Complete information @ https://rclas.com/2025-fred-cogswell-award/

WordPlay is coming up Feb 19, a free drop-in writing session with Alan Hill

Unleash your creativity!

 Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
 Artist: Alan Hill 
 Project: WordPlay New West
 Time: 7:00 PM to 9 PM
 Location: təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, Multi-purpose Room 2, 

     65 E Sixth Ave, New Westminster

Join local poet Alan Hill for a fun, casual evening of writing. Select your favourite writing tools (pen & paper or phone). Writing prompts will be provided.

The event is free, no registration required and no experience necessary.

In Partnership with Arts New West, City Of New Westminster & Royal City Literary Arts Society

2025 WRITE ON! CONTEST WINNERS
$150 first prize $100 second prize $75 third prize

Congratulations to all our finalists! Thank you to everyone who submitted!

POETRY WINNERS (Poetry Judge: CHELSEA COMEAU)
Poetry First Place: Jessica Lee McMillan – GILLNET
Poetry Second Place: Angela Rebrec – Spring Skiing
Poetry Third Place: Diana Hayes – J.J. and Oakley, Gone

Poetry Honourable Mentions
Anna Eastland – Grapefruit Spoons
Diana Hayes – In the Garden with P.K.
KJ MacMillan – In the Blinding Light, Dancing

NON-FICTION WINNERS (Non-Fiction Judge: J.G. CHAYKO)
Non-Fiction First Place:
Cathalynn Labonté-Smith – HOW TO EAT SUET AND OFFAL AND LOVE IT
Non-Fiction Second Place: Mark LeBourdais – Lizard Brain
Non-Fiction Third Place: Percy Du Hamel – It Is a Long Trip There

Non-Fiction Honourable Mentions
Bryan Cousineau – The Ring
Kim Harrison – The Connie Years
Emily Deegan – Juxtaposition

FICTION WINNERS (Fiction Judge: SHARON MCINNES)
Fiction First Place: Edie Reaney Chunn – ENTRIES
Fiction Second Place: Joanne E. Betzler – Gun Control
Fiction Third Place: Amber Fenik – Bus Fare

Fiction Honourable Mentions
MJ Malleck – Spring Chore
Laurel Howe – Granny’s Chair
Lesley Hebert – Snapshots of the Past

Bridging the Gap 2025
RCLAS Co-operative Poem, National Poetry Month, April 2025
© 2025 by the poets
Compiled by Janet Kvammen, New Westminster Poet Laureate  

18 contributing poets in order of appearance: 

  Candice James   Alan Girling
   Jerena Tobiasen
   Susan McCaslin
   Jessica Lee McMillan
   Angus Pratt
   Karen McLaughlin Freeborn
   Cynthia Sharp
   Isabella Mori
   Julia Schoennagel
   Chelsea Comeau
   Emily Molinari
   Jude Neale
   Jennifer Getsinger
   Angela Kenyon
   H.W. Bryce
   Alan Hill
  Janet Kvammen

New Membership & Renewals here:

New and Renewing Members