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Location: Dawson City, Yukon
Application Deadline: Multiple
Website: writerstrust.com/bertonhouse

The Berton House Writers’ Retreat offers three-month residencies to poets, fiction writers, creative nonfiction writers, playwrights, and writers of children’s literature in the cozy two-bedroom, childhood home of Pierre Berton. Residents receive a $9,000 honorarium, part of which may be covered by the Canada Council for the Arts’ Research and Creation grant program. Travel costs to and from Dawson City are also covered. Applications are accepted online and include a letter of intent, resume, and up to 10 pages of writing.

Contact: Liz Kondo

lkondo@writerstrust.com

Location: Campbell River, British Columbia
Application Deadline: February (annual)
Website: haig-brown.bc.ca

Administered by the Museum at Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island, the Haig-Brown House is a restored heritage house on the edge of a small city that backs onto the banks of the river. Residents receive $2,000 month for a five month period that stretches from November to April. Additionally, up to $1,000 is provided for travel. The house is fully equipped and large enough to accommodate a spouse. Residents are required to spend 40% of their time on public engagement.

Contact: Ken Blackburn, 250.287.3103, public.programs@crmuseum.ca

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Application Deadline: April 30 (annual)
Website: kogawahouse.com/wp/residencies/

Administered by the Historic Joy Kogawa House Society, this residency is available to writers continuing work on a writing project. Applicants must have published two books and have previous teaching and public speaking experience. Residencies are self-supporting and run for a two-month period at a time convenient to the successful candidate. Writers are expected to host at least one public event during each of the two months of their residency.




Contact: Visit kogawahouse.com/wp/contact/

Location: Vernon, British Columbia
Application Deadline: Due to pandemic restrictions, this program is currently on hold. For information about self-directed opportunities for writers and artists, please follow the link below.

Website: caetani.org/self-directed-residencies-for-artists-and-writers/

For four weeks during the month of October, established and emerging Canadian writers working in any genre are provided accommodation, studio space, and a $1,000 honorarium to live and work in the Caetani Cultural Centre. Residents will stay in one of the heritage house’s three rooms and will share with other artists-in-residence a living room, kitchen, and bathroom on the second floor of a building. Residents are responsible for travel and food costs. Applicants are selected by the Kalamalka Press editorial board. Writers are encouraged to participate in or offer a community event during their stay (reading, public workshop, class visits). For the remaining 11 months of the year, the Centre operates a fee-based self-directed residency programs with rates per night ranging between $10-$30.

Contact: Visit air@caetani.org

Location: Ameliasburgh, Ontario
Application Deadline: October (annual)
Website: alpurdy.ca

The Al Purdy A-frame Association offers writers the opportunity to live and work in a space and place of inspirational literary and historic significance and resonance. Residencies are flexible, ranging from two to six weeks and up and writers receive a weekly stipend of $750. Travel is also provided. To be eligible, applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Writers at all stages of their career are accepted, with strong consideration given to those in the early stages of their careers.

Contact: Visit alpurdy.ca/residency

Location: Eastend, Saskatchewan
Application Deadline: September 1 (annual)
Website: stegnerhouse.ca

Owned and operated by the Eastend Arts Council, Wallace Stegner House is available for 11 monthly residencies for $500/month. Writers, visual and performing artists from around the world are invited to apply for this residency. The application deadline is September 1 annually. One month of the year is reserved for the winner of the Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts and the application deadline for the grant is April 30 annually for the following calendar year. The winner of the grant receives $500 and is given the choice of which month they’d like to come. The writer is required to give one reading and/or workshop in the Eastend School and one public reading. Applicants for the Grant must be published Canadian writers and their application must include a sample of their work and a statement on why they want to come to Eastend.

Contact: Ethel Wills at 306.295.3670 or admin@stegnerhouse.ca

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Application Deadline: June (annual)
Website: calgarylibrary.ca/apply-author-in-residence/

The program typically runs for three months in the fall. Residents are required to spend 17.5 hours per week at the Central Library, leaving the remaining time for writing. The resident acts as a mentor to emerging and established writers and planned activities include individual consultations, delivery of writing programs and workshops, and public readings. Remuneration is approximately $4,000 per month. Accommodation is not provided.

Contact: air@calgarylibrary.ca

Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Application Deadline: Fall (annual)
Website: epl.ca/writer-in-residence

Run concurrently with the Metro Writer-in-Residence program, the Edmonton Public Library provides a writer $42,488 for a year-long residency (which includes six weeks vacation). To be eligible, applicants must have previously published one book, have instruction/facilitation experience, and a reliable method of transportation to allow for travel throughout Edmonton and area. Half of a resident’s time is devoted to library programs and projects and the other half is for personal writing. Local travel assistance is provided but accommodation is not. Applicants must provide a cover letter, resume, two references, and a writing sample. Leading candidates will be interviewed.

