The Writers’ Guild of Alberta hosts monthly events to give our members and those interested in joining a chance to get away from their writing desk to socialize with other writers, talk about what’s happening in the book world and learn more about the Writers’ Guild of Alberta. These events also feature informed presenters who talk about specific aspects of writing.
See the listings below for upcoming events. Full details available at the links in the titles of individual events. Details may be subject to change; please confirm with the office and if you have any questions you can reach us at [email protected].
MARCH
Calgary Coffee and Chat (in-person, Calgary): Thursday, March 16th, 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Location: Fish Creek Library (11161 Bonaventure Drive SE, Calgary AB T2J 6S1), in the program room on the 3rd floor. Join host Ashley Frerichs for an informal meet-up for writers in Calgary. Come to socialize and chat about writing in general or discuss any current writing projects which you’d like some feedback on. Come ready to make friends, share your accomplishments and struggles, and offer your own perspective. We hope to see you there. There will be coffee & timbits!
Drink the Wild Air 2023 (online): March 17 – 19, Cost: $140. Drink the Wild Air is a Creative Writing Retreat for Youth ages 11 – 19. Typically nestled in the gateway to the rocky mountains in Kananaskis country, this year we’ll come together online to take workshops with working professionals, play games, share our stories, our songs, our poems and our art. Join us on March 17th for orientation, and on March 18th and 19th for a weekend of creative razzmatazz, hijinks, capers, and general hullabaloo.
WGA 2023 Spring One-Day Retreat: Map Your Creative Future (in-person, Edmonton): Sunday, March 19th. Location: Yorath House (13110 Buena Vista Rd NW, Edmonton). Cost: WGA Members $150; Non-members $200. Nurture your commitment to your artistic ambitions at this forward-looking retreat for writers. Award-winning and bestselling author Joan Marie Galat will share her journey to publication and guide you in making a focused plan to move you toward achievable writing and publishing goals. Whether you have publishing credits or are just starting out, leave distractions behind and enjoy this opportunity for creativity and community as you embark on a mission to define personal success at this power-packed retreat.
There will be a Meet & Greet and Author’s Journey Talk on Saturday, March 18th , from 6 PM – 8 PM (venue details will be included with confirmation of registration). The WGA will provide appetizers while retreat participants have the opportunity to meet and network with one another. For full details and to register for this event, please visit this link.
Springboards Story to Script Intensive (in-person, Edmonton): March 19, 23, & 26 (three-part workshop). Location: The Gateway Theatre (8529 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton, AB). Cost: $30-45. This intensive is for emerging playwrights and writers new to playwriting. It focuses on story finding, character development and dialogue drafting. Previous playwriting experience is not required for this workshop. For details of the three workshop components, registration pricing, and to register visit this link. Writers who are experiencing financial hardship can contact WWPT at [email protected] to propose payment of other arrangements.
Calgary Poetry Parlour (in-person, Calgary): Tuesday, March 21st, 7:00 PM. Location: Poetry Parlour at Pachamama Soul Flavour Emporium (#2110, 380 Canyon Meadows Dr SE,Calgary, AB). Open mic sign-up starts at 7pm There are 12 5-minute slots available and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Our March featured reader is the outstanding Adrienne Adams. This is a free event. No registration required. All are welcome. If you have any questions please email [email protected]
APRIL
Connections Brewing: WGA & AWCS Pub Launch Night (in-person, Calgary): Monday, April 3, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Location: Prairie Dog Brewing (105D 58 Ave SE, Calgary, AB). Join us for the launch of Connections Brewing, a new monthly pub night for YYC Writers in collaboration with Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society Come ready to mingle and network with the Calgary literary community. April’s event will feature a reading by the wonderful poet, Bertrand Bickersteth. No registration necessary. All are welcome.
Queer Calgary Writing Group (in-person, Calgary): Saturday, April 8, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Location: Mad Hatter Cafe (917 9 Ave SE, Unit 105, Calgary, AB). Queer Calgary and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta are happy to be collaborating on a monthly writing group facilitated by author R.M. Olson. Join us at the Mad Hatter Cafe on Saturday, April 8th from 11:00am to 12:30pm for the inaugural event. The sessions will take place on the second Saturday of each month, excluding July and August as we break for summer. If you have a current work in progress, bring it along for critiquing. Otherwise, come ready to write and make friends!
MAY
Queer Calgary Writing Group (in-person, Calgary): Saturday, May 13, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Location: Mad Hatter Cafe (917 9 Ave SE, Unit 105, Calgary, AB). Queer Calgary and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta are happy to be collaborating on a monthly writing group facilitated by author R.M. Olson. Join us at the Mad Hatter Cafe on Saturday, May 13th from 11:00am to 12:30pm. If you have a current work in progress, bring it along for critiquing. Otherwise, come ready to write and make friends!
JUNE
WGA Annual Conference: Origins (in-person, Calgary; and online): Friday June 2 – Sunday June 4. Location: Fort Calgary (750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB) and virtually. As writers we have the ability to examine alter egos, create and destroy worlds, and establish origin stories for ourselves — and for our characters — when and where we see fit. Let’s explore these ideas and more, in-person and/or virtually, from June 2 – 4 at Fort Calgary. For full details, conference pass prices, conference schedule, and to register visit this link.
Alberta Literary Awards Gala 2023 (in-person, Calgary): Saturday, June 3, 6:00 PM to 10:00PM. Location: Fort Calgary (750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB). Please join us for an evening that celebrates literary excellence and Alberta’s writing community! We will present awards in nine categories that include fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, memoir, and children’s literature. Tickets for the gala are $50 each and are available through the Origins conference registration form or at alberta-literary-awards-gala-2023.
Queer Calgary Writing Group (in-person, Calgary): Saturday, June 10, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Location: Mad Hatter Cafe (917 9 Ave SE, Unit 105, Calgary, AB). Queer Calgary and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta are happy to be collaborating on a monthly writing group facilitated by author R.M. Olson. Join us at the Mad Hatter Cafe on Saturday, June 10th from 11:00am to 12:30pm. If you have a current work in progress, bring it along for critiquing. Otherwise, come ready to write and make friends!