News

WGA Announces New Mary Bell Scholarship

December 10, 2021

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is thrilled to announce the new Mary Bell Scholarship, which honours a writer, sister, and dear friend who passed away from COVID in December 2020. In alignment with the way in which writing became a significant part of Mary’s life, this scholarship is offered to support one professional one-to-one mentorship for an emerging woman writer 50 years of age or older as part of our established Mentorship Program. The Writers’ Guild Mentorship Program, established ten

WGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Job Description

December 6, 2021

Writers’ Guild of Alberta Executive Director-Job Description and Employment Terms Deadline: January 7, 2022Location: Edmonton, Alberta Job Description The Executive Director is responsible for the successful management of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta according to the mission of the organization and the strategic direction set by the members of the organization through the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s administration, personnel, financial, and legal management including all programming, and services, partnerships, and

URGENT BOARD VACANCIES

December 5, 2021

On Monday November 22, we held our AGM and elected the new board. Unfortunately, we had no nominees for President and Treasurer. We are at a critical juncture for the WGA as we recruit and transition to a new Executive Director; position ourselves through the remainder of the pandemic; and manage future funding uncertainties. We need the participation of experienced members to strengthen our board. If you are interested in supporting the WGA as President or Treasurer of the Board of Directors please

Edmonton Outdoor Holiday Party

November 19, 2021

When: Saturday, December 4. 2-4pmWhere: Victoria Park Picnic Site #2 (Next to Victoria Park Pavillion)12030 River Valley Rd NW, Edmonton, AB It has been so long since we last saw each other for a WGA event. We will be having this gathering outside and following all provincial and municipal COVID regulations. The canopied picnic shelter will be available, as well as the Victoria Park Pavillion nearby for those looking to warm up. We will have campfires going and hot beverages

Merry Calgary Christmas in the Country

November 18, 2021

Saturday December 4TH, 2021. Join us for a festive time at the Granary Road Market. Enjoy a hot drink and treat, meet new members, and enjoy the atmosphere of the market with optional S’More making. Drop-in visiting, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMS’More making starts at: 11:00 AM Please pre-register for this free members’ event. AHS protocols are in place at the venue. Proof of double-vaccines and masking are required.

Official Notice of the 2021 Writers’ Guild of Alberta Annual General Meeting – Registration Deadline Extended!

November 11, 2021

Monday, November 22, 20217:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Online The AGM is free and open to all WGA members in good standing. This year’s AGM will be held online. If you are a member and wish to attend the AGM, please RSVP by Sunday, November 21. The AGM agenda, draft minutes of the 2020 AGM, and a list of board incumbents and nominees are available to download here for advance viewing. On the agenda this year is a review of changes to the

The WGA and Horizons Writers Circle Present: Literary Festivals 101

November 10, 2021

Literary Festivals 101 Thursday, November 18, 2021.6:30 MST, Free REGISTER HERE The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is hosting the first panel of their new 101 Series on all things literary. Four female festival directors from across Canada, Amanda Leduc, from The FOLD Festival, Charlene Diehl from Winnipeg’s Thin Air Festival, Fawnda Mithrush from LitFest YEG, and Shelley Youngblut, from Calgary’s Wordfest will share with us their insights on running literary festivals. This event is co-sponsored by the Edmonton Public Library through

2022 WGA Mentorship Program Participants Announced

November 10, 2021

Meet the Participants! The WGA is thrilled to announce the participants for the 2022 Mentorship Program! In January 2022, sixteen Alberta writers will begin their participation in the WGA’s annual mentorship program. 2022 marks the eleventh year for the program, which pairs emerging writers with established Alberta authors to develop the emerging writer’s literary work, and also to provide support and encouragement. This program has seen many of its participants grow and succeed as published authors. This year’s participants are:

CalgaryWrites on Discord is now transitioning to become the official WGA Discord Group: AlbertaWrites

November 9, 2021

AlbertaWrites is an online group utilizing Discord. There is no physical location to meet (unless members want to break into smaller in-person groups), and the online format allows members to join regardless of location anywhere in Alberta. There is no set time to meet; members can leave messages on the site and join a conversation at any time. If members decide on a monthly meeting, it will be advertised in the group under the “events” section. Critiques are one-for-one. If

Online Workshop: Storytelling Through Comics with Teresa Wong

November 9, 2021

Saturday, November 20th. 10-11AMZoomWGA Members: $25 Non-members: $35Students $10Space is limited Cartoonist and graphic memoirist Teresa Wong walks through the basics of visual storytelling through comics. We’ll discuss some of the technical choices comic artists make to shape their stories and work on a short comic together. No artistic skills necessary. Teresa Wong is the author of the graphic memoir Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression, a finalist for The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize and longlisted

Call for WGA Virtual Writer-in-Residence

November 8, 2021

Deadline: November 12 The Writers’ Guild of Alberta invites all those qualified to apply for the position of Virtual Writer-in-Residence. This program provides WGA members access to the services of a Virtual Writer-in-Residence, with priority given to those who cannot access one elsewhere. The position will begin in January and end in May, with an average of 30 hours per month, consisting of: 12 one-hour virtual consultations with members writing in all genres; preparation time of approximately 1.5 hours for

2022 WGA Mentorship Program – Deadline Extended!

October 25, 2021

2022 Mentorship Program Deadline: November 5, 12 pm MT 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 2022. We will accept up to eight apprentices to work with mentors this year, including one pairing for the Mary Bell Mentorship Scholarship, which will be awarded to an emerging woman writer 50 years of age or

In Memoriam – Doug Barbour

October 1, 2021

The WGA is deeply saddened by news of the death of Edmonton poet, professor, critic, and publisher Douglas Barbour. A prominent member of the Alberta literary community, Doug served on the board of directors for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta as a member at large from 1981 to 1983. He was a founding member and president for NewWest Press (Read the NeWest announcement HERE). He also served on the editorial board for OnSpec Magazine. Most recently, the Book Publishers Association

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – 30 September, 2021

September 28, 2021

The Government of Canada recently passed the legislation marking September 30 as a day to recognize and commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. We have compiled the following list of resources and sites with suggested reading. We encourage you to check out these resources, and please let us know of other links or sites that can be added to this list! (Send to Ellen Kartz, WGA Communications and Partnerships

2021 Alberta Book Publishing Awards Winners Announced

September 21, 2021

On September 17, 2021, the Book Publishers Association of Alberta announced the winners of the 2021 Alberta Book Publishing Awards during an online presentation. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! Here is the official Media Release of the awards announcement: “Edmonton – The Book Publishers Association of Alberta is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Alberta Book Publishing Awards. “We were excited to present two new award categories this year, Graphic Novel of the Year and Regional Book of

WGA Online Reading Series 2021

September 15, 2021

The WGA Online Reading Series is back! This summer we will be featuring WGA members with books released in 2021 and presenting a safe event for them to talk about their books. All events will be live streamed through the WGA YouTube channel. Audio versions of the readings will be shared shortly after. Micheline Maylor: The Bad WifeDate: Friday, November 5, 7:00 pmHost: Anne SorbieOnline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-RDjW9uhc Online Reading Series 2021 [tabs style=”vertical”][tab title=”Online Reading Series Events”] Click the tabs to

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