Contact: Katherine Gibson,
780.496.1054, katherine.gibson@epl.ca

Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Application Deadline: Fall (annual)
Website: metrowir.com

Run concurrently with the Edmonton Public Library Writer-in-Residence program, and run in partnership between the Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, and Strathcona County libraries, this residency provides a writer $42,488 for a year-long period (which includes six weeks vacation). To be eligible, applicants must have previously published one book, have instruction/facilitation experience, and a a reliable method of transportation to allow for travel throughout Edmonton and area. Half of a resident’s time is devoted to library programs and projects and the other half is for personal writing. Local travel assistance is provided but accommodation is not. Applicants must provide a cover letter, resume, two references, and a writing sample. Leading candidates will be interviewed.

Contact: Katherine Gibson, 780.496.1054, katherine.gibson@epl.ca

Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Application Deadline: April (annual)
Website: reginalibrary.ca/about/in-residence-programs

Running from August to May, this residency is independently funded by the Regina Public Library. Residents are required to spend at least 40% of their time on public projects and activities, including consultations, community and school visits, and leading group workshops and seminars that serve and support the Regina writing community. Residents receive a $40,000 stipend. Accommodation is not provided.

Contact: Colleen Hawkesford, 306.777.6015, chawkesford@reginalibrary.ca

Location: Richmond, British Columbia
Application Deadline: April (annual)
Website: richmond.ca/culture/artists/writerinresidence

Organized by the City of Richmond in partnership with the Richmond Public Library, Minoru Centre for Activity Living, and Richmond Arts Centre, this residency seeks to place public programming in each venue. The Expression of Interest is for a full-time position (35 hours/week) and residents are required to spend 25% of their time working with and engaging the public. Subject to Canada Council funding, the residency runs from September 29 to November 24. Residents receive $4,000 per month. Writers are expected to cover accommodation and travel costs.

Contact: Loryn LeGear, llegear@richmond.ca

Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Application Deadline: November (annual)
Website: saskatoonlibrary.ca/wir

Running from September to May, the nine-month residency provides residents with a $40,000 honorarium and an office in the library’s main branch. Writers are expected to devote 40% of their time to public programs and projects, including workshops, readings, and manuscript consultations. 

Contact: Community Librarians community@saskatoonlibrary.ca

Location: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Application Deadline: October (annual)
Website: southshorepubliclibraries.ca

Established in 2010 and organized by the South Shore Public Libraries, the residency is available to all applicants that have previously published one book; however, preference is given to local candidates. The program is fully dependent upon Canada Council funding, which must be obtained by the writer; SSPL will assist with the application process after discussion and agreement with the applicant beforehand. The residency may not be offered every year, and compensation is based on the grant funding received. Residents are required to participate in consultations and related public activities. Accommodation is not provided.

Contact: Jeff Mercer, 902.240.5774, jmercer@southshorepubliclibraries.ca

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Application Deadline: December (4 month residency - Spring) and late spring (2 month residency - Fall)
Website: torontopubliclibrary.ca/writer-in-residence

Alternating between the Toronto Reference Library and the North York Central Library are a four-month spring residency (Feb-May) and a two-month fall residency (Oct-Nov). Each residency provides writers with a $4,000 per month stipend. Residents are required to devote 40% of their time to public programming, the bulk of which will be manuscript reviews but may also include consultations, workshops, and panel participation. More often than not the resident will be working in literary fiction, but the focus of the residency changes to other genres year-by-year.

Contact: (Toronto) Rosa Pinto, 416-393-7017, pjacklin@torontopubliclibrary.ca; (North York) Greg Kelner, 416-395.5648, gkelner@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Application Deadline: late spring (annual)
Website: vpl.ca

Writers receive a monthly $4,000 honorarium for this residency, which runs for four months in the fall (generally, September through December). Each year, the call for applications is posted in December and identifies a specific genre or form (2016 was crime fiction, 2017 is romance, etc). The residency is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and the VPL Friends of the Library. Residents are expected to find their own accommodation. A writer’s time is divided 60% for personal writing projects and 40% for library programming and projects. The writer-in-residence mentors emerging writers, facilitates writing workshops, and plans engaging events featuring their work and the work of other authors.

Contact: 604.331.3687, programs@vpl.ca

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Application Deadline: late June or early July (annual)
Website: wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/whatshappening/writerinres.aspx

This seven month residency runs from October to April and is open to writers in all genres. A writer’s time is divided 60% for personal writing projects and 40% for community engagement projects. To be eligible, writers must have published two books.

