Spotlight: 2026 Judge Fawn Parker

Fawn Parker is a writer and researcher from Toronto. Her most recent novel Hi, It's Me was published by McClelland & Stewart in 2024 and was a finalist for the Writer's Trust Atwood Gibson Prize. Her debut poetry collection Soft Inheritance was awarded the JM Abraham Atlantic Book Award and the Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize. Fawn is the Poet Laureate of Fredericton and a PhD candidate at the University of New Brunswick.

 

Spotlight: 2026 Judge Robin Stuart-Kotze

Robin Kotze is a prolific reader and writes short stories for fun. During his diverse and illustrious career, he has been a university professor, investment banker, international consultant, and a researcher who authored a number of business management books.

Robin is a long time friend of the Stewart family – Cathy, Kennedy, Evan, and Julia – and is now retired in Fredericton.

Spotlight: 2026 Judge Heather Coll

Heather Coll is an avid reader, a passionate sports enthusiast, a thoughtful critic, and a supporter of emerging writers. A proud graduate of Edgehill School for Girls (Class of 1956), she has been deeply involved in the arts, music, and community service, including a founding member of the Association of Young Children of Nova Scotia and a volunteer and board member of the Head Start Program.

Heather’s professional career included roles at CIBC in various locations throughout Nova Scotia. After moving to Truro to raise her family, she helped develop and manage Muskol Lures, a division of Muskol Inc.

Heather has been a lifetime enthusiast, participant, contributor, and performer through her music. Notably, she served for a number of years on the board and as president of the New Glasgow Music Festival, helping to enrich the local arts scene.

A lifelong lover of literature, Heather has been a member of a number of book clubs, one of such clubs for over 20 years. Heather also enjoys the camaraderie of the Harbour Hookers rug-hooking community. 

She and her late husband, Chuck, raised three children in Truro. She is now enjoying spending time with her children, their spouses and her six grandchildren. She loves gardening and travelling with her family, enjoying life along the Northumberland Strait.

As a cherished godmother of Julia Stewart, Heather is deeply honoured and pleased to support this competition as a tribute to Julia’s memory. 

Contest Open

Happy New Year! The 2026 Julia Stewart Memorial Short Story Contest is now open for submissions. The contest closes at midnight Atlantic time on July 5, 2026.

If you are an unpublished author who lives in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, we invite you to submit a short story up to 1500 words. You must be at least 16 years of age to enter.

Please read our submission guidelines and F.A.Q. before entering. Send any questions to jsmcontest@gmail.com