New Brunswick Author Portal

Richard  Toth
Categories: Male AuthorsAnglophone AuthorsPoetsNovelistsNorth


Biography

Richard was born and raised in Alberta and is a graduate of the University of Calgary and the University of New Brunswick. He moved to New Brunswick in 1965, married the former Brenda Moffitt, a native New Brunswicker, and they have lived here ever since. Richard taught school, was a securities salesman, sold real estate, worked in an automobile dealership and operated an art gallery. He paints and writes. His paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in more than forty solo and group exhibitions across the province, including the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton and his work was included in the Dialogue New Brunswick travelling art exhibition which toured the province. Richard has had stories and poems and articles published across North America. His first novel was published in 2012.



How has New Brunswick influenced your work?

The natural beauty of New Brunswick, even after nearly fifty years, continues to astound me. It is, quite simply, a stunningly beautiful place to live. The Bay of Fundy area, in particular, has been a continuing source of subject matter for paintings and it is where I get some of my best writing ideas.

What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?

Alden Nowlan’s Selected Poems is a book I find myself going back to over and over. His poetry speaks to me.

What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?

I prefer to look ahead. I'm working on two novels right now. I'm fortunate in having found an excellent editor so I'm looking forward to finishing these two works. I have another book partially blocked out. I just finished a large commissioned painting and I'm looking forward to my next commission.









Literary Prizes

Honourable mention, The David Adams Richards Prize, Writer's Federation of New Brunswick - 2013 In recognition of: Nothing stays the same
Finalist, The Ultra Short Poem Competition - 2012 In recognition of: "Concerning Reckoning," and "July Poem."
Honourable mention, The David Adams Richards Prize, Writer's Federation of New Brunswick - 2012 In recognition of: What is given, like baggage
Honourable mention, The David Adams Richards Prize, Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick - 2011 In recognition of: The shortest distance between two points
Honourable Mention, H.R. Bill Percy Prize, Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Writing Competition, Unpublished Novel Category - 2009 In recognition of: What is given, like baggage
Regional Finalist, Second Place, CBC Poetry Face Off - 2006 In recognition of: "At the lake"
Third Prize, The Second Time Around Poetry Contest, Ontario Poetry Society - 2003 In recognition of: "March"
Nomination -  Individual Poem Category, Writer's Federation of New Brunswick - 2001 In recognition of: "Uncle"



Source(s): Author.