News

(YEG) November Member Night- NaNoWriMo Takeover

Wednesday, November 6. This is a free eventThe Almanac on Whyte. 10351 Whyte Avenue6:00pm: Special NaNoWriMo Write-in7:30pm: Program begins What is NaNoWriMo? November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). During the month of November writers across the world take up the challenge of trying to write a 50,000 word novel during the 30 days of November. That’s an average of 1666 words per day, for anyone wondering. Every year dozens of Edmonton writers join in the challenge of NaNoWriMo and in

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Call for Applications: 2020 Banff Retreat Writer in Residence

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s 2020 Banff Retreat will be open to 20 participants in each half of the retreat. We will be hiring two Writers in Residence for the duration of the retreat, one Alberta-based hired through an open call, and the other invited from out of province. The retreat takes place February 14 – 23, 2020, at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. The Writers in Residence will provide individual manuscript consultations for retreat participants and foster community among

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2020 WGA Mentorship Program – Deadline: October 25

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 2020. We will accept up to six apprentices to work with mentors this year. The program is intended to meet the needs of emerging Alberta writers for guidance, collaboration and encouragement. This is not an introductory creative writing course; it is a one-on-one

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ALIGHT SOLUTIONS EMAIL

For those who have not yet seen the WGA’s notice about the Alight Solutions email that was circulated to WGA members who have an online profile with our website. It has come to our attention that a number of members received emails from a company called Alight Solutions (subject: Proofreading Job), who appear to have contacted several WGA members using their public member profile contact information (if you received such an email and do not have a public profile, please let

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How to Publish Indigenous Books (Alberta Culture Days)

How to Publish Indigenous Books Friday, September 27, 10 am – 12 pm Maskwacis Cultural College Library, 2 Saddleback Road N, Maskwacis, AB Free, Register Here Brought to you in partnership with Maskwacis Cultural College and Alberta Culture Days Grant About the workshop Having been on both sides of book production, as both a writer and publisher, Dianne will explain the process of book publishing from manuscript writing and review, establishing contractual agreements, finding appropriate illustrators, and dealing with printing

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WGA Edmonton October Member Night- Writing Groups

Thursday, October 10The Almanac on Whyte.10351 Whyte ave.7:00pm. Program at 7:30 We all know that Edmonton is full of writers, but what about the places where writers go to write together, critique works in progress, and offer encouragement? For that kind of thing you need a writing group. Edmonton and the surrounding communities have many writers groups that have existed and thrived for many years. Members from writing groups Inkhorn Society, Morinville Word Docs, and The Inkblot will be our

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Congratulations to WGA ED Carol Holmes! Rozsa Foundation Announces 2019 Rozsa Awards Shortlist

Announcing the 2019 Rozsa Awards Shortlist The Rozsa Foundation is excited to announce the shortlist nominees for the 16th Annual Rozsa Awards celebrating excellence in arts management and board leadership. Recognizing Excellence in Arts Management, the Rozsa Foundation congratulates nominees: Sara Leishman, Executive Director of Calgary Music Folk Festival, Brendan Lord, Executive Director of Choir Alberta, and Carol Holmes, Executive Director of Writers’ Guild of Alberta. Recognizing Excellence in Board Leadership, the Rozsa Foundation congratulates nominees: Tara Owen, Board Chair

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Congratulations on another successful Sugar Bowl!

The WGA wishes to offer our congratulations to the Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Foundation on hosting another successful Sugar Bowl fundraiser! The WGA was proud to sponsor a team at this year’s Sugar Bowl from our amazing WordsWorth crew: Congratulations to this year’s winning team Little Lebowski, with members Marcello Di Cintio, Paul Haavardsrud, Jason Markusoff and James May! Pictured below are this year’s Sugar Bowl participants! The WGA received an update of the day’s highlights, provided below by Colleen Seto

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Author, Conservationist, and Founder of The Writers’ Union of Canada Graeme Gibson Has Passed Away

With sadness, we share the news of the death of author and TWUC founder, Graeme Gibson. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. From The Writers Union of Canada: September 18, 2019 – The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) is deeply saddened by the news of Graeme Gibson’s passing. Mr. Gibson died this morning in London, England where he was accompanying his partner, Margaret Atwood, on a book tour. He was 85 years old. Gibson was the

