Events & Workshops

The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild invites all those with the necessary qualifications to apply for the Virtual Writer-in-Residence (VWIR) position. The SWG will be hosting two different Virtual Writers-in-Residence in 2023-2024:

• a fall term of September 1 to November 30, 2023
• a winter term of February 1 to April 30, 2024
   

The Virtual Writer-in-Residence program provides rural and isolated SWG members access to the services of a Writer-in-Residence. The position will require 12 hours a month of online one-to-one consultations with SWG members writing in all genres, totalling 36 sessions for the contract period. Preparation time for each session will include pre-reading, evaluation, and contemplation of the member’s submitted written work (up to 15 pages) and accompanying questions (approximately 1.5 hours of preparation per 1-hour session).

The Virtual Writer-in-Residence will also hold a 1-hour virtual public talk during their residency. The VWIR can suggest a topic relating to writing that benefits or interests writers in Saskatchewan. This professional development talk will be hosted online via Zoom by the SWG and available as a recorded video on the SWG’s YouTube channel for the duration of the VWIR’s term. 

The VWIR provides the Guild with a monthly report including the members' names accessing the service and a final report with a brief evaluation of the program’s effectiveness. The requirements of this position are online consultations through Zoom and one online talk: readings, workshops, special events or teaching are not expected. The Virtual Writer-in-Residence is not expected to produce writing and will not be compensated for private writing time. Previous VWIRs should allow three years before re-applying for this position. 

Two different candidates will be chosen for the two different VWIR periods.

Remuneration is $5000 for the three-month term (plus GST if applicable). 

The successful candidate must have:

• experience as a teacher, workshop leader, mentor, writer-in-residence, or editor
• the ability to work with writers of all genres and at different levels of experience (i.e. beginners to more established writers)
• extensive previous publications (including at least one book) and knowledge of the craft of writing in all genres
• the ability to conduct meetings in Zoom and manage the VWIR email and Zoom account independently
• the ability to commit 15-20 hours per month
• Saskatchewan residency is preferred. Out-of-province applicants must explain their connections to the Saskatchewan writing community in their application.

Applications must include:
 

• Cover letter outlining your ability to meet the position’s requirements, information about what you would like to speak about in your 1-hour professional development talk, and which VWIR term (Sept-Nov 2023 or Feb-Apr 2024) you prefer
• Literary CV (max 5 pages), including a list of previous publications and projects, a summary of teaching, mentoring, and/or workshop experience
• 2 letters of reference

Please submit your application by email to programs@skwriter.com by midnight Thursday, June 22, 2023.