The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) announced the shortlisted titles for the 11th annual New Brunswick Book Awards on April 2. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Saturday, May 30, as part of WFNB’s annual WordSpring writing festival in Saint John. The program celebrates books published in the 2025 calendar year. The finalists for the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing and the Books for Youth and Young Adult Award are listed below.
Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing
Sponsored by the Kitts Family
The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise, written by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler (Tundra Books)
Morgan Moose Visits New Brunswick Provincial Parks!, written by Kimothy Stewart, illustrated by Airen MacMaster (Monster House Publishing)
The Pony and the Starling, written by Jennifer McGrath, illustrated by Kristina Jones (Groundwood Books)
Books for Youth and Young Adult Award
Sponsored by the JD Irving, Ltd.
Happenstance, written by Thomas Chamberlain (Galleon Books)
The Nomies & the Surface Protocol, written by Erik Gringles (G Five)
What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose, Redefining Your Goals, and Creating a Better Life, written by Evan Jones (FriesenPress)
The New Brunswick Book Awards are open to traditionally published and self-published authors who have lived in the province for three of the last five years, including the award year.
The awards program is administered by the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB), which for more than 40 years has passionately supported the development of home-grown writers at all stages of development.
The live awards ceremony will take place at Lily Lake Pavilion in Saint John on May 30 from 6-9 pm, as part of WFNB’s annual writing festival, WordSpring. The event is free and open to the public. Hosted by Julia Wright, the evening will include nibbles and a cash bar, with reception entertainment provided by local musician Joseph Albert. The guest speaker for the evening will be comedian, journalist and author, James Mulliger.
For the complete shortlist, visit wfnb.ca.