Minor typos and formatting issues will more than likely not affect the judges' decisions, but at this time we will allow you to resubmit your story with minor changes. If you are submitting an entire new story, you will have to pay another entry fee.
3. Can I make changes to my submission after I submit?
Yes, you can resubmit the same story for no fee up to three times, until the deadline.
2. Is there a genre restriction?
Stories can be in any genre, intended for an adult audience,
and will be judged for creativity and writing quality. Only short prose
fiction will be accepted. Poetry submissions will not be accepted. Stories for
children will not be accepted.
You can find all of our frequently asked questions here: F.A.Q.s
If you have any questions about our contest, please don't hesitate to email us at jsmcontest@gmail.com
This is the most asked question about the contest. Our goal is to support and encourage new or late-blooming writers who are trying to become established as authors, so it might make sense to change our wording to "emerging authors". For now, here is our definition of "unpublished author".
1. Can you clarify what you mean by "unpublished
author"?
For this contest, being an unpublished author means:
a) That you have not published a single work of fiction over
10,000 words for payment, in any form.
b) That you have not had more than 3 works of fiction under
10,000 words selected for publication for payment, by a publisher other than
the author, in any form.
You ARE still eligible if:
a) You have self-published a novel or novella but have not
sold any copies.
b) You have self-published short fiction on your own
personal platform.
c) You have published short fiction with a third party
publication but did not receive payment.
d) You have won a prize for this or another contest. Being
published as a contest winner does not count unless you were paid specifically
for publication of your story.
You can find all of our frequently asked questions here: F.A.Q.s
If you have any questions about our contest, please don't hesitate to email us at jsmcontest@gmail.com
Last year, the majority of entries in our contest came from Fredericton, where the contest originates. I am hoping to spread the word to writers throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. You can help by downloading and sharing the flyer at the link below.
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.
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.
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.