WordSpring 2026
Schedule
Fri, 29 May, 2026 at 03:00 pm to Sun, 31 May, 2026 at 03:30 pm
UTC-03:00Location
Crowne Plaza Saint John, and Lily Lake Pavilion, Saint John | Saint John, NB
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This year, all events for WordSpring take place in Saint John, hosted by the wonderful staff at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.The tenth annual NB Book Awards--which is a free event, and open to the public-- will be held on Saturday evening at Lily Lake Pavilion. Our guest speaker is comedian and author, James Mullinger.
We have a great lineup of workshops for you to enjoy, including the accomplished Robert J. Sawyer, internationally-acclaimed science fiction writer, who will present both a keynote address on Saturday morning, and a Masterclass. His keynote is entitled, Facing the Future: New Horizons in Publishing, What it Means to be a Writer, and the Promise and Peril of AI. Robert's Masterclass will follow his keynote address, entitled, Combing the Intimately Human with the Grandly Cosmic: The Keys to Writing Science Fiction that Appeals to Both the Heart and the Mind.
Schedule:
Friday May 29, 2026
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Welcome! Get settled, meet and greet your fellow writers, and participate in the Open Mic and book launch readings Welcome! Open Mic and book launch readings in the Bay Room. Merch table, Coffee/tea/refreshment
····DINNER ON YOUR OWN····
6:00 pm -6:45 pm
NB Writing Competition Literary Soiree Reception (cash bar),
Open to the Public
Top of the Town, Crowne Plaza
Music By: Brent Mason
6:45 pm
Welcome by the board
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Award Readings and Reception
Saturday May 30, 2026
8:00 am
Breakfast (complimentary for Crowne Plaza guests)
9:00 - 9:45 am
Keynote Address
Robert J. Sawyer - Facing the Future: New Horizons in Publishing, What it Means to be a Writer, and the Promise and Peril of AI
10:00 am — 12 pm:
Workshops
Robert J. Sawyer, Sci-fi Masterclass - Combing the Intimately Human with the Grandly Cosmic: The Keys to Writing Science Fiction that Appeals to Both the Heart and the Mind
OR
Rebecca Carrigan (pen name, Becca Blue) - MARKETING VS PUBLICITY—Real-World Promotion Strategies for Indie Authors
--LUNCH BUFFET, NOON TO 1:30 PM--
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Workshops
Joe Mahoney - Record your own Audiobooks
OR
Akilah Walcott - Page-to-Stage Poetry and Performance
--DINNER ON YOUR OWN--
Join us to celebrate the eleventh annual
NB Book Awards!
6:00 pm - 9:00pm
Lily Lake Pavilion,
Saint John
May 30, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The NB Book Awards Reception
Music by Joseph Albert
WordSpring 2026 - Marjorie Simmons
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Live ceremony Host: TBA
Keynote: James Mullinger
Book Table : The Write Cup Bookstore Café
Trophies provided by: Glass Roots Inc.
Sunday May 31, 2026
8:00 am
Breakfast (complimentary for Crowne Plaza guests)
9:30 am -11:30am
Workshops
Anastasios (Tommy) Mihalopoulos - Retelling Myth and Fairy Tales (sponsored by)
OR
Lesley Choyce - The craft of fiction
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Pitch the Publisher
Organized and hosted by WFNB member Andrea Kikuchi.
Checklist for Members
Make sure you didn't forget to register for anything with limited space!
Did you sign up for the Meet and Greet, Open mic and Book Launch?
Did you register for Pitch the Publisher on Sunday afternoon, if you'd like to participate? This event will be coordinated by WFNB member Andrea Kikuchi, and there will be a strict time limit on presentations.
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Where is it happening?
Crowne Plaza Saint John, and Lily Lake Pavilion, Saint John, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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