The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) has announced the titles shortlisted for the 11th annual New Brunswick Book Awards.

The Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing

• Jennifer McGrath, The Pony and the Starling; Kristina Jones, illus. (Groundwood Books)
• Riel Nason, The Little Ghost Quilt’s Winter Surprise; Byron Eggenschwiler, illus. (Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada)
• Kimothy Stewart, Morgan Moose; Airen MacMaster, illus. (Monster House)

Books for Youth and Young Adult Award

• Thomas Chamberlain, Happenstance (Galleon Books)
• Erik Gingles, The Nomies & The Surface Protocol (Independent)
• Evan Jones, What to Do if You Don’t Know What to Do: A Guide to Finding Your Purpose, Redefining Your Goals, and Creating a Better Life (FriesenPress)

The Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize

• Rebecca Salazar, antibody (McClelland & Stewart)
• Ian LeTourneau, metadata from a changing climate (Gaspereau Press)
• Nick Thran, Existing Music (Nightwood Editions)

Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick Nonfiction Award

• Bruce Hughes, A Stroke of Luck: Music, Medicine and a Miraculous Recovery (Purple Porcupine Publishing)
• Karissa Donkin, Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game (Goose Lane Editions)
• Ian LeTourneau, ed., A Great Cloud of Witnessing: The Arts Journalism of Nancy Bauer (Chapel Street Editions)

Mrs. Dunster’s Award for Fiction

• Pierre C. Arseneault, Something Happened in Carlton (Artemesia Publishing)
• Michael Simon, Extinction (Podium Publishing)
• Robert Stutt, Puppet (Merlin Star Press)

The New Brunswick Book Awards are open to traditionally published and independently published authors who have lived in the province for three of the last five years, including the award year.

The winners will be announced at a free public awards ceremony on May 30, as part of WFNB’s annual WordSpring writing festival in Saint John, New Brunswick.