EMERGING WRITERS’ CAFE AT THE ESKER FOUNDATION (CALGARY)
Hey Calgary! Join us for the launch of Emerging Writers’ Café at The Bookshop at Esker! Thursday, November 20th, 20256:00 PM – 8:00 PM MTThe Bookshop at Esker1011 – 9th Avenue SE (4th floor)CalgaryFREEAges 16+ We are excited to invite writers aged 16+ that may identify as emerging in the hopes of sharing, connecting, and learning. Come to share works in progress, brainstorm new ideas, access resources, spend focused time writing, and practice giving and receiving feedback! This is a
FREE WRITING WORKSHOP: WORKING WITH THE ABYSS, NOVEMBER 16, 2025 (EDMONTON)
Calling all Edmonton writers! As the sun goes down sooner, we invite you to join us for a workshop in Working with the Abyss. Sunday, November 16th, 20251:00 PM – 3:00 PM MT9722 102 St NWOrtona ArmouryEdmonton Please join us for a free writing workshop facilitated by celebrated poet Daniel Poitras. This workshop will be taking place in-person at the Ortona Armoury on November 16, 2025. About the Workshop Approaching the untouchable with the same tactics I approach ugly Indigenous
Save the Date: Holiday Party (Calgary)
We’re getting started a little early, Calgary! Save the date! Thursday, December 11th, 20257:00 PM – 11:00 PM MTCivic Tavern213 12th Ave SWCalgary The Writers’ Guild Holiday Party in Calgary will take place on December 11th around 7:00 PM MT. We are excited to be at Civic Tavern, and will be adding more information through the next months. It is a busy time so mark it on your calendars!
Poetry Parlour & Open Mic (Calgary)
Tuesday, October 21st, 20257:00 PM – 9:15 PM MTPachamama Soul Flavour Emporium#2110, 380 Canyon Meadows Drive SECalgary FREE Join host Ashley Frerichs for Poetry Parlour, our monthly poetry open mic & reading series. Open mic sign-up starts at 7pm. There are limited slots available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In October, to get into the Halloween spirit, we’ll have a prize for best costume! We’re so excited to feature a poet who’s very special
Coffee & Chat (Calgary)
Saturday, October 25th, 202510:30 AM to 12:00 PM MTJudith Umbach Library6617 Centre St NCalgary Please join host Ashley Frerichs for the next Calgary Coffee & Chat, a place for YYC writers to get together and gab about all things writing! Come enjoy some coffee (and Timbits!) and share your recent successes, struggles, and/or bounce ideas and questions off other writers in the community. Sessions will take place one Saturday every two months at Calgary Public Library locations. Please email Ashley
SAVE THE DATE: WGA CONFERENCE – JUNE 6 to 7, 2026 (EDMONTON)
Are you looking to sharpen your craft skills? Take part in guided networking time? Grow your literary community? Or pitch to an agent? The next Writers’ Guild of Alberta Conference will take place in person in Edmonton, Alberta from June 6th to June 7th. Each year we rotate between major cities to ensure writers have access to opportunities to connect, engage in workshops and development, and attend the Alberta Literary Awards Gala. There will more announcements to come for 2026’s
Pub Night and Open Mic (Edmonton)
Wednesday, October 16th, 20257:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTRooster Bar and Kitchen10732 82 Ave NWEdmontonFREE Do you have a fashionable toque you’ve been waiting to debut? Or an excerpt of a spooky mystery you’d like to share? Maybe you’ve got a poem about a raven lying around… Join us for our next pub night and open mic, toque or not, and sign up at the door to read. First-come-first-serve. This is a free event. All are welcome!
CONNECTIONS BREWING PUB NIGHT (CALGARY)
Tuesday, October 14th, 20256:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTLast Best Brewing & Distilling607 – 11th Ave SWIn the dining room (Main Level)FREE to members of WGA and/or AWCS Come ready to mingle and network with the Calgary literary community. To kick off the Halloween season, October will feature a haunting writing exercise facilitated by Ashley Frerichs plus tarot readings for writers! No registration required. Street parking free after 6pm. 7 minute walk from 4th street c-train station.
Tickets Available Now: Kathryn Mockler 2-for-1 Webinar Bundle
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is excited to offer two ticketed webinars this fall with celebrated author Kathryn Mockler. Participants who purchase tickets will have access to both webinars. Registration Writers’ Guild Members: $25.00 Writers’ Guild of Alberta Student Members: $15.00Non-Members: $35.00 * * Membership can be purchased anytime and is valid for one year. Webinar One – In a Flash: Writing Very Short Narratives Saturday, October 18th, 202510:30 AM MT (Online) Join Kathryn Mockler, author of Anecdotes for a workshop exploring
2026 Mentorship Program – Call for Applications
2026 Mentorship Program – Call for Applications The Mentorship Program is an initiative of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta designed to help promising emerging writers make the transition to the next stage of their careers. The program will take place from January through April 2026. We will accept up to seven apprentices to work with mentors this year, including one pairing for the Mary Bell Mentorship Scholarship, (awarded to an emerging woman writer 50 years of age or older), and
2025 Regional Writers-in-Residence
The WGA is proud to announce that six writers have been selected as the 2025 Regional Writers-in-Residence (RWiR). This program provides WGA members access to the services of a virtual Regional Writer-in-Residence with priority given to those who cannot easily access an existing writer-in-residence service. Consultations are now open to ALL WGA members. Fill out the RWiR form and include your 10-15 page writing sample and one of the Regional Writers-in-Residence will contact you to set up a time for
WGA Board Response to Recent Removal of Books in Schools
On August 28, an internal Edmonton Public Schools memo was leaked to the public. It contained the list of more than 200 books that the Edmonton Public School Board will be pulling from K-12 school libraries as a result of the Government of Alberta’s ministerial order regarding book collections in school libraries. On that list are acclaimed novels that have often been taught in schools, including The Lesser Blessed by Alberta writer Richard Van Camp, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret
2026 Alberta Literary Awards – Now Open for Submissions!
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) is preparing to celebrate another successful year with the 2026 Alberta Literary Awards. Writers from across Alberta and their publishers are invited to check out and submit to this year’s award categories. The deadline for submissions to the Alberta Literary Awards is December 1, 2025. *Update: During the Canadian Union of Postal Workers strike please make other arrangements to send in your books by courier or drop them off in-person at the WGA offices. Our fall office hours are 10:00 AM –
WGA Office Closure – September 1, 2025
The WGA Offices will be closed for Labour Day weekend. We will return to the office on September 2nd, 2025 with our regular schedule. Please note that office visits are currently by appointment only. In the meantime, you can email our office and we will do our best to reply in a timely fashion when we return. Have a great weekend, and see you in September!
Pub Night & Open Mic Fall Kickoff (Edmonton)
Wednesday, September 177:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTRooster Bar and Kitchen10732 82 Ave NWFREE Have you been working on your future masterpiece all summer? Are you ready for your audience of one to grow? Then join us at our monthly pub night and open mic, and as a special treat learn about the many literary festivals and communities that are hoping to see YOU at their events this fall! Members from the Edmonton literary community such as LitFest, Stroll of