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Monday 10am - 3pm Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 3pm

Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia

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Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia

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WFNS fosters creative writing and the profession of writing in the Province of Nova Scotia.

10/28/2026

👢 FILL YOUR BOOTS CAMP (Halifax)

Styled after our Creative Writing Day Camps for youth and teens, this weekend camp will feature back-to-back workshops with five local authors: Carol Bruneau, Tom Ryan, Jessica Scott Kerrin, Tiffany Morris, and Margo Wheaton.

Our adult camps are designed to help participants think faster, deeper, zanier, and further outside of their comfort zones. You’ll learn from some of WFNS’s best workshop instructors and rediscover the fun of writing.

✍️Writers and authors of all experience levels are welcome

📆 Dates of 3-day camp: Friday, Nov 27 (9:30am to 3:30pm) + Saturday, Nov 28 (9:30am to 3:30pm) + Sunday, Nov 29 (9:30am to 12:00pm)

📍Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (1113 Marginal Rd, Halifax), a wheelchair-accessible venue with wheelchair-accessible, all-gender washrooms.

🎟️ $300 for WFNS members & non-members

🔗 To register and learn more, visit writers.ns.ca/workshops-events/fill-yer-boots-camp-halifax-nov-2026/

10/21/2026

10/16/2026

We're once again open for applications for Self-Directed Retreats at Jampolis Cottage!

Self-Directed Retreats (one or two weeks in length) are open to Nova Scotian, Canadian, and international writers. Applicants should apply in creative groups (of two to five) but may also apply as solo writers. Self-Directed Retreats are private and provided at-cost: a base rate of $550 per week + $150 per week per creative resident.

We are now booking for Self-Directed Retreats taking place from January 24 to May 22, 2027.

📆 Apply by October 22

🔗 writers.ns.ca/jampolis/self-directed/

10/16/2026

Check out the 2026 Booktoberfest photo album! A huge thanks to our event sponsor Support4Culture for the wonderful photos and for their support.

10/08/2026

📣 Emerging writers! We’re giving you an EXTRA WEEK to submit your applications to the Alistair MacLeod Mentorship program!

We’re offering four full scholarship seats in the program this year:
📝 Budge Wilson Scholarship (for writers 55+)
📝 Cynthia French Scholarship (for poets)
📝 Two WFNS scholarships (for all applicants)

🗓️ Applications are now due on October 15.

🔗 Details and application form: writers.ns.ca/programs/macleod-mentorships/apply

10/08/2026

Need a little more time to pull together your application for our three Emerging Writers prizes?

We’ve got you!

We’ve extended the deadline by one week: applications will be accepted until OCTOBER 15!

🔗 For details, visit writers.ns.ca/programs/emerging-writers-prizes/submission-guidelines/

10/01/2026

Presenting the inaugural edition of Blue Lobster Detective Agency, WFNS’s micro-anthology of crime & mystery fiction by Nova Scotian writers!

For this micro-anthology, we welcomed submissions of crime & mystery micro-fiction and excerpts from longer crime & mystery fiction (up to 750 words) written by current residents of Nova Scotia, regardless of their writing or publication experience.

We launched Blue Lobster Detective Agency at Crime Will Tell at the Halifax Central Library on September 12. Thank you to all who attended and especially the contributors who read their submissions!

🔗 You can download your free digital copy at writers.ns.ca/product/blue-lobster-detective-agency-2026

A limited number of print copies are also available for order (at the cost of shipping) while quantities last.

Blue Lobster Detective Agency features works by:
🔍 Ken Beatty
🔍 N.L. Blandford
🔍 Sonja Boon
🔍 Tiffany Briand Boudreau
🔍 Gillian Cormier
🔍 Grace Costa
🔍 Lindsey Harrington
🔍 Lex Lynn
🔍 Erin MacKinnon
🔍 Sunil Sarwal
🔍 Cathy Spencer
🔍 Chris Turner
🔍 Steve Vernon

09/23/2026

📢 Publishers and authors!

It's that time of year when we're asking you to submit your recently-published books to the Nova Scotia and Atlantic Book Awards!

Books written by Nova Scotian & Atlantic Canadian authors that have been published between November 2, 2025 and November 1, 2026 may be eligible for one of the following awards administered by WFNS:

📖 Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award
$30,000 prize for a book of fiction that was written by a full-time resident of Atlantic Canada.

📖 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature
$5,000 prize for a book of fiction or nonfiction that was written for young readers by a full-time resident of Atlantic Canada. This year we are accepting middle grade and young adult books.

📖 J.M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award
$2,000 prize for a book of poetry that was written by a full-time resident of Atlantic Canada.

📖 Evelyn Richardson Non-Fiction Award
$2,000 prize for a nonfiction book by a Nova Scotian author.

📖 Maxine Tynes Nova Scotia Poetry Award
$2,000 prize for a poetry book by a Nova Scotian author.

🗓️ The deadline to submit books is Sunday, NOVEMBER 1, 2026.

For details on how to submit to these five awards, visit: writers.ns.ca/programs/book-awards/submission-guidelines

For a detailed guide on how to submit to all book awards available to Nova Scotian and Atlantic Canadian authors, please consult our Book Awards Submissions Guide: writers.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Book-Award-Submission-Guide-2027.pdf

09/17/2026

There’s a new (but familiar!) face around the Fed these days. has joined the WFNS team as our new part-time Events Coordinator starting this fall. A previous Summer Program Officer in 2021 & 2022, we’re pleased pleased to have them back in the office on a permanent basis. Welcome K.R.!

09/17/2026

Address

1113 Marginal Road
Halifax, NS
B3H4P7

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 3pm
Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm

Telephone

+19024238116

Website

https://writers.ns.ca/

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