Applicants

Applications for the 2025-2026 Writer in Residence position are now open. Apply now. 

Explore past Writers in Residence.

What's involved?

Our Writer in Residence (WIR) program provides opportunities for members of the community to get guidance and advice from an established Canadian writer, while allowing the writer to devote time to a specific writing project.

The WIR selection process begins in March. At that time, writers are invited to submit their applications for review by our WIR selection committee, who will create a short list of candidates to be interviewed in July. Once interviews are complete, the committee will select a candidate and extend an offer for the residency. 

The residency begins in September and ends in June. During this time, the Writer in Residence is available for consultations with people who need assistance on personal writing projects, and will plan public readings, literary activities, and programs that focus on serving and supporting the writing community in Regina.

Through this program, we intend to:

• Encourage and inspire local writers to create works of their own;
• Work with a variety of age groups and backgrounds to assist writers in finding their own literary voice;
• Enable authors and others in the community to receive guidance and advice from an established writer; and
• Engage the Regina public in learning more about the process of writing, editing and/or publishing.

Planned activities during residency

The Writer in Residence will spend at least 16 hours a week working with Regina Public Library to meet the public requirements of the position, which are:

• Read manuscripts and confer with Regina writers on their work. Previous writers have chosen to set aside one day each week to meet with writers. Because this is a public position, we do ask that the writer make some time available for consultation in the evening for people who work during the day.
• On behalf of Regina Public Library, the Writer in Residence also does school and community visits, offers writing seminars or workshops both in the library branches and in the community, and does readings from their work.

The remainder of their time will be devoted to personal writing projects. In addition, the Writer in Residence may receive outside requests to do a number of other readings, workshops, school visits, conference appearances, etc., within Regina. The writer is free to organize and take part in these events at their discretion. However, the arrangements for remuneration (Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild or other sources) are to be made independently by the writer.

Benefits to author and community

Aspiring writers in Regina can receive guidance and advice from an established Canadian writer, thus providing an enriching learning opportunity for the Regina community.

The successful candidate will be able to devote time to specific writing projects, allowing them to contribute to Saskatchewan and Canada’s literary growth.

The program is an investment in the community at large, and will provide many benefits and networking opportunities to business, community organizations, schools and citizens of Regina.

The Regina Public Library Writer in Residence Program has provided a vital service to the local community in the past. Through innovative programming and promotion, audience reach has extended to the general public and continues to generate new interest in the art of writing. Regina citizens have come to value the Writer in Residence as a source for writing assistance and information. 

Have questions? Email Community Engagement and Programming or call 306.777.6039