Office Closure: December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026
The WGA will be closed from December 18, 2025 to January 5, 2026. Staff will be out of office, but emails can be sent to [email protected] and we will respond when we are back. Staff will be available in-office by appointment from now until December 18. Please let us know if you have a need to get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Poetry Parlour (Calgary) – December 16, 2025
Tuesday, December 16th, 20257:00 PM – 9:15 PM MTPachamama Soul Flavour Emporium #2110, 380 Canyon Meadows Drive SE, Calgary FREE Join host Ashley Frerichs for the last Poetry Parlour of 2025! Open mic sign-up starts at 7pm. There are limited slots available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In December, we are excited to feature the wonderful Rohanna Gibson Green. About the Featured Reader Rohanna Gibson Green is a full time high school teacher and occasional poet. Rohanna writes poetry to deepen her experience of
Coffee & Chat (Calgary) – December 13, 2025
Saturday, December 13th, 20259:30 AM to 11:00 AM MTFish Creek Library11161 Bonaventure Dr SE3rd Floor Program Room 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.
HOLIDAY PARTY (EDMONTON) – DECEMBER 17, 2025
WGA Holiday Pub NightWednesday, December 17, 20257:00 PM – 9:00 PM MT Rooster Bar & Kitchen10732 Whyte AveEdmontonFree!Snacks will be provided We can’t quite believe it is nearly December – and with it, the rush of the holiday season. We’d love to wiggle our way into your schedule on December 17, 2025 for our last Edmonton Pub Night – this time with special guest readers Jessica Carmichael and Kim Mannix. As always, the Pub Night is free to attend. We
We Are Hiring: WordsWorth Director (Contract, Deadline December 3, 2025)
Writers’ Guild of Alberta Contractor Opportunity: WordsWorth Director Reports To: Executive Director of the Writers’ Guild of AlbertaContract Term: Starting immediately – August 31, 2026Application Deadline: December 3, 2025 (or until suitable candidate is found)Contract Remuneration: $15,400Position Location: Hybrid (Alberta) Job Overview The WordsWorth Director is responsible for planning, scheduling, and implementing the two-week WGA WordsWorth summer creative writing residency for youth ages 11 – 19 in July, as well as engaging the WordsWorth community in between summer programs. Duties
Queer Writers’ Collective Meet-Up Ft. Rob Browatzke (Edmonton)
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Rooster Bar & Kitchen10732 Whyte Ave Edmonton Join the Queer Writers’ Collective on Wednesday, November 19th where special guest Rob Browatzke will be speaking about the collection Cruising the Downtown (NeWest Press, 2025) as part of the Edmonton Queer History Project. There will be a discussion of the book followed by a Q & A period. Copies of the book will also be available for purchase. About the BookThe city of
Office Closure: November 11, 2025
The WGA Offices will be closed on November 11, 2025. We will return to regular in-person office hours on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Monday – Thursday10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Excluding Statutory Holidays. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions and we will get back to you when we return.
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
CANCELLED: WordsWorth Summer Camper’s Anthology Launch – November 23, 2025 (Calgary)
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been cancelled. We will be notifying registered participants and plan to send all anthologies by mail. Please keep an eye out in the new year for more events.
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 for the Strawberry Creek Retreat is now open. 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 writers can organize their time with each
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].