Julia Stewart was Fredericton's "No Rules Librarian"

This happy face pin is a symbol of the way Julia loved to bring people together and get involved in her community. It started as a memory from her childhood, and has become an enduring memorial of the happiness she brought to others.

Meet our judges: Nancy Bauer

 

Nancy Bauer has published five novels and many stories and essays. A Great Cloud of Witnessing: Selected Arts Journalism of Nancy Bauer, collected and edited by Ian LeTourneau, was published by Chapel Street Editions last spring. This fall a collection of her stories, Hammering at the Door, will be published, also by CSE. Born in Massachusetts in 1934, Nancy came to New Brunswick in 1965 with UNB professor and writer Bill Bauer and their three children.

Meet our judges: AnnMarie MacKinnon

 

AnnMarie MacKinnon is a writer, editor and instructor. She has worked in both magazine and book publishing for more than two decades in a number of editorial and marketing positions. She was publisher and editor-in-chief for Geist, and has held staff positions at Visual Arts News, Edible Vancouver and Douglas & McIntyre. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from University of King's College in Halifax.

Meet our judges: Richard Davies

 

I was honoured to help judge the short story competition designed to pay tribute to the life of Julia Stewart who was a student in my English class at Acadia University. Canada has produced many exceptional short story writers. The winning short story in this competition is well written and provocative, and a worthy winner. I regret not being in Fredericton to hear it being read and to congratulate the author. Keep writing!

Meet our judges: Jon Holt

 

 Jon Holt is a Dad to 3 daughters and loving Husband. He's an artist and wanna be writer. He loves Libraries, dogs and wrestling. While our life is busy, I try my best at all times to keep it as simple as possible.

Julia Stewart inspired me to push beyond what I ever thought I would be capable of and if I can encourage anyone in a similar way, I will be forever happy. She inspired and helped so many. It was an honour to judge a contest in her memory. I can only hope I did her justice, she was the best of all of us.

Awards Presentation

 Julia Stewart Memorial Short Story Contest

Awards Presentation

Saturday, October 18, 2025

4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Gallery 78

796 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB

Light refreshments will be served.

Reception to follow at Charlotte St. Arts Center from 6:00 to 11:00 pm.

RSVP jsmcontest@gmail.com

Judging is complete

The judges have read and reread your submissions. They have chosen their favourites and discussed them with their fellow judges. They have agree on and notified the winners. There will be four prizes (including one honorable mention) awarded at an event, tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2025.

We are in the process of finalizing details for this awards event, and will confirm time and venue before the end of September. Hope to see you there!

Julia and Heather circa 1972