entry deadline in your calendar: January 16!

If you’re a more established author, please help us share the news of the newly renewed Nova Writes!

Introducing the new Nova Writes Competition Read More »

Call for Hal-Con 2024 Zine & Writing Prompts

Announcements

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) will be exhibiting at this year’s Hal-Con Sci-Fi & Fantasy Convention (Halifax Convention Centre, Nov 8 to 10, 2024). Our table will

  • highlight the Charles R. Saunders Prize and Charles’s legacy as the father of the sword-and-soul genre;
  • promote upcoming speculative writing workshops led by members of our Writers’ Council;
  • distribute a free zine of Nova Scotian speculative writing; and
  • distribute free, individually sealed “emergency” writing prompts by Nova Scotian speculative writers.

WFNS invites submissions for the Hal-Con zine and Hal-Con writing prompts from Nova Scotian writers of speculative genres (including but not limited to sci-fi, fantasy, and horror) who are 19 years of age or older. Previously published works and excerpts are welcome.

  • Hal-Con zine: Submit one piece/excerpt of unpublished or published speculative prose (up to 500 words) or poetry (up to 30 lines, including stanza breaks).
    • If excerpting from a longer work, please add a very brief introduction (up to 50 words) that includes the title of the longer work.
    • If excerpting from a published book, please include its publisher and publication year in the very brief introduction; please also ensure (a) your publication agreement permits re-printing of this length or (b) your publisher has granted permission for this re-print should you be selected.
  • Hal-Con writing prompts: Submit any number of original, unpublished, speculative-focused prompts (up to 50 words) to inspire, challenge, and/or bust writing blocks.

Compensation: Each selected zine and prompt contributor will see their name, website, and short bio published alongside their contribution(s) and will receive five printed copies of WFNS’s Hal-Con zine; a contributor-exclusive complete list of the selected writing prompts; and a free 2025 General Membership in the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (a $65 value).

Submissions closed on Oct 31 (11:59pm Atlantic)

For inclusion in WFNS’s Hal-Con 2024 zine & writing prompts

Submission form

Please enter the name you commonly use or publish under. This name will be published alongside any zine contribution or writing prompt.
This bio will be published alongside any zine contribution or writing prompt. It may be edited for clarity, brevity, or formatting (e.g., italicization of book titles).
Please enter a URL where readers can find more information about you, more of your writing, or a social media profile. This URL will be published alongside any zine contribution or writing prompt.
For office use only.
Must include city/town, province, and postal code. For office use only.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Upload a single submission, of no more than 500 words (prose) or 30 lines (poetry) excluding title, as a single .DOC or .PDF file.

If excerpting from a longer work, add a very brief introduction (up to 50 words) that includes the title of the longer work.

If excerpting from a published work, include its publisher and publication year in the introduction.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Upload any number of original, unpublished, speculative-focused writing prompts, each no more than 50 words, in a single .DOC or .PDF file.

Call for Hal-Con 2024 Zine & Writing Prompts Read More »

Introducing Dea Toivonen, Outreach & Social Coordinator

Announcements

Please join the staff and Board of Directors of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia in welcoming Dea Toivonen (they/them) into the newly created position of Outreach & Social Coordinator!

You may recognize Dea as the astute interviewer in the Author Spotlights published this August and September, which they conducted during their summer contract with WFNS as Program Officer, Arts Education. Dea also undertook the RBC Emerging Artists Residency at Jampolis Cottage in 2023/24, working on a collection of short fiction that explores contemporary loneliness and questing for queer and chosen family.

To the Outreach & Social Coordinator position, Dea brings their Honours Degree in Contemporary Studies and Creative Writing (University of King’s College); their background as a creative writer, artist, writing tutor, and teaching assistant living in Kjipuktuk; and their interest in the experiences and successes of emerging and early-career writers. 

Dea will work closely with Executive Director Oriana Duinker and the Board’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee in the coordination of WFNS’s equity, accessibility, and outreach initiatives. They will also be program lead of our Emerging Writers Prizes program, will head our social media communications, and will take over as primary interviewer in our Author Spotlight series.

