Book launch of Where Did i Go? (OC Publishing) a memoir plus by Francene Gillis. A book dealing with head injuries, concussion and whiplash, as well as other injuries when the unexpected happens. It includes narrative, expert advice, lots of visuals and quotations and humour to uplift, inspire, and help those dealing with hardship and invisible injuries. A must read!
Francene Gillis launches Where Did i Go? Read More »
Are you considering publishing a novel, a book of poetry, a children’s book – a book of any kind?
Unsure if you want to approach a traditional publisher or take the self-publishing path?
During this workshop, presented by N.L. Blandford, you will learn and discuss:
– A comparison of the independent publishing industry and traditional publishing
– Advantages of being an independent author
– An overview of how to independently publish
– Some resources available to independent authors
– My mistakes and learnings as an independent author
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: call the Margaret Hennigar Library at 902 543-9222
Intro to Self-Publishing Read More »
Read by the Sea is a summer literary festival featuring readings by outstanding Canadian authors. The festival includes WordPlay, a fun-filled mini festival for children of all ages; OnWords, an event for middle-grade and young adult readers; Wordstock, a series of literary and storytelling shenanigans; and Main Stage, a day of author readings and Q&A.
June 20, 2025
June 21, 2025
We do hope you’ll come out to meet these fabulous Canadian authors and show your support! Thanks to Indigo, Chapters, and Coles (Coles Highland Square) for agreeing to be our event bookseller once again!
More announcements will start being made very quickly now, we just wanted to ensure those eager readers had as much time as possible to read the authors’ books in advance!
Read by the Sea Literary Festival Read More »
Guest author Marjorie Simmins will join us to discuss her new book, In Search of Puffins. This is in addition to the rest of our members presenting their books. Everyone is welcome, but only those who present books can take one at night’s end.
Our book club is unique. Please read the following:
Our Book Club aims to promote local authors, their books, and the writing of reviews. #supportlocalauthors
Locally Authored Book Club Exchange Read More »
Attend our virtual AGM, chaired by WFNS President Joanne Gallant, to hear from WFNS’s staff and outgoing Board of Directors, review the annual financial statements and the recent changes to our Writers’ Council eligibility, and get up-to-date on our newest programming.
WFNS Annual General Meeting Read More »
This is a book launch for a new mystery set in Nova Scotia: Bind. We’ll do a reading, have a quiz, eat some munchies, and sell a book or two. But mostly we’ll have fun.
donalee Moulton’s first mystery book, Hung out to Die, was published in 2023. A historical mystery, Conflagration!, was published in 2024. It won the 2024 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense (Historical Fiction). donalee has two new books coming out in 2025, Bind and Melt, the first in a new series, the Lotus Detective Agency. A short story “Swan Song” was one of 21 selected for publication in Cold Canadian Crime. It was shortlisted for an Award of Excellence. Other short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines. donalee’s short story “Troubled Water” was shortlisted for a 2024 Derringer Award and a 2024 Award of Excellence from the Crime Writers of Canada. donalee is an award-winning freelance journalist. She has written articles for print and online publications across North America including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Lawyer’s Daily, National Post, and Canadian Business. As well, donalee is the author of The Thong Principle: Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say and co-authored the book, Celebrity Court Cases: Trials of the Rich and Famous.
The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia office is a wheelchair-accessible venue with a wheelchair-accessible, non-gendered washroom. For assistance finding the WFNS office door, see our map of the area.
Deadline for expressions-of-interest to join one or more of WFNS’s Board Committees.
Call for committee members Read More »
Join community poetry journal Open Heart Forgery at Halifax Central Library in the RBC Room (3rd floor) for an afternoon of poetry! You’re invited to bring your own poetry to share (max. 5 minutes at the mic per person), or simply come to listen and enjoy.
Face masks are welcome but not required, and you may also bring a drink or snack if you wish. Copies of the June 2025 issue of Open Heart Forgery will be available to take home.
If you plan on reading/performing your work, please aim to arrive a few minutes early to add your name to the sign-up sheet — just look for our MC, Janet Brush, who will have a clipboard and list on hand.
Open Heart Forgery Poetry Open Mic Read More »
Join author/illustrator Emma FitzGerald (Hand Drawn Halifax, EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street) in beautiful LaHave for a hands-on exploration of what makes a good picture book. Gain valuable insights into both the creative process and business aspects. For both published and aspiring picture books writers, illustrators and writer/illustrators. Useful for graphic novel creators, also.
COST: $132 includes HST & supplies ($115 if registered before June 1st)
Times include a 45-minute lunch break
12 participants maximum
For registration/payment information email emma@emmafitzgerald.ca
Writing & Illustrating Picture Books workshop with Emma FitzGerald Read More »
Stories of survival, travel, finding home and family, and strengthening democracy – these are the subjects of new books by four graduates of the University of King’s College Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction program who will be celebrated during the Ninth Donald Sedgwick Reading Series.
Please join us for this annual reading series, named for the MFA program’s co-founder, former publisher, agent, and publishing instructor Donald Sedgwick. This year’s featured readers are:
Gwen Lamont, The View From Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed (The Ginger Press)
James MacDuff and Mirriam Mweemba, The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate (Pottersfield Press)
Bonny Reichert, How to Share an Egg: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty (Appetite by Random House)
Jo-Ann Roberts, Storm the Ballot Box: An Insider’s Guide to a Voting Revolution (Nimbus)
The authors will discuss their books after the readings and the King’s Co-op Bookstore will have copies of the featured books for sale and signing.
Please note: This is an after-hours event. Attendees can access the program through the back or side doors of the Library (outside Paul O’Regan Hall).
In partnership with the University of King’s College and King’s Co-op Bookstore
King’s MFA Residency Event: Ninth Donald Sedgwick Reading Series Read More »
The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) uses the following terms to describe writers’ experience levels:
Please keep in mind that each form of creative writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, and others) 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.
The “Recommended experience level” section of each workshop description refers to the above definitions. A workshop’s participants should usually 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.
For “intensive” and “masterclass” 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
