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 three sessions per residency period.
Please register by filling out the form under "Participant Registration" below.
Thank you to all writers who accessed this program! Please note that the Fall (Sept-Nov 2024) Virtual Writer-in-Residence is CLOSED to new applications. Our Virtual Writer-in-Residence Meredith Hambrock will continue to work with registered writers until the end of her term on November 30th.
If you are interested in working with our next Virtual Writer-in-Residence, please watch this space for more information about our Winter term (February-April 2025).
Meredith Hambrock has worked in writing rooms on over 100 episodes of TV Comedy. She most recently served as Executive Story Editor on the sitcom “Corner Gas Animated.” In 2022, her episode “A Lot to Be Desired” was nominated for a Leo Award. Her debut mystery novel, “OTHER PEOPLE’S SECRETS”, was published in September by Crooked Lane Books and was called “audacious” and “fabulous” by the New York Times Book Review and was nominated for a Lefty Award in the Best Debut Mystery Category. Her next novel, “SHE’S A LAMB!” will be published in April 2025 by ECW Press.
Hello Writers! My name is Meredith. I primarily write genre-adjacent fiction with a literary bent. Alongside my writing practice, I’ve worked as a writing instructor, mentor, and Writer in Residence. I have a very easy-going, supportive personality, and love to read and talk with writers about their work. I’m a real nerd for narrative structure, character-driven story-telling, and revision. In addition, I’m happy to talk about craft issues, career, or anything else that might enhance your relationship to your writing practice. Can’t wait to see you on Zoom!
To learn more about Meredith and her writing, please watch her introductory video.
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.
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. Poetry may be single-spaced or double-spaced; please make sure each new poem starts on a new page (submit a maximum of 10 poems unless the poems are multi-page poems);
- 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
Registration is now closed.
- Fill out our registration form to confirm your eligibility. Participants are required to register once per term. Your 15 page writing submission for your first consultation is required for your registration form. If registered successfully, subsequent meetings and submission of writing for those meetings may 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
