Ashley Fortier

2019 CNFC/Humber Literary Review creative nonfiction contest short list revealed!

Thanks to everyone who submitted to this year’s CNFC/Humber Literary Review creative nonfiction contest. Our 2019 judge, Helen Humphreys, selected the following three pieces for the short list. The contest winner will be announced on June 14 at the CNFC annual conference in Vancouver, BC. Congrats to all the finalists! “Foreign Object,” by Deborah Elderhorst Deborah Elderhorst is an Australian-Canadian writer whose work has appeared in literary journals and anthology in Australia, New Zealand, and the US. Find her online at…

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Announcing the 2019 CNFC/Humber Literary Review contest long list!

Humber Literary Review and the Creative Nonfiction Collective Society are pleased to announce the long list for our 2019 creative nonfiction contest: “How to Become a Woman Carpenter,” by Marcia Braundy “Foreign Object,” by Deborah Elderhorst “All the Cake I Never Ate,” by Sierra Skye Gemma “Metamorphosis of My Mother,” by Carole Harmon “Algebra Lessons,” by sonja larsen “High Tension Line,” by Lina Lau “Leaving Saskatchewan,” by Melanie Mah “Fools Rush In,” by Julie Paul “Surfing, Not Drowning,” by Shannon…

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‘Give yourself the opportunity to find out how well you write’

Nancy O’Rourke was the winner of the 2018 CNFC creative nonfiction prize and will be one of the readers selecting the 2019 shortlist. Below she offers insight into the power of the CNF genre and words of encouragement for those hoping to submit this year. “The story need not be life shattering, or a grand tale, but it does need to remind the reader of something understood at a gut level.” CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR WINNING PIECE AND WHAT…

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Excerpts from past CNFC contest winners

2018 winner: “Descent into Darkness,” by Nancy O’Rourke Machetes. The weapons of choice. Crude weapons, many of them with blades stained dark by the blood of victims. Machetes used viciously in the streets, in markets, schools, and churches. Machetes used to maim and slaughter men, women and children. Machetes used by farmers, shop owners, teachers, and priests. Machetes used to kill strangers, neighbours and sometimes family members. * I’d only been reunited with the children of Kimihurura for two weeks.…

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Announcing the 2019 CNFC/Humber Literary Review Creative Nonfiction Contest

The Humber Literary Review and the Creative Nonfiction Collective Society (CNFC) have joined forces to bring you a Canada-wide creative nonfiction contest. CONTEST CLOSES February 14, 2019 at MIDNIGHT EST. Winners will be announced in June 2019 at the annual CNFC conference in Vancouver, BC. First prize includes payment of $750 and publication in The Humber Literary Review.  WHAT: Original previously unpublished creative nonfiction – maximum word length 3,000 words (no minimum). Literary journalism, memoir, the personal or lyric essay—all are welcome. WHO: The competition is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents…

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