Shortlists announced for the New Brunswick Book Awards

Earlier this month, the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) announced the shortlisted titles for the 9th annual New Brunswick Book Awards. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Saturday, June 1, as part of WFNB’s annual WordSpring writing festival in Moncton. The program will celebrate books published in the 2023 calendar year in the categories of poetry, fiction, non-fiction and children’s picture books. The finalists for the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children's Writing are listed below.

Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children’s Writing

Apli’kmuj’s Journey, written and illustrated by Braelyn Cyr (Monster House Publishing)

Moonbeam, written by Gail Francis, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Monster House Publishing)

The Little Books of the Litte Brontës, written by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Briony May Smith (Tundra Books)

Children's/YA author Valerie Sherrard also has two books shortlisted in the fiction and non-fiction categories. Her YA free-verse novel, Standing on Neptune (DCB Young Readers), is shortlisted for the Mrs. Dunster’s Award for Fiction, and More than Words: Navigating the Complex World of Communication, which she co-authored with Natalie Hyde and features illustrations by David Jardine, has been shortlisted for the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick Nonfiction Award.

The New Brunswick Book Awards are open to traditionally published and self-published authors who have lived in the province for three of the last five years, including the award year. The awards program is administered by the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB), which for more than 30 years has passionately supported the development of New Brunswick writers at all stages of development.

The live awards ceremony will take place during WFNB’s annual writing festival, WordSpring, on June 1 from 6 to 9 pm. The free event is open to the public and will take place at the Moncton Press Club (160 Assomption Blvd). Hosted by Jonna Brewer, host of CBC’s Information Morning Moncton, the evening will include nibbles and a cash bar, with reception entertainment provided by Chris Colepaugh. The guest speaker for the evening will be Pamela Mullinger, co-publisher of EDIT magazine.

For the complete shortlist, visit wfnb.ca.