Nova Writes (formerly the Atlantic Writing Competition) is an annual program designed to honour work by unpublished writers in Nova Scotia. Entry is open to writers unpublished in the category of writing they wish to enter. Prizes are presented at the Celebration of Emerging Writers in the spring.
The Nova Writes Competition for Unpublished Manuscripts supports the development of writers unpublished in the writing category they enter in the program. Emerging writers throughout Nova Scotia may submit work in five categories: short form creative non-fiction, poetry, short story, writing for children/young adult novel, and French language (short form poetry or prose). Established writers are also eligible but may only enter a category of writing that is new to them.
Submissions will be accepted starting November 1, 2019. Complete submissions must be submitted to the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia no later than January 3, 2020. Please note that all submissions must be digital. If you are not technically adept, please seek assistance from a friend or family member or your local library branch.
Categories
This year, the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia has decided to focus on shorter forms for its Nova Writes Competition. While we will no longer be accepting work in the long form categories, we encourage writers working on book-length works of fiction, creative non-fiction, or children’s literature to consider submitting an excerpt of their work in one of the other categories.
Eligibility
- Nova Writes is open to full-time residents of Nova Scotia who have lived in the province since September 1 immediately prior to the submission deadline date. ***Please note that out-of-province college/university students are not considered residents for the purposes of this competition. Residency refers to permanent residency (i.e., you file your taxes in Nova Scotia.)
- Entries must be the original, unpublished work of the writer (publishing includes posting online), and must not have been accepted for publication, submitted elsewhere, or entered into another competition at the time of entry nor during the course of the competition. Once the results have been revealed, you are free to submit your piece elsewhere. If you do decide to submit during the competition, you must contact the WFNS to withdraw your piece. Your entry fee will not be refunded.
- Writers may not submit an entry to a prize category in which they have published a standalone book or more than three shorter works in recognized anthologies or periodicals. High school or university anthologies do not count against your total.
- Writers may not submit more than one entry per prize category, but may submit to more than one category. NOTE: Each entry requires its own entry form and registration fee.
Please check website for more details.