Contact: Danielle Pilon, 204.986.2802, dpilon@winnipeg.ca

Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Application Deadline: September 15 (annual)
Website: ualberta.ca/english-film-studies/programs/writer-in-residence program

Residents receive $50,000 (plus benefits) for this nine-month residency, which runs from September to May. To be eligible, writers must have one previously published book. It is assumed that applicants live in Edmonton during the duration of the residency. As an added perk, residents receive a one-week residency at the Leighton Artist Colony at the Banff Centre.

Contact: Marilyn Dumont, mdumont@ualberta.ca

Location: Athabasca, Alberta (virtual residency)
Application Deadline: By invitation only
Website: writer-in-residence.athabascau.ca/

Athabasca’s program is a unique virtual residency. The eventual resident will be an established author in one or more of the following genres: poetry, fiction, drama, literary nonfiction, screenwriting, and new media writing. The writer-in-residence must be someone with teaching capabilities and be familiar with working in an online environment. Dependent upon funding, residents receive an honorarium that ranges from $18,000 to 45,000. The residency usually starts in September and runs 8 to 12 months. A program committee selects the writer-in-residence each year among nominations by the members of the committee.

Contact: Angie Abdou, 1.844.685.0376, aabdou@athabascau.ca

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Application Deadline: December (annual)
Website: ucalgary.ca/cdwp

Lasting 10 months, from September to June, this residency is one of the highest paid Canadian residencies. To be eligible, candidates need to have published/produced one to four works and have community engagement experience, such as teaching or mentoring writers. Half of the resident’s time is reserved for their own writing projects, and half devoted to public outreach including manuscript consultations, public presentations, and other related duties. Travel is partially covered by the host, but accommodation is not. Residents also receive a two-week residency at the Banff Centre's Leighton Artists' Colony. 

Contact: Caitlyn Spencer, CDWP Coordinator, 403.220.8177, cdwp@ucalgary.ca

Location: Abbotsford, British Columbia
Application Deadline: September (annual)
Website: ufv.ca/english/writer-in-residence/

Lasting 10 weeks, from January to April, this residency is open to writers who have previously published at least two books with an established publishing house. The resident holds office hours two days a week, provides the keynote address at Mission Writers and Readers festival, offers two readings and two workshops at the university, provides guest lectures in creative writing and literature classes, and writes the forward for Louden Singletree annual issue. A generous stipend is attached to the position. The resident is responsible for their own travel and living arrangements.

Contact: Andrea MacPherson, 604.504.7441 x4260 andrea.macpherson@ufv.ca

Location: Guelph, Ontario
Application Deadline: January (annual)
Website: uoguelph.ca/arts/sets/

Organized by the University of Guelph School of English and Theatre Studies, the writer-in-residence program is offered once a year for a 12 week term, in either the fall or winter academic term. Writers receive $20,000 and are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. To be eligible writers must be established in their field and commit to providing public consultations during their residency and participating in three public events.

Contact: Ann Wilson, annwilso@uoguelph.ca

Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Application Deadline: June (annual)
Website: wlu.ca/information-for/community-members/literary-awards/edna-staebler-awards/edna-staebler-laurier-writer-in-residence/applications.html

Residents receive $2,000/week for an 8-12 week residency. (Length of residency is determined and advertised each spring.) Writers-in-residence are required to devote 40% of their time to planning and facilitating community programming at the university's three campuses (Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford). Travel costs are covered by the host.

Contact: Dr. Tanis MacDonald, tmacdonald@wlu.ca

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Application Deadline: November (annual)
Website: umanitoba.ca/centres/ccwoc/writer_in_residence

This three-month residency usually takes place between September and December. Writers spend approximately 16 hours per week providing mentorship and practical artistic advice to developing writers and storytellers. They also give a limited number of readings and/or performances on campus and lead an informal non-credit workshop. The writer-in-residence will receive a $15,000 stipend, and accommodation and travel expenses will be covered.

Contact: Warren Cariou, 204.480.1065, ccwoc@umanitoba.ca

Location: Montreal, Quebec
Application Deadline: By invitation. Inquiries welcome.
Website: mcgill.ca/english/writer-residence

This Montreal-based residency runs for four months alternating each year between the fall and winter academic terms. Writers must have an established publication track-record. Preference is given to Canadian writers, but international writers are also eligible. Residents are required to teach a weekly three-hour workshop as well as participate in other public activities and make themselves available to students and faculty. A stipend of approximately $17,500 is provided. Accommodation and travel are not provided.