Dea is committed to building literary and arts community on anti-oppressive frameworks and to creating spaces that support the literary voices of marginalized and underrepresented writers—and they’re excited to help expand WFNS’s capacities, to develop programs that serve writers of all backgrounds and experiences, and to build bridges with communities, individuals, and organizations throughout Nova Scotia. They are eager to hear what members are looking for in a local literary community, and you’re welcome to reach out to them at outreach@writers.ns.ca with suggestions and feedback.

Introducing Dea Toivonen, Outreach & Social Coordinator Read More »

Message on a Bottle 2024 winner & finalists

Announcements, Award News

Congratulations to the winner and three finalists in this year’s Message on a Bottle contest!

Winner:
Jamie Samson (Halifax)

Finalists:
Katherine Burris (Bible Hill)
Arianna Lehr (Halifax)
Darryl Whetter (Belliveau Cove)

Jamie’s poem, “The Fruit Bat,” will be published on the bottle label of Island Folk Cider House‘s new strawberry-and-banana cider. Jamie will receive $250 cash from WFNS and enjoy a six-pack of the new cider courtesy of Island Folk.

“The Fruit Bat”—both the poem and the eponymous cider—will be revealed at a Halifax launch in May. Details to come!

Message on a Bottle 2024 winner & finalists Read More »

Introducing Oriana Duinker, incoming Executive Director

Announcements

A message from Philip Moscovitch, Board President

A few months ago, we learned that Executive Director Marilyn Smulders would be retiring. Marilyn oversaw an extraordinary period in the Fed’s development and leaves behind her an organization on a solid financial footing, with record-high membership, a significantly expanded slate of innovative and accessible programs, and a positive public profile.

We wish Marilyn the best and hope she enjoys her retirement: a new home in Mahone Bay and opportunities to be with her family while also having more time for her own art practice with textiles.

And we are delighted and excited to introduce you to the new WFNS Executive Director, Oriana Duinker. Oriana is no stranger to WFNS, having worked closely with our staff — Marilyn, Andy, and Linda — over the past year, in her capacity as Executive Director of the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award organization (with an office directly upstairs from the Fed). She has even done some volunteer work at Jampolis Cottage, assisting last week with our first Jampolis Creative Writing Day Camp for youth and our first Summer Literary Soirée at the cottage, and she has some great ideas for the place. We are thrilled to have someone with her abilities and background joining us, and I am excited to work with her over the coming year.

But enough from me. I will turn it over to Oriana so she can introduce herself.

A message from Oriana Duinker, incoming Executive Director

Hi, everyone! I’m writing this message from Jampolis Cottage on a cozy, rainy day at the end of a bustling week of the first Jampolis summer day camp. As I reflect on the week I’ve spent in this beautiful setting, I am—in truth—overwhelmed: by the generosity of Neil and Jane through the gift of their summer home, by the creativity of our young campers, by the talents of the many writers I had the pleasure of meeting at our first (but certainly not last) Summer Literary Soirée, and by the knowledge that I am stepping into some very big shoes.

Having had the pleasure of working alongside Marilyn and the WFNS team during my time with Hackmatack, I’ve seen just how much can be accomplished by a small staff with a dedicated executive director. I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining WFNS in this capacity—and so very grateful to Marilyn for both her mentorship and the incredible work she has done for the writing community in our province.

In my work with Hackmatack, and in previous positions in various museums and other arts/culture organizations, I have always been drawn to programs that engage local communities with the arts. I don’t really consider myself a writer, but I’m creative in other ways: I’m a classical musician (French horn), I’m crafty (sewing), and I love to prepare food. Nevertheless, reading and storytelling have long been an integral part of my life, even more so now that I am a parent to two young book-lovers who share my longstanding enthusiasm for whimsical children’s literature.

