Events & Workshops

The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is now accepting applications for apprentices and mentors for the 2026 Mentorship Program. This program allows developing writers (apprentices) to work in a supportive environment under the guidance of professional writers (mentors). The mentor provides the apprentice with one-on-one instruction in the craft of creative writing, and pairs will be in regular contact during the program. The program is open to writers in all genres and will be tailored to the apprentice's individual needs.

The program to run from January 1 to April 30, 2026 and will include 4 pairings of mentors and apprentices. Mentorship pairs may work together virtually (i.e. video calls, email, phone calls) or in person. Required meetings for all participants will be held via Zoom in early January, mid-February and early May. An in-person Apprentice Reading will be co-hosted with the Indigenous Mentorship program in May 2026 as a conclusion to the program. There is no cost to apply for this program, and there are no participation fees.

Full program details and application guidelines are here. Please read carefully before applying.

To help the SWG support writers of diverse communities and identities, we encourage applicants to self-declare if they identify as a writer who is a member of group(s) experiencing marginalization and underrepresentation. (i.e. Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, or Disability). Indigenous writers may also apply to the Indigenous Mentorship Program as mentors or apprentices, but will only be accepted into one program.

Deadline: Applications must be emailed to programs@skwriter.com by Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (midnight).

Call for Mentors

The SWG is seeking experienced writers in all genres to participate in the Mentorship Program. Mentors who have participated in the program in the past are welcome to re-apply.

Four mentors will be selected based on the following criteria:

• The possession of a significant body of published work
• Experience as a teacher, workshop leader, mentor, writer-in-residence, or editor
• The ability to commit time (15-20 hours per month) during the four-month mentorship period
• Saskatchewan residency preferred. Out of province applicants must explain their connections to the Saskatchewan writing community in their application. Limited travel funds are available for travel in Saskatchewan to attend the Apprentice Reading.

Mentors will receive a fee of $2,800 for their participation from Jan 1 to April 30, 2026.

Complete information on how to apply to be a mentor is available here: https://skwriter.com/programs-and-services/mentorship-programs/mentorship-program  

Call for Apprentices

The SWG is seeking four emerging writers who wish to develop their skills in the craft of creative writing. Eligible applicants will meet the following criteria:

• A body of work of sufficient quality and quantity to benefit from the program;
• A work in progress when they apply (this is the basis of your work in the program);
• Have not published a book or a book-length manuscript accepted for publication in the genre in which they wish to apprentice. This includes traditional, hybrid and self-published books. Chapbooks are not considered book-length publications;
• Demonstrated their commitment to writing by having participated in some form of professional development (ex: workshops or classes, Manuscript Evaluation Service, working with a Writer-in-Residence, etc);
• Be free to devote a significant amount of time and commitment to the program: a minimum of 20-25 hours per month for four months. As this program offers a unique opportunity for development as a writer, past participants have recommended that future participants consider arranging their schedules so they can devote as much time as possible to it. Some previous apprentices have taken time off work or reduced their working hours in order to do so;
• Saskatchewan residency during the program, and are 19 years of age or older

Previous unsuccessful applicants are welcome to apply again; there is no limit to how many times a writer may apply to this program. Successful apprentices cannot apply to be an apprentice in the same genre in future years.

Complete information on how to apply to be an apprentice is available here: https://skwriter.com/programs-and-services/mentorship-programs/mentorship-program

The results of this competition will be announced in November. The decisions of the jury will be final. Jurors may choose to not make the entire four matches.

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