News

Meet the 2021 Finalists!

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is excited for the finalists for the 2021 Alberta Literary Awards and the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary Book Prizes. Each year, the Alberta Literary Awards, the City of Edmonton and The City of Calgary recognize and celebrate the highest standards of literary excellence from Alberta authors. Details for the Virtual Readings with the Finalists and the Alberta Literary Awards Video Presentation are posted below. Details for the presentation of The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize will be available

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2021 ALBERTA LITERARY AWARDS & CITIES OF EDMONTON AND CALGARY BOOK PRIZE FINALISTS

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is excited to announce the finalists for the 2021 Alberta Literary Awards and Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize and for The 2020 City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize. Each year, the Alberta Literary Awards, the City of Edmonton and The City of Calgary recognize and celebrate the highest standards of literary excellence from Alberta authors. The WGA would like to send our congratulations to those whose work is among this year’s finalists! We

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WordsWorth Presents: Circuit Tree 2.0

An online summer creative writing residency for youth aged 11-19 July 11 – 16 (ages 11-19), $250 (includes anthology & t-shirt)Online There will be two camps, one for ages 11-14 and one for ages 15-19. From the creative minds that brought you WordsWorth and Drink the Wild Air, we are proud to present Circuit Tree, an online creative writing residency program for youth. Immerse yourself in a community of creatives as you learn from professional authors and playwrights in a

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WGA Podcast – Partnership with Listen2Me

The WGA is happy to partner with the Listen 2 Me podcast. Listen 2 Me is a podcast for creatives, by creatives. Your hosts, Gio and Renée, two lifelong friends and queer creatives, talk about the very real highs and lows of making art while staying grounded. They’re bringing you the best in unsolicited, unqualified advice—with the odd qualified creative guest thrown in! The WGA will be sharing episodes that specifically feature writers and people in the publishing industry every Wednesday. They are available to

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CALL TO ACTION: Share the urgent need to fix fair dealing with the federal government

Over the past few months, Access Copyright has worked with a small group of authors to test out a book mailing campaign to push Prime Minister Trudeau and the federal government to reform the Copyright Act so that Canadian creators and publishers are paid for the use of their work by the education sector. You may have seen authors such as Sylvia McNicoll, Robert Rotenberg and Amy Stuart on social media sharing that they mailed one of their books as

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WGA Annual Conference 2021: Re/Orientation

JUMP TO: Pricing | Cancellation Policy | Details | Conference Schedule | Purchasing Books | Registration  | Our Thanks  | FAQ Writers’ Guild of Alberta – 40 Years – Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society 2021 Conference Re/Orientation The 2021 Writers’ Guild of Alberta virtual conference, held in partnership with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, is a unique opportunity to learn and connect on your writer’s journey. Pre-Conference Blue Pencil Sessions, Starting May 21stMain Conference: May 28th to May 30thPost-Conference Debrief June 10th & June 12th Learn During

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Re/Orientation Youth Connect Sessions

Youth Connect Sessions are designed to bridge our youth camps and programs with our mainstream programming. There are two Youth Connect sessions available during the main WGA 2021 Conference. They are “Creative Writing 101” on Saturday May 29th, at 1:30 PM (MT); and “Publishing 101” on Sunday May 30th, at 2:30 PM (MT). They are provided in partnership with the WGA Youth Committee, and they are free of charge. Registration for these sessions is now closed. Youth Connect: Creative Writing 101 Saturday,

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Call for Authors and Hosts for a new Online Reading Series!

We are thrilled to re-launch the WGA Online Reading Series for WGA members who have a late 2020 or 2021 book release and are looking for an opportunity to present their work. All you need to take part is an internet connection and a device that can stream your video and voice. Each session will be a total of 45 minutes, consisting of a 15-minute reading and a 30-minute maximum author interview. Dates and times will be decided according to availability. Selected

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Meet the Own Voices Alberta 2021 Protégés and Mentors

In partnership with the Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) and with the support from the Calgary Foundation, the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) designed Own Voices Alberta to yield new literary works, explore the BIPOC experience, and initiate dialogue that celebrates our diversity and contributes to a deeper understanding of one another. The program offers mentorship, workshops, discussions, networking, public reading opportunities, industry events, and more. Own Voices Alberta runs from March to July 2021 and is set entirely online,

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Alberta Literary Awards – Virtual Readings with the Finalists

Wednesday & Thursday, April 21 & 22, 7-8 pm Meet the Authors. Alberta Literary Awards finalists readings. April 21 and 22. 7-8pm over Zoom. Join the WGA as we feature the finalists for the 2021 Alberta Literary Awards with intimate readings set over two days. Virtual Reading with the Finalists Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 7 PM UTC-06 – 8 PM UTC-06Online: youtu.be Virtual readings with finalists for the Alberta Literary Awards and the Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize. Featuring: Lee

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Extra Cred: Planning the Novel (Kemosa Scholarship Fundraiser)

Waubgeshig Rice shares his process for imagining the plot, creating characters, and researching and developing the worlds they’ll inhabit. Tickets by donation, in support of the Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write. Date Fri., April 30, 1pm ET Department Fiction Insructor Waubgeshig Rice When it comes to writing a novel, the actual typing of words onto the page is just one part of the process. Before sitting down to write, a lot of research and

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Call for Volunteers – Youth Committee

Help nurture Alberta’s community of young writers! The WGA is seeking three additional members to join its Youth Committee. We’re adapting our social media and digital platforms to offer resources and programming to young writers all over the province. The Youth Committee is looking for writers aged 18-35 in Calgary or rural Alberta with experience in at least one of the following: Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) Video (YouTube, etc) Event programming (panels, workshops, networking opportunities) If you’re eager to

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WGA Online Workshop: Novel Intent w/instructor Ali Bryan

8 WeeksMondays: 6:30-9:00pmThis workshop uses Google Classroom. Participants should have a Gmail or G Suite account.This workshop is currently full. If you would like to be added to a waiting list in case a spot open up, please email us at [email protected] Bring intention and focus into your novel from the very first draft. Using principles of neuroscience, cognitive psychology and the concept of character as plot, learn how to use all elements of craft to create a cohesive, compelling

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Drink the Wild Air 2021

March 19 & 20, OnlineCost: $140 Registration Deadline: March 12 Registration is now closed While we wait within our homesAnd wintry winds blow through slumbering grovesThere is a place both fresh and rareA place called Drink the Wild Air  Where friends can come and share their wordsAnd minds and hearts, their voices heardThough we might not be in personWe’ll have a blast, that much is certain! Drink the Wild Air is a Creative Writing Retreat for Youth ages 11 – 19. Typically

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