I’m happiest when I can play a supporting role, working busily behind the scenes to support creators and facilitate opportunities to build community. It’s a cliché, but my door will always be open, and I invite you to drop in, call, or email me whenever you need anything. I look forward to connecting with each of you in the coming months and to supporting your writing however I can.

Starting August 21, Oriana Duinker can be reached at director@writers.ns.ca.

Introducing Oriana Duinker, incoming Executive Director Read More »

Launch of Island Folk’s Blowing Raspberries

Announcements, Award News

Please enjoy the unveiling of Island Folk Cider House‘s new cider, Blowing Raspberries! This cider takes its name from the poem by Hannah Vincent of Truro, NS, the winner of the Island Folk Micro-Writing Contest.

The Halifax launch was Tuesday, Apr 25 (starting 7pm), at Café Lara (2347 Agricola Street, Halifax). Attendees heard Hannah’s poem (as well as contest entries from six other entrants), read “Blowing Raspberries” from the gorgeous label of its eponymous cider, and sampled the cider’s notes of apple, raspberry, and rose petal. They also had the chance to order the cider from Island Folk Cider House, with next-day delivery offered to most of HRM.

"Blowing Raspberries" by Hannah Vincent, printed on Island Folk label designed by Alison Uhma

A very big thank you to Island Folk’s Jill McPherson, Mike Okell, and Alison Uhma—designer of the label on which “Blowing Raspberries” will appear—for partnering with the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia on this contest. Another very big thank you to Café Lara for their partnership in hosting the launch.

And congratulations to Hannah and to the remaining shortlisted writers: Barbara Lounder, Faith Farrell, Jamie Samson, and Sherry D. Ramsey!

Launch of Island Folk’s Blowing Raspberries Read More »

Program Reveal

Announcements, Program News

We warmly invited all WFNS members and the general public to join us on Zoom on Tuesday, Jan 31 (7pm), for the reveal of an entirely new program: the Jampolis Cottage Residency Program!

A year and a half in the making, the Jampolis Cottage Residency Program represents the permanent expansion of WFNS’s in-person activities beyond Halifax, a huge investment in emerging and established Nova Scotian writers, and a breadth of new opportunities for literary community-building and events.

The program reveal, emceed by WFNS President Sean Bedell, featured contributions from Jampolis Trust trustee Lisa Harries Schumann and from WFNS staff and board committee members.

Program Reveal Read More »

Presentation of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals

Announcements

On Sunday, November 27, the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia held an investiture ceremony for ten Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals.

These medals were created through the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia’s Office to honor 5,000 exceptional Nova Scotians who have given their time and talents in service to our community. WFNS was invited to nominate 10 individuals for the honour and chose recipients based on their service to the literary arts in Nova Scotia and to our organization.

The event was held at Jampolis Cottage in Avonport, NS, home of WFNS’s new Jampolis Cottage Residency Program.

Below are the citations for the 10 exceptional people presented with the honour.

Recipient Sylvia Parris Drumond
Recipient Mike Hamm
Recipient Thomas Raddall III
  • Through her generosity and love of poetry, writer Janet Barkhouse initiated the creation of a new Nova Scotian poetry award in 2020, since named in honor of the late Maxine Tynes, to recognize the best book of poetry written by a Nova Scotia author.

  • Gavin Brimer has nurtured the Atlantic Canadian children’s literature scene by investing and growing the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Literature, an annual book award named in honor of his late mother.

  • Sylvia Parris Drummond is the CEO of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, an important partner for the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. Her work in education and the community is rooted in core Afrocentric principles.

  • Known informally at the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia as “Madame Ambassador,” Sylvia Gunnery has played a crucial role at the Fed, by acting as a mentor, workshop instructor, author in Writer in the Schools, and president of the WFNS board. She epitomizes the spirit behind our motto: “writers helping writers.”

  • Mike Hamm and the staff at the local independently owned bookstore Bookmark made extraordinary efforts during the pandemic to keep people reading. During lockdown, the bookstore offered bicycle delivery and curbside pick-up. Writers are forever in their debt.

