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Winter in the Bay

Do you have a real-life story you’d like to share about life in St. Margaret’s Bay during the winter? Even though our nonfiction contest closed on February 15, you can still share your stories.

Are you a writer or aspiring writer who wants to try your hand at writing fiction? Our fiction writing contest closes on March 15, so why not sit down and do a little writing? We’d love to read your story!

Do you appreciate the chance to enjoy works by local artists? All the works on exhibit throughout February at the Community Enterprise Centre will remain here for you to enjoy online all through March. See a work you like? If it isn’t marked SOLD, reach out, and we’ll connect you with the artist.

Winter in the Bay is a new community program celebrating creativity—and winter—with an art and quilt exhibit and a writing contest. It’s a partnership between:Winter in the Bay Sponsors

Art and Quilt Exhibit

The Winter in the Bay art and quilt exhibit, courtesy of artist members of the Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts and local quilters, is available to enjoy online here from February 1 to March 31.

Works of art will also be displayed on the St. Margaret’s Bay Community Enterprise Centre’s regular gallery walls from February 1 to 28. Under current Covid protocols, members of the public may stop by the Community Enterprise Centre at 5229 St. Margaret’s Bay Road, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., where the art is available to view. Covid precautions, including masks, hand sanitizing, symptom screening and maximum number of visitors, apply.

Works are available to buy in person or online by emailing winterinthebay@gmail.com. However, we would be grateful if buyers would agree to leave the purchased works in the exhibit until February 28. We will clearly mark purchased items as SOLD.

Writing Contest & Story Sharing

WRITING CONTEST

The Winter in the Bay writing contest is looking for two types of entries, short first-person essays/personal reflections, and fictional short stories.

Both types of entries must be set in or refer to life in St. Margaret’s Bay during the winter months, and should be inspired by or illustrated by one of the pieces of art or quilts on display in the Winter in the Bay Art and Quilt Show. You don’t need to say how the artwork inspired your essay or story, but you may if you wish.

The contest has three age categories for essays and short stories:
10 to 12 years old
13 to 17 years old
Adult (18 and older)

We want your fictional short stories

Community members are invited to submit their original fictional short stories by email to winterinthebay@gmail.com as follows:
1. The deadline for submission is Monday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m.
2. Short stories must be no longer than 2,500 words.
3. Only one submission per person, please.
4. Include with your short story a photograph of the work of art from the Winter in the Bay Art and Quilt Show you used as inspiration and/or illustration for your story.
5. While your story may be based on historic events or events from your own life, the submission should be fiction.
6. Submitted stories should be previously unpublished. (Students may submit stories written for school and extra-curricular assignments.)
7. Include your name, your age category, your telephone number and your agreement to the terms of the contest.

Winners in all three age groups for the fictional short story will:
• Win 10 hours of one-to-one writing coaching from one or more professional writers and editors.
• Win a prize donated by local businesses and participating organizations.
• Be featured in media stories about the contest winners and their stories.

STORY SHARING

Even though the nonfiction contest is over, ff you’d like to send us a short, nonfiction story just to share,  you’re welcome to do that, too! Make sure you include that information when you email your writing piece to winterinthebay@gmail.com. Please follow the same requirements as for the contest: maximum 350 words and using one of the pieces of art from the Winter in the Bay exhibit as illustration.

You’re also welcome to send in a fictional short story just to share. Write at the top, “Just to share, not for contest.”

WRITING TIPS

Visit this page regularly for writing tips and other writing help for people interested in entering the contest.

Winter in the Bay story contest: Writing tips from a pro
Sometimes the empty page or the blank screen can paralyze us. So here’s some advice from that wonderful Newfoundland writer and now Halifax resident Donna Morrissey: “Don’t agonize about or over-think the process of writing. Just get started. Get the story out.”

Writing examples with illustrating works from the Winter in the Bay Art Show
Here is an example of a short, first-person essay. Linda’s story “Feeding a Family in the Depression” and Mary Lynn’s painting “Frozen Lake” were created independently, but together they help to tell a wonderful story of a cold winter adventure nearly a century ago in St. Margaret’s Bay.

Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Email winterinthebay@gmail.com.

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The official St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia website is sponsored by ONE SMB—a group of St. Margaret’s Bay nonprofit groups and local small businesses, collaborating to build a prosperous future for residents. The goal of this website is to introduce local residents and visitors to all the events, recreation, volunteer groups, resources and services available here.
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