Vote Today for the WGA: Community Fundraising for Multi-lingual Writing – Ends November 22, 2025
The WGA needs your support! And best of all, it only takes a few seconds of your time. The WGA has been selected to compete for community votes to win funds for the Preservation of Culture: Multi-Lingual Writing Program through the Field Law: Community Funding Program. Voting Closes on November 22, 2025. Cast your vote here! Our IdeaWe are looking to raise funds to host a year-long writing program for Spanish writers, including one virtual craft talk with an established
Under 30 Write Night (Online) – November 27, 2025
The WGA is back with another Under 30 Write Night, headed by the WGA’s own Youth Committee. November 27th, 20257:00 PM – 9:00 PM MT Online (RSVP Required) Free! Register for the Zoom link here. Write Nights aim to bring writers into a collaborative space without the pressures of a workshop or finished task; just bring something to work on, and feel free to chat or share your progress. This time we will be meeting in the coziness of your
POETRY PARLOUR – NOVEMBER 18, 2025 (CALGARY)
Tuesday, November 18th, 20257:00 PM – 9:15 PM MTPachamama Soul Flavour Emporium2110, 380 Canyon Meadows Drive SE, CalgaryFREE Join host Ashley Frerichs for Poetry Parlour, our monthly 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 November, we are excited to welcome the wonderful, funny, and sharp Tarini Fernando as our featured reader! About the Featured Reader Tarini Fernando is a
WordsWorth Summer Camper’s Anthology Launch – November 23, 2025 (Calgary)
Join us for the launch of the 2025 WordsWorth Summer Campers’ Anthology launch – featuring instructors and readers from our annual camp, all bundled into your anthology copy today! November 23rd, 20251:00 PM – 4:00 PM MT cSPACE 1721 29th Ave SWSuite #125Calgary, AlbertaFree! (RSVPs Recommended) The Writers’ Guild is excited to welcome back our camp alumni to attend this event in Calgary this year. Alumni instructors are also welcome to attend and read as we welcome our new Director,
Strawberry Creek Writing Retreat – APRIL 22 – 26, 2026
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is excited to confirm that we will be hosting a self-directed writing retreat next spring in Strawberry Creek! Details:Strawberry Creek Writing RetreatApril 22 – 26, 2026Strawberry Creek Lodge*Specific Location and Directions will be made available to Participants Registration opens November 4th, 2025 at 10:00 AM.**The form will be made available at that time. Registration Fees$700 for WGA Members$795 for Non-Members* Located approximately 80 KM outside of Edmonton, this retreat offers participants an open model whereby
In Memoriam: Stephan V. Benediktson
Stephan V. Benediktson June 22, 1933 – October 14, 2025 We are sorry to learn that long-time supporter of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, Stephan V. Benediktson, passed away October 14, 2025. Stephan was a dedicated supporter of the arts and Icelandic culture who sponsored the WGA’s Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry, named for his grandfather. An enthusiastic presence at our Alberta Literary Awards Gala, Stephan was always eager to meet the award winner and shake their hand, making
THE OLIVE READING SERIES (EDMONTON)
The Olive Reading Series returns November 12th for another night of features, open mic readings, and time to chat and connect with local writers. Wednesday, November 12th, 20257:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTRooster Bar & Kitchen 10732 82nd Ave (Whyte Ave)FREE The November reading will feature author of ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (2025), Marco Melfi, and multidisciplinary artist, Sara Campos-Silvius. As always, an open mic will follow. Remember to grab a chapbook of the featured works as well. The Olive Reading Series
CONNECTIONS BREWING PUB NIGHT (CALGARY)
The Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta are back for another Connections Pub Night! Tuesday, November 11, 20256:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTLast Best Brewing & Distilling607 – 11th Ave SWDownstairs in the beer roomCalgaryFREE Come ready to mingle and network with the Calgary literary community! This event is open to members of WGA and/or AWCS. Street parking is free after 6pm, and it is a 7 minute walk from 4th street c-train station.
2026 Strawberry Creek Retreat Registration
Register below for the 2026 Strawberry Creek Retreat. After your registration form is submitted successfully, you will be taken to the payment page where you can pay for your registration. You will also receive a notification email confirming your registration, which will contain additional details about the retreat. If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties registering or with the online payment process, please contact us at [email protected].
CONTROVERSY @ NOON: THE THINGS THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT PUBLICATION
Wednesday, November 26, 202512:00 PM – 1:00 PM MTOnline (Registration Required) Free! Publication is often the goal for most writers: We want our hard work published and available to the greater literary community, to the world at large (and receiving compensation for doing the thing we love doesn’t hurt). But, like writing, publication — and life after publication — isn’t always what we think it will be or what we’ve prepared ourselves for. Our November Controversy @ Noon panel will
Pub Night & Open Mic (Edmonton)
Wednesday, November 19th, 20257:00 PM – 9:00 PM MTRooster Bar and Kitchen10732 82 Ave NWEdmonton FREE With temperatures dropping below zero, the WGA would love to see Edmonton writers cozy up with a warm drink at our November Pub Night and Open Mic! We welcome all genres of writers and have a strict time limit for each reader. Join us for our next pub night and open mic and sign up at the door to read. First-come-first-serve. This is a
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
Holiday Party (Calgary) – December 10, 2025
We’re getting started a little early, Calgary! This event is now taking place on December 10th (instead of the 11th) at a new location. Please make a note of the change. Wednesday, December 10th, 20256:00 PM MTJoyce on 4th506 24th Ave SWCalgary We will open registration for the party soon, so stay tuned!
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