Advice on Your Writing From an Experienced Author
The Virtual Writer-in-Residence (VWiR) program provides opportunities for Saskatchewan writers at all levels of development and genres to receive guidance and advice on a specific writing project from an established Saskatchewan writer.
The program gives SWG members who live in Saskatchewan outside of Regina and Saskatoon access to the services of a VWiR. The VWiR will meet one-on-one with SWG members through a one-hour video call to talk about the individual’s submitted writing and questions they have about writing.
Members may submit proposals, manuscripts or writing samples up to 15 pages in any genre for consultation. The VWiR will read your submission and be prepared to discuss your work and answer your questions during your consultation.
Members can access this free service a maximum of one session per month, up to two sessions per residency period.
Please register by filling out the form under "Participant Registration" below.
The SWG is pleased to announce Michael Mirolla as our Fall 2025 Virtual Writer-in-Residence for September 2 to October 31, 2025. The service will open for registrations on September 2 at 9:00 am.
Writer, editor, publisher, Michael Mirolla is the author of more than two dozen novels, plays, film scripts and short story and poetry collections. His novella, The Last News Vendor, won the 2020 Hamilton Literary Award. A symposium on Michael’s writing was held in Toronto on May 25, 2023. His novella, How About This …?, will be published this September. From September 2024-June 2025, Michael served as the Writer In Residence for the Regina Public Library. Michael makes his home (along with five dogs, a cat and sundry humans) on a farm outside Gananoque in the Thousand Islands area of Ontario.
My name is Michael Mirolla and I have the great honour of having been selected as the Saskatchewan Writers Guild Virtual Writer in Residence between the months of September and October, 2025. During that period, I am excited to offer one-on-one assistance and guidance via Zoom or phone to members of the SWG. With extensive experience as a writer, editor and publisher, I am ready to provide advice—be it to the novice just starting out or the multi-published looking for specific help—in any or all of these areas. So be sure to check out the SWG website for details.
Who Can Access This Service
You are eligible for this program if you are:
- a current SWG member; and
- living in Saskatchewan outside of Regina or Saskatoon.
This service is open to all Saskatchewan-based members of the SWG in good standing who do not have access to any other Writer-in-Residence programs. Writers of any genre and level of ability are welcome to access the VWiR.
Members who live in Regina or Saskatoon should refer to the Writer-in-Residence programs at their regional library for similar services. Regina writers can work with the Regina Public Library Writer-in-Residence and Saskatoon writers can work with the Saskatoon Public Library Writer-in-Residence.
The VWiR will work with a maximum of 12 writers per month, on a first-come, first-served basis. NEW - writers can only access this service twice per term.
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for this VWiR service, please email programs@skwriter.com.
Submission Guidelines for Your Writing Sample
The writing that you would like to submit to the Virtual Writer-in-Residence should follow the SWG's standard submission guidelines:
- Maximum of 15 pages double-spaced prose or a maximum of 10 poems/10 pages of multi-page poems. Poetry may be single-spaced or double-spaced; please make sure each new poem starts on a new page;
- Submissions must be in English;
- All material must be typed in body-text fonts like Times New Roman, Courier, or Arial;
- Font size should be 12 pt;
- Pages must include 1" margins;
- Pages should be numbered sequentially;
- Title and your name included in either header or footer;
- Word documents only; we do not accept PDFs, Google docs or other formats
Participant Registration
- Fill out our registration form to confirm your eligibility. Participants are required to register once per term. Your 15 page/10 poem writing submission for your first consultation is required for your registration form. If registered successfully, a follow up meeting and submission of writing will be arranged directly with the VWIR.
- Registrations are processed in 2-3 business days; please email programs@skwriter.com if you have not received a response to your registration after 2-3 business days to ensure we've received your registration.
- The SWG will connect you with the Virtual Writer-in-Residence to arrange your virtual consultation.
- The VWiR will respond to your email and arrange a one-hour meeting on a mutually convenient date and time. The VWIR may have specific hours during which they schedule meetings but may be flexible outside these dates/times.
- You will receive an emailed invitation link from the VWiR for your Zoom meeting. Click on the link to join the call.
For more information, please contact:
Program Director
T: 306.791.7743 | E: programs@skwriter.com
