Conference & AGM

Why Attend a WGA Conference?

We know that a writer needs to reflect, imagine, try things out, listen, go deep, get into flow–be in solitude. But writers also need time and space to meet one another, share experiences and knowledge, meet with an editor to see if they’re on the right track, and to grow professionally. This is what our conference offers. We make every effort to plan relevant professional development sessions, engaging keynote speakers, and time for welcoming and celebrating writers. We’d love to have you as part of our Alberta writing community.

Our WGA 2025 Conference: Genre and Form Through Time

Our WGA 2025 Conference: Genre and Form Through Time is now over. It took place between June 7-8, 2025 in Calgary at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology campus. Please stay tuned for information on our 2026 Conference in the new year.

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The Writers’ Guild of Alberta Annual 2025 Spring Conference explored major influences on genre and form through time. We looked at how writers continue to be inspired and influenced by those before them, and how we shape the landscape for those who come after us. Workshops, masterclasses, and panels delved into the business of writing and how to strengthen craft skills.

Proposed pathways guided participants — novice, intermediate, and established — on ideal offerings according to where they feel they were on their literary journeys. However, all sessions were open to everyone in attendance; there is no right way to attend the conference. The weekend was self-directed, and participants were encouraged to attend any sessions they desired.

You can learn more about our past conference here.

2025 AGM

Our 2025 AGM took place on June 8th, from 10-11:30am 2025 in Calgary during our annual conference. You can find previous information here. The Annual Report and AGM Package is in the member section of the website. Registered members were able to attend and cast votes on proposed motions.

Testimonials

Here is what our attendees have said:

Being around other writers gives me energy and refocuses me. Gets me back on track about my own writing. Gives me new ideas, new contacts and brings me up to date with what's happening in the literary world. i.e.... I didn't know there was a 'one page novel!"

It is a wonderful way to network with fellow writers in the writing community."

It is the place where we put dimension to our online contacts and studies in the literary arts. It is where we re-assert our identity as writers."

It's a wonderful weekend of community, something we all need once in a while. The WGA has many different members' opinions and tastes to attend to, and the conference manages to cover a pretty good range of them. Plus, WGA members and conference speakers all seem open and friendly to meeting new-to-them writers. It's a great chance to build one's community and resource bank."

The blue pencil alone was worth the price of admission for me. The wordplay and keynote speech were also good information and a lot of fun. I think writers can learn a lot and have fun with these kinds of formats."

If you belong to an organization, you don't get much value for your membership fee if you don't take part. And the annual conference is the best way of taking part in a whole lot of things in one swoop."

Past Conferences and Photo Galleries

2024 Conference and Gala

2023 Conference and Gala

2022 Conference and Gala

2021 Conference and Gala

2019 Conference and Gala

2018 Conference and Gala

2017 Conference and Gala

Videos

Inclusivity

The WGA conference was open to all adult and young adult writers. We make an effort to cover a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary writers, and to hold our meetings in accessible venues.