Writers' Guild of Alberta

Meet Yasuko Nguyen Thanh, Canadian novelist and short story writer born to a German mother and a Vietnamese father. At 15, Thanh dropped out of school and lived on the streets. Previous to winning the Journey Prize for her short story Floating Like the Dead in 2009, she earned her living as a busker, opium dealer, cleaner of goat pens, Bed & Breakfast operator, housekeeper, and panhandler. She has lived in Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Honduras, and completed a Bachelor of Arts as well as a M… Read More

The WGA Invites you to join us in Calgary and Edmonton for two upcoming events in celebration of the 2017 Alberta Literary Awards. Winners will be announced and awards presented at the Alberta Literary Awards Gala on June 10 in Lister Centre at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.To view the full shortlist please visit: writersguild.ca/2017-alberta-literary-awards-shortlist.  WGA Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist Reading and Celebration (YYC) May 24th 2017 from 7:00 to 10:00pm… Read More

It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of long-time WGA member and friend Andy Michaelson on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Andy is survived by his loving wife, Carol Fergusson.The following is from his online obituary (trinityfuneralhome.ca/andrew-andy-e-michaelson): Andy had a generous, compassionate heart. He was complex, sometimes difficult, loved conversation, was a fine story teller and humourist, and collected good Scotch. Andy loved animals and birds, delighting in the… Read More

Please join us for the 2017 Alberta Literary Awards Gala on Saturday, June 10, 2017!Time: Cocktails and mingling at 6:30 pm, Buffet dinner at 7:15 pm Place: Maple Leaf Room, Lister Centre, University of Alberta (11613 - 87 Avenue) Dress Code: semiformal/festive attire Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased here.   Our speaker will be well-known blogger and social media expert Mike Morrison. His keynote address, "Why Social Media Might Be More Important Than Writing T… Read More

Conference Schedule and RatesWelcome to the WGA Annual Conference 2017: Juxtapositions! This is where writers from all across Alberta come together to socialize, network, learn, and celebrate writers and writing. We've asked over a dozen authors to share their talents and experiences in fiction, short story, poetry, and journalism through keynote speeches, author interviews, panel discussions and more. And Saturday night we'll take it up a notch with our Literary Awards Gala. Join us June 10 and… Read More

When employment/contract opportunities arise, the WGA is dedicated to selecting authors from across the province using fair and transparent methods. We take care and attention to represent various communities, cultures, genders, ages, and experiences from across the province when a position becomes available. In all offers of contracts/employment, we will give preference to WGA members.We are currently looking to fill the contract positions of:WestWord Editor - Deadline to apply: May 2… Read More

The 2017/18 board of the WGA will be elected at the AGM in conjunction with the WGA Annual Conference 2017: Juxtapositions on Sunday, June 11, 2017, 11:00 am - noon, at Lister Centre at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. There will be at least three openings, including Vice President, Secretary, Member at Large, and Youth Member at Large.Written nominations for the Board of Directors may be made in advance of the AGM, signed by the candidate and two members of the WGA who are in good sta… Read More

Registration for WordsWorth 2017 is now open!WordsWorth is a week-long sleepover creative writing residency for young writers who believe in the power of words. Writers will be completely immersed in the creative and diverse world of writing. Guided by established and respected artist-instructors, writers will experience writing through fiction, poetry, spoken word, music, drama, film making, monologue and nonfiction. But the experiences don’t begin and end with the classes, WordsWorth is a… Read More