The Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers was established in 2006 by Brian O'Dea, an author from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The award supports emerging writers in Newfoundland and Labrador through financial and editing support, as well as recognition for their writing. The award is administered by the Writer's Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL). Originally given out every year, the award became biennial in 2009. In 2011, NLCU - the largest credit union in Newfoundland and Labrador with a reputation for its commitment to local communities and organizations - became the corporate sponsor of the award, which is officially known as the NLCU Fresh Fish Award for Emerging Writers. Since its inception, the award has kick started the writing careers of many of its short-listed and winning writers, who were subsequently successful in having their works published. [1][2]