WGA: Writer-In-Residence Programs

The Writers Guild of Alberta in association with the Canada Council and the Library Association of Alberta is proud to present new Writer in Residence programs that will be available in three of the seven regional library systems. Each Writer in Residence will spend 60 per cent of the allotted time working on a personal project and 40 per cent on manuscript consultations and workshops. See below for more details as they develop.

Parkland Regional Library System – Literary Café with Kimmy Beach

January 10, 2012 – April 10, 2012

For more information, visit http://www.prl.ab.ca/literarycafe.

Kimmy is the author of four collections of poetry from Turnstone Press. Her second book, Alarum Within: theatre poems, has twice been adapted for the stage and was longlisted for the ReLit Award. She was the International Guest Poet for the Dead Good Poets Society in Liverpool, UK, and launched her third book, fake Paul, onstage at the Cavern Club in Mathew Street. Kimmy holds a First Class Honors Degree in English from the University of Alberta, and has served on many granting and book juries, including the Governor General's Award for Poetry. Before turning to writing, Kimmy spent several years as Production Stage Manager for the Theatre Studies Program at Red Deer College. Kimmy is working on two collections of poems, a mixed-genre book about James Bond, a collaborative young adult novel, and a travel memoir about the Greek Island of Crete. Her fifth book is forthcoming from The University of Alberta Press.

Chinook Arch Regional Library System - Check out the Writer with David Poulsen

February 2, 2012 – April 30, 2012

For more information, visit the Chinook Arch Writer-in-Residence Page.

David A. Poulsen has been a rodeo competitor and rodeo clown, rock singer, high school football coach, stage and film actor, documentary television writer and host, and college English instructor.  David is the author of more than 20 books, including the young adult novel Numbers, and has been a winner and finalist for a number of awards including the 2010 Golden Eagle Children’s Book Award.  Visit David’s Website at: www.davidpoulsen.com.

Peace Library System - Check out the Writer with Karen Bass

March 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012

Karen Bass was born and raised in the Peace Country – High Prairie to be exact – so is excited about being a writer-in-residence for her home territory. To date, she has three novels for teens published, as well as a variety of short stories and articles (some national publications, mostly northern Alberta ones). Her passion is stories, stories of all sorts, though her own stories are rarely content to remain short and almost inevitably want to turn into novels.

She is a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta, The Writers Union of Canada, the Canadian Authors Association (Alberta branch), and YABS (Young Alberta Book Society).

For more information about Karen and her books, check out her website www.karenbass.ca.