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.
Our Fall VWIR is Cassidy McFadzean:
Cassidy McFadzean is the author of three books of poetry, most recently Crying Dress (House of Anansi, 2024). Her poetry has appeared in magazines across Canada and the US, and her fiction has appeared in Joyland, Hazlitt, and The Walrus. Cassidy earned an MA from the University of Regina, an MFA in Poetry from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, an MFA in Fiction from Brooklyn College, and now lives in Toronto. She was the 2025-2026 Writer-in-Residence at Sheridan College, and the 2025-2026 Poet-in-Residence at Arc Poetry Magazine. Her debut novel Giant Mother is forthcoming from House of Anansi in 2027.
As a Regina-born poet and who had the incredible opportunity to work with Saskatchewan writers as virtual Writer-in-Residence for the 2024 Virtual Facilitated Retreat, I’m so excited to once again work with rural writers in Saskatchewan! I’m eager to give feedback on poetry, fiction, and non-fiction manuscripts and to advise on submitting to literary journals, applying for grants, compiling chapbooks and manuscripts, and more. My mentoring philosophy is to meet each piece on its own terms, and to help writers develop the unique value of their voices. I hope to create a supportive space that leaves writers feeling inspired with everything from revision ideas to reading recommendations.
To learn more about Cassidy, her mentorship philosophy and her own work, watch her introductory video here: https://youtu.be/B3_GJUO_z2U?si=-AESYKXKFWi1w88n
Registrations open September 1, 2026 and close October 31, 2026.
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. 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
SWG Guiding Statement on Generative AI (GenAI)
As the SWG values human expression and creativity, we only accept human generated work, that is not written, developed, or assisted by Generative AI tools, to protect: authors, literacy, critical thinking, ethical practices, new ideas, education, professional development and craft, community and against misinformation.
In the Virtual Writer-in-Residence program, this means that we do not accept work for consultation from participants that has been created using GenAI. We trust that writers will submit their human-created work for a human-led consultation. In return, we confirm that the Guild and/or the VWIR will not use GenAI tools in the process of giving feedback on your work. We believe that the process of human interaction, creativity and encouragement has the most benefits for our writers.
Participant Registration
- Fill out our registration form (below) to confirm your eligibility. Participants are required to register once per term. Your 15 page prose/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.
- 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.
- If you would like to register for a second consultation, please arrange directly with the VWIR after your first meeting.
Register Here
For more information, please contact:
Program Director
T: 306.791.7743 | E: programs@skwriter.com