  • Co-manager of the independent bookstore Woozles, Suzy MacLean and her team likewise made a huge effort during the pandemic to put books in the hands of young people and to keep them reading during school closures and isolation from friends.

  • Canadian poet, ethnographer and essayist, Lorri Neilsen Glenn worked during her tenure as Writers’ Fed president to create and nurture a new prize for emerging women writers and writers of marginalized genders. Named for Elizabeth Venart, this prize will have a lasting legacy at the Writers’ Fed.

  • A former president of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Kim Pittaway led the organization back to a state of vitality and financial stability. And she did so while heading the ground-breaking MFA in Creative Non-fiction program at the University of King’s College.

  • With his father, the late Thomas Raddall, Thomas Raddall III has nurtured and sustained an important legacy for fiction writers in Atlantic Canada through the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, a $30,000 prize which provides “the gift of time and peace of mind.”

  • As a president of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia during the start of the lockdown in 2020, poet Matt Robinson helped the organization to adapt by pivoting online, and in so doing, allowed the WFNS to flourish and expand service to writers during an unprecedented time of change.

Presentation of Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals Read More »

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Simultaneous Submissions

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) administers some programs (and special projects) that involve print and/or digital publication of ‘selected’ or ‘winning’ entries. In most cases, writing submitted to these programs and projects must not be previously published and must not be simultaneously under consideration for publication by another organization. Why? Because our assessment and selection processes depends on all submitted writing being available for first publication. If writing selected for publication by WFNS has already been published or is published by another organization first, copyright issues will likely make it impossible for WFNS to (re-)publish that writing.

When simultaneous submissions to a WFNS program are not permitted, it means the following:

  • You may not submit writing that has been accepted for future publication by another organization.
  • You may not submit writing that is currently being considered for publication by another organization—or for another prize that includes publication.
  • The writing submitted to WFNS may not be submitted for publication to another organization until the WFNS program results are communicated. Results will be communicated directly to you by email and often also through the public announcement of a shortlist or list of winners. Once your writing is no longer being considered for the WFNS program, you are free to submit it elsewhere.
    • If you wish to submit your entry elsewhere before WFNS program results have been announced, you must first contact WFNS to withdraw your entry. Any entry fee cannot be refunded.

Prohibitions on simultaneous submission do not apply to multiple WFNS programs. You are always permitted to submit the same unpublished writing to multiple WFNS programs (and special projects) at the same time, such as the Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program, the Emerging Writers Prizes, the Jampolis Cottage Residency Program, the Message on a Bottle contest, the Nova Writes Competition, and any WFNS projects involving one-time or recurring special publications.

Recommended Experience Levels

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) recommends that participants in any given workshop have similar levels of creative writing and / or publication experience. This ensures that each participant gets value from the workshop⁠ and is presented with information, strategies, and skills that suit their career stage. The “Recommended experience level” section of each workshop description refers to the following definitions used by WFNS.

  • New writers: those with less than two years’ creative writing experience and/or no short-form publications (e.g., short stories, personal essays, or poems in literary magazines, journals, anthologies, or chapbooks).
  • Emerging writers: those with more than two years’ creative writing experience and/or numerous short-form publications.
  • Early-career authors: those with 1 or 2 book-length publications or the equivalent in book-length and short-form publications.
  • Established authors: those with 3 or 4 book-length publications.
  • Professional authors: those with 5 or more book-length publications.

Please keep in mind that each form of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and writing for children and young adults) provides you with a unique set of experiences and skills, so you might consider yourself an ‘established author’ in one form but a ‘new writer’ in another.

For “intensive” and “masterclass” creative writing workshops, which provide more opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback, the recommended experience level should be followed closely.

For all other workshops, the recommended experience level is just that—a recommendation—and we encourage potential participants to follow their own judgment when registering.

If you’re uncertain of your experience level with regard to any particular workshop, please feel free to contact us at communications@writers.ns.ca