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WGA and CanAuthors Alberta Present: Alison Clarke

The WGA and CanAuthors Alberta are hosting two upcoming events with Edmonton author Alison Clarke. 1. Alison Clarke – An Author’s Journey Friday, September 27, 8:00 pmSt Andrew’s Centre, 12720 111 Ave.CAA/ WGA Members: $10, First-time attendees: Free Alison Clarke will share her journey – including her bouts with cancer, self-publishing, and the importance of listening to your own voice. Alison Clarke will discuss her journey with two bouts of cancer and how it transformed her life – it was

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WGA Calgary Fall Kick-Off & Pub Night: Community & Opportunities For Writers

Wednesday, Sept 18, 2019 Doors for social time 6:00 p.m. | Formal Program 7:00 p.m.Rose & Crown Pub |  3rd floor private room at 1503 4 St SW, Calgary Please RSVP Via Facebook HERE Everybody knows September is when the literary calendar in Calgary starts to fill up. There are festivals, workshops, classes, presentations, book launches, and so much more. Join us to kick off the season in the best way possible. Representatives from Calgary’s literary community will tell you all about what

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Prairie Indigenous E-Book and IBBY Indigenous Picture Book Collections

Prairie Indigenous eBook Collection Launched in January 2019, this significant addition to the Alberta eBooks repository brings together over 200 titles from publishers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The first of its kind in Canada, the Prairie Indigenous collection increases access to stories by Indigenous authors, and writings about Indigenous culture. Along with the 1,500 other titles in the Alberta eBooks Collection (launched in 2017), these new additions are available for Alberta public library patrons to borrow online from their

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Writing Habitat: A Day of Writing and Reflection (YEG)

Date(s) – September 14, 201910:00 am – 2:30 pmUniversity of Alberta Botanic Garden Join critically-acclaimed author and creative writing instructor Lisa Martin for a day of site-specific writing practice, walking, and reflection. The class is suitable for anyone interested in the connection between writing and our physical surroundings, including the “natural” world.  What happens when we slow down and pay attention—e.g. to a single plant for a rather long time? What does good habitat look like for a writer? How

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Finding the Words: Writing About the Fort McMurray Wildfire – workshop with Therese Greenwood

The WGA is proud to sponsor an upcoming workshop in Fort McMurray with Therese Greenwood! Saturday, September 28, 2019, 9:30AM – 12:30PMSyncrude Program RoomWood Buffalo Regional Library Everyone has their own story to tell … Led by Fort McMurray writer Therese Greenwood (as part of Alberta Culture Days), this free workshop will help new writers navigate the first steps in telling their story of the 2016 wildfire — whether the goal is preserving a family’s story, sharing insights, expressing thanks, gaining perspective,

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Writers’ Guild of Alberta Q&A

Sunday, August 11 10 AM – Fireside Room Writers’ Guild of Alberta Q&AFeaturing Members of the Writers Guild of Alberta Join writers Susan Calder, Carol Parchewsky, Lori Hahnel, and Writers’ Guild of Alberta staff members Samantha Warwick and Carol Holmes for questions about the WGA, writing, or the industry in general. Coffee and treats will be served. This is a public event that will take place as part of the 2019 When Words Collide Festival. More info available at: https://www.whenwordscollide.org/.

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Multicultural Writing Forum Series (2): Building a Thriving Writers’ Community: Past, Present, and Future & 10th Anniversary Celebration of ECWC

For productive & creative writing with fun, for bridging Chinese culture & Canadian culture, you are warmly invited to: Multicultural Writing Forum Series (2): Building a Thriving Writers’ Community: Past, Present, and Future & 10th Anniversary Celebration of ECWC Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 2:30 pm – 4:30 pmVenue: EPL Strathcona Branch 8331 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB Co-hosted by Edmonton Chinese Writing Club (ECWC), Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA), and Canada-China Friendship Society of Edmonton (CCFSE) Features: Panel Discussion; Book Displays &

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