News

Announcing the WGA’s New Regional Event Facilitators

January 1, 2020

Thanks to support of the Rozsa Foundation, we have contracted facilitators in four rural or remote regions to organize events for writers and establish a stronger WGA presence in the regions. If you would like to get in touch with any of our faciliators, please let us know and we will make it happen. Please join us in welcoming the new reps! Lethbridge Michelle Greysen is a long standing WGA member and past WGA board member and also past board member and National

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Short Story Glow Up Writing Workshop (Grande Prairie)

January 1, 2020

Rotary Training Room,Grande Prairie Public LibrarySaturday, February 8th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm Join local author and 2019 Governor General’s Literary Awards finalist Sue Farrell Holler in this exciting writing workshop for wordsmiths. This short story writing workshop is designed to help write a first attempt or glow up a draft for GPPL’s Collins Writing Contest. This year’s theme is “After Dark”. This workshop is a partnership between GPPL and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and is suitable for ages 16+. Supplies

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WGA Holiday Office Hours

December 19, 2019

The WGA offices will be closed from noon on December 20, 2019 to January 3, 2020. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 6. We wish you all the best of the holiday season and the new year!

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Book Women Podcast Series

December 16, 2019

Three Metis aunties just trying to figure out the world of publishing, and chatting about books. Learn more about masinahikan iskwêwak – Book Women Podcast – HERE Music Credit for All Episodes: Broke for Free – “Something Elated” Episode 13- masinahikan iskwêwak – Book Women Podcast- Métis Aunties Reflect In our last episode for this season, we dive into our reflections of the project. Specifically, we discuss thoughts going forward, improvements, what we actually learned. We also discuss the importance

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2020 Banff Retreat

December 15, 2019

Registration for the 2020 Banff Retreat is now closed. The Banff Retreat will take place February 14 – 23, 2020. Our annual Banff Retreat is a self-guided retreat and a great opportunity to connect with fellow writers and enjoy uninterrupted writing time among amazing scenery at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Participants will have accommodation in the Hotel at Professional Development Centre (PDC), in a private room with a desk. Writers attending the retreat will have access to the

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3rd Annual Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write

December 13, 2019

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is happy to announce the launch of the 3rd Annual Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write! This year, author Jeananne Kirwin and has enthusiastically joined in the effort to help give voice to Indigenous mothers. Together, we share the vision of effecting positive changes in our community through stories. Because of the generosity of our sponsors, we will award three scholarships this year: 1st place $3000, 2nd place $2000, 3rd place $1000. We are

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Call for Applications: Regional Event Facilitators

November 27, 2019

We are seeking contract facilitators to expand our programming in rural and remote regions. The role of the Regional Event Facilitator is to start a series of events for writers in their respective region (Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, or Airdrie, and surrounding communities) and pursue sponsorships or other resources that may help the events continue regularly. Event formats may include (but are not limited to) professional development presentations, writing workshops or classes, or open mics. The full job description

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Flash Writing Contest

November 20, 2019

The University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine and Mama na Mtoto initiative for regional maternal, newborn, and child health in Tanzania is presenting this flash writing contest. The WGA is happy to partner with these groups to offer administrative and promotional support. Flash Fiction or Flash Non-Fiction on the subject of: Mothers and/or Motherhood Around the World. Contest Guidelines: Submissions are evaluated on originality, creativity, quality of writing, and adherence to the theme. The prize of one entry to

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WRITERS’ GUILD OF ALBERTA HOLIDAY PARTY (YYC)

November 20, 2019

Wednesday, December 11 Doors 6:00 | 7:00—10:00pm (or later!)Rose & Crown Pub & Restaurant  Private room upstairs1503 4th St SW, Calgary | FREE for WGA membersNon-members $5 at the door (cash only)Seating is first-come, first served. RSVP HERE   Kick back and relax with your literary friends over a pint of cheer and some complimentary comfort food. Cozy up to the crackling wood burning fireplace to enjoy three readings by local authors Wakefield Brewster, Ian Kinney and JoAnn McCaig.As always, Shelf Life Books will host their

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WGA Edmonton Holiday Party: It’s a Wonderful Quiz!

November 19, 2019

Wednesday, Dec 11 9910 underneath The Common. 9910 109st Edmonton, AB$5 WGA members. Non-members $10. Pay at the door or WGA site Doors 6:30. Refreshments served at 7. Quiz at 8pm. The WGA Presents: It’s a Wonderful Quiz! A literary pub quiz for writers and literature lovers alike. Divided into 3 rounds: Edmonton books and literature, Canadian literature, International books, authors, and literary trivia. Lots of bonuses and a special final round and other surprises.  Do you know who was the

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In Memoriam: John Murrell

November 13, 2019

With sadness, we share the news of the death of playwright and librettist John Murrell. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. “Murrell received a bachelor of fine arts from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1968. He came to Canada in 1969 and settled permanently in Calgary in 1971, receiving his teaching diploma in drama from the University of Calgary in 1972. His first play, Haydn’s Head, won a provincial competition in 1971, but not until

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Announcing the 2020 Banff Retreat Writers in Residence

October 30, 2019

We are happy to announce the Writers in Residence for our annual Banff Retreat, February 14 – 23, 2020 at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Ali Bryan and Louise Halfe will be joining us at Banff Centre to provide manuscript consultations, advice about the writing life, and group activities. Ali Bryan is an award-winning novelist and creative nonfiction writer based in Calgary, Canada. Her first novel Roost (Freehand, 2013) won the Alberta Literary Awards Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction and was

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The WGA, Freehand & Shelf Life Books Present: Calgary’s 10th Anniversary Giller Light Bash in Support of Frontier College

October 22, 2019

Monday, November 18 | Doors 5:00 p.m. with program 6:00 p.m. sharpWurst Restaurant at 2437 4th Street SW Calgary, ABTickets $15 WGA early-bird – by Friday, October 4$20 after October 4 | $25 at the door We have extended the early bird rate of $15 for WGA members who purchase tickets by midnight, Friday October 4. **Advance tickets strongly recommended as this event has sold out the past three years** For tickets and presenter bios please visit: frontiercollege.akaraisin.com/ui/Calgary2019/tickets Our 2019 MC

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Submit a Listing to WriteClick

October 17, 2019

Alberta writers and organizations may submit listings of literary events such as book launches, signings, readings, courses, workshops, retreats, conferences, and other related events. Critiquing groups looking for members are also welcome to submit listings. To have your listing included in the WriteClick newsletter, use the form below. Text may be edited to conserve space. If you have any questions, contact us directly at [email protected]. There is no cost to have your announcement added to the WriteClick newsletter. Please submit

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The WGA & Great Plains Publishing Present: The Author-Editor Experience: Lee Kvern in Conversation with Jason Patrick Rothery – with Social & Celebration Before & After Formal Program

September 25, 2019

Wednesday, October 30 | 7:00—10:00 p.m. Wurst Restaurant | 2437 4th Street SW Calgary, AB Free for WGA members | $5 suggested donation at the door for non-members (optional) RSVP HERE! Meet seasoned Calgary playwright and author Jason Patrick Rothery for the release of his debut novel, Privilege and glean insights into the author-editor relationship at this special event and feature interview led by his editor (and author herself) Lee Kvern. Privilege is a cutting satire concerning the death spiral of the white, male identity. With his divorce nearly finalized,

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