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Programs
Nova Writes Competition
Entries are open for our 49th annual Nova Writes Competition, open to emerging writers (and those emerging in their forms of entry) who are current NS residents. All entries receive feedback. Winning entries in each category will be published in the 2026 Nova Writes Anthology.
Extended deadline: Enter by Jan 22
Programs
Ellemeno Visual Literature Prize
Submissions are open for our third annual celebration of creative cross-pollination between the written and the visual. Polish your literary writing (that responds to, incorporates, or creatively ‘translates’ visual artwork) or your visual piece (that responds to, incorporates, or creatively ‘translates’ literary work)—or create something new!
Deadline extended: submit by Jan 22
Programs
Micro-Anthology Series
Submissions are open for our inaugural micro-anthology, Nova Swoons! Published in February and distributed to readers for free, it will feature romance micro-fiction and excerpts from longer romance fiction works by Nova Scotian writers. Previously published writing is welcome.
Submit by Jan 22
Jampolis Cottage
Oliver-Craig Black Writers' Retreat
Apply to work with mentor Chad Lucas at Jampolis Cottage this summer! Successful applicants receive $250, along with free room and board.
Apply by Feb 12
Jampolis Cottage
Sponsored Residencies
Apply for a free, private writing residency (one to four weeks in length) at Jampolis Cottage! Each successful applicant receives a $2000 honorarium. Low-residency and split-residency options are available.
Apply by Feb 12

Upcoming WFNS Workshops & Events

Winter 2026 workshops will open for registration starting on Dec 1

All Workshops
& Events
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Experience Levels

The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS) uses the following terms to describe writers’ experience levels:

  • 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, writing for children, writing for 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.

Occasionally, WFNS uses the phrase “emerging and established writers/authors” to mean ‘writers and authors of all experience levels.’

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 info, strategies, and skills that suit their experience. 

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 uncertain about your experience level with respect to any particular workshop, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]