Contact: Trevor Ponech, 514.398.4400 x09846, trevor.ponech@mcgill.ca

Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Application Deadline: A call for applications is posted every two to three years. The next call will likely be in 2022.
Website: english.humanities.mcmaster.ca/about-us/mable-pugh-taylor-writer-in-residence/

This eight-month residency program runs annually from September to April. Residents receive a $30,000 stipend and are responsible for accommodation and travel costs. To be eligible, writers must have published a minimum of two books with a professional publishing house, have made a significant contribution to their area of specialty over a number of years, still be active in their profession, and intend to work on a new writing project during their residency. The resident has an office at both the university and Hamilton Public Library to hold regular meetings with apprentice writers for the equivalent of two days a week. The resident will also work with the McMaster and Hamilton communities through public readings, classroom visits, group workshops, and/or seminars.

Contact: Sophie Goellnicht, 905.525.9140 x28629, goellnsk@mcmaster.ca

Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Application Deadline: Summer (annual)
Website: mun.ca/english/more/place/WriterinResidence.php

The resident will work on their own writing projects while making 40% of their time available to students and writers within the university and in the community at large. The residency runs for four months, in either the fall or winter semester. Writers will receive approximately $20,000, return air fare, and an office space on campus, and accommodation.  

Contact: Dept. of English, 709.864.8277, english@mun.ca 

Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Application Deadline: November (annual)
Website: unb.ca/fredericton/arts/graduate/english/about.html#writer

An eight month residency beginning in September and covering both academic terms. Writers are required to give public readings, lectures, and workshops and to travel within New Brunswick for short periods to meet with writers. A stipend of $37,000 is provided. The writer is required to cover their own accommodation and travel costs.

Contact: Mark Jarman, 506-458-7398, mjarman@unb.ca

Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Application Deadline: By invitation. Inquiries welcome.
Website: arts.uottawa.ca/english/about/writer-in-residence

Residents are selected by a committee composed of Canadian literature and creative writing professors. There is no official application process, though inquiries are welcome. The residency runs for a six month period in either the fall or winter academic term. The Department of English provides a modest honorarium and an opportunity to teach a class (which pays about $8000) and invited writers are encouraged to apply for a Canada Council Grant to supplement this income. Living expenses are not provided. 

Contact: Chair, Dept. of English, 613-562-5764, english@uottawa.ca

Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Application Deadline: March 20, 2020
Website: sheridancollege.ca/academics/faculties/humanities-and-social-sciences/writer-in-residence

Lasting between September to April, this residency provides writers a total compensation of $56,000. To be eligible, candidates need to have published two books and have experience working in a mentorship capacity, organizing cultural events, and discussing writing in different genres and modes. Residents are required to devote 24 hours per week to community engagement, which will include office hours as well as planning and curating reading events and various class visitations. Residents will be provided office space on campus. Travel and accommodation are not covered.

Contact: cwp@sheridancollege.ca

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Application Deadline: By invitation only
Website: sfu.ca/english/writer-in-residence.html

This eight-month residency program is focused upon writers that have a strong publishing track-record, are active in the public sphere, and have mentoring experience. The residency is by invitation only, with an internal committee approaching a shortlist of candidates and requesting applications. Residents hold office hours, consult with students, provide manuscript evaluations, and participate in a public project, such as a lecture or workshop. The host covers travel costs and supplies a stipend.

Contact: Jeff Derksen, 778.782.5431, jderksen@sfu.ca

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Application Deadline: By invitation only
Website: utsc.utoronto.ca/engdept/writers-residence-utsc

Occurring during the winter academic term, this 13-week residency is for Canadian writers with an established reputation. The residency is by invitation only. Residents hold office hours, consult, run occasional workshops, and visit classes. An undisclosed stipend is provided from which residents cover accommodation and travel expenses.

Contact: Andrew Westoll, 416 208-2234, andrew.westoll@utoronto.ca

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Application Deadline: By invitation only
Website: english.utoronto.ca/facultystaff/wir.htm

Occurring during the winter academic term, this four month residency is for Canadian writers with an established reputation. The residency is currently by invitation only. Because there are no funds to cover an author's travel, it usually goes to Toronto-based authors. Residents are required to mentor, consult, teach a weekly writing workshop, hold office hours, and deliver at least one reading. An undisclosed stipend is provided.

Contact: Sangeeta Panjwani, Dept of Enligsh, english@chass.utoronto.ca

Location: London, Ontario
Application Deadline: October 30 (annual)
Website: uwo.ca/english/people/about_wir.html

The residency program begins in September at the start of the academic year, and is usually between four to eight months. To be eligible, writers must have an established publication record and work in the fields of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or playwriting. Strong consideration is given to applicants’ intentions with working with apprentice writers and adding to the cultural life of the community. Residents receive a stipend from which they cover accommodation and travel expenses.

Contact: Mary Helen McMurran, mmcmurr2@uwo.ca