Annual Report

2017/2018 Contents

3 about the writers’ guild of 4 president’s report 5 Executive director’s report 6 Youth committee 7 Fund development committee 8 report on activities 12 wga events 14 wga literary awards 15 important acknowledgments 16 donors 17 staff and board 18 committees and volunteers 19 treasurer’s report and financial statements

Front cover photos, clockwise from left:

Todd Babiak gives a keynote address at the 2017 conference. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

Candas Jane Dorsey accepts the Golden Pen Award at the 2017 Gala. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

Left to right: , Samantha Warwick, and Denise Chong at the April 3, 2018 event. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

2 about the writers’ guild of alberta

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) In 2018 we have such as retreats. was formed in October 1980 on SAIT • Reduced rates for workshops, campus to provide a meeting ground 1008 members conferences, and other literary events. and collective voice for all the writers hailing from • Subscription to the weekly email of the province. Our members write newsletter WriteClick. in every genre and at every level of 106 communities • Subscription to the quarterly magazine expertise. across Alberta. WestWord. • Access to the Manuscript Reading The WGA helps give Alberta writers craft; Service. a sense of unity and community, V. Knowledge and ongoing development • Opportunity to apply for the and is the largest provincial writers’ are fundamental to creative growth. Mentorship Program. organization in . • Support for starting critiquing groups. Membership • Support for planning WGA events in WGA Vision Statement WGA membership is open to all writers rural communities. An Alberta where past, present, and resident or formerly resident of Alberta. • Access to the members-only section future contributions of writers are Membership, valid for 12 months from of the WGA website and a profile in the supported, acknowledged, and valued. the date of purchase, is available for Member Directory. $80, $50 for seniors (age 60+), or $40 for • Discounted subscription rates for WGA Mission Statement low income. Post-secondary students select Alberta literary magazines. The Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s mission may receive free membership for the • Subscription Box sampler of Alberta is to inspire, connect, support, duration of their studies. Lifetime literary magazines (for an additional encourage, and promote writers and membership may be awarded in $25) writing, to safeguard the freedom to recognition of service to the Alberta write and to read, and to advocate for writing community. As of 2018, we have the well-being of writers. the following number of members: • 386 Regular During our 2017/2018 sea- WGA Values and Guiding Beliefs • 291 Senior son we presented The WGA believes that: • 255 Student I. The literary arts are essential to • 61 Low Income 46 events and the well-being of all individuals, • 15 Lifetime programs, Approximately one third of our communities, and the economy of attracted Alberta; members reside in Edmonton, one II. Working in partnership with other third in Calgary, and one third in other 1899 participants, organizations contributes to the Alberta communities. and hired quality of life in Alberta; III. Networking and collaboration WGA members receive the following 179 artists. are beneficial to innovation and the benefits: creative process; • Free or discounted entrance to monthly IV. A free and safe environment is events in Edmonton and Calgary. essential for writers to pursue their • Members-only programs and events

3 President’s Report

My introduction to the Writers’ Guild of have halted operations of the Fund be delving into the report, its findings Alberta was at a conference three years Development Committee. It was decided and recommendations, in an effort to ago. Before that time I was not aware of the best way to serve the WGA was to improve our operations. the great writing community across all of have all Board members participate Alberta. In that Annual General Meeting in strategizing fund development. I would also like to give special I was elected to the Board of Directors. That being said, if you are the type of recognition to the Youth Committee The following years I was elected to Vice individual who is passionate about fund whose efforts and activities have President, then President. I have been a development, please contact us. been drawing increasing attention part of companies and non-profit groups and attendance. Their dedication alike, from technology to sports groups, At the previous Annual General and passion for writing gives us all and none of them have compared to the Meeting, the membership tasked the confidence that the future of writing in level of professionalism, respect, and Board of Directors to strike a task Alberta is strong and growing. dedication found in the Writers’ Guild force, its goal to explore how equity of Alberta. Despite our differences I and inclusiveness can be addressed Once again, I would like to thank Carol have found a great willingness to accept within our association and the writing Holmes and the rest of the WGA staff for and encourage others. It is still my community in general. I’m proud to say their hard work, skill, and persistence. unwavering belief that we are greater that the members of the Equity Task They are truly the living heart of the together than we could ever be apart. Force and the WGA staff have completed WGA. their task and presented a thorough and This year the Board of Directors has thought provoking final report to the One final thanks I would like to give been busy navigating the somewhat Board. I’m also proud to say the report goes to Anne Logan, who will be leaving turbulent waters of operating an arts confirms that the WGA already has some the Board this year. She has held many organization in Alberta. excellent equity practices, affirming positions in her five years of service, all our commitment to helping all writers. with spectacular skill. Her leadership, First, for logistics reasons, we In the coming months the Board will intelligence, and humour will be missed.

As for myself, I look forward to serving in my role as Past President over the next year. If you happen to see me at the conference, gala, or any other place feel free to stop and say hello.

I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors in the coming year.

Dustin Archibald President

The 2017/2018 Board of Directors at the 2017 AGM. Clockwise from left: Joan Crate, Falon Reed, Dustin Archibald, Alison Clarke, Carol Parchewsky, Anne Logan. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

4 Executive Director’s Report

The 2017/2018 year has been a and individual donors. Please see the distributed in 2017 to rights holders, a productive time for the WGA. The Youth listing of support in this report and 46% decline from 2016, and licensing Committee has been active and we have offer your thanks. royalties collected from the education a growing number of young writers in sector have declined by 89% since 2012. A our membership, a regular venue has While funds have increased, we will review of the Copyright Act is underway been secured to host member nights in remain vigilant in our spending and by the Standing Committee on Industry, Edmonton, and WestWord has published engage actively in fundraising and Science and Technology. For ways you two issues with a new design and format. sponsorship to cover program costs in can make your voice known please Please review the full annual report to particular for those of the mentorship check the Access Copyright website and see where the WGA has been active, and program, rural outreach, the Borderlines watch for postings in WriteClick. if you have questions or comments do be program and its expansion to Calgary, in touch. I would be happy to talk. and the Literary Awards. If you have In closing, I would like to thank the suggestions for support or would like board for their ongoing support and An Equity task force was struck as per a to discuss, please contact me, your guidance with a special thanks to Anne motion at the 2017 AGM. Thank you to assistance would be appreciated Logan for her five years of incredible task force members Alison Clarke, Rona guidance and inspiration; to the staff for Altrows, Victoria Bailey, Stuart McKay, I attended the Access Copyright AGM their hard work, skill, and diligence; to Catalina Morales, and Julie Sedivy for in April. The impact of the inclusion of our funders, sponsors, and donors, and their insight, energy and hard work. A education in the “fair dealing” exemption to you, our members. March snowstorm extended the term in the Copyright Modernization Act of of the task force with the in-person 2012 remained a focus of the meeting. I wish you all the best with your writing. meeting held in April. A report with Since 2012, creators and publishers recommendations has been submitted have seen a drastic reduction in their Carol Holmes and tabled for a full review by board and income for the use of their work by Executive Director staff in the months ahead. the education sector: $6,744,000 was

The WGA received Canada Council operational funding for the first time with $35,000 to be received annually for a three-year term beginning 2017/2018. This funding, along with that of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, and the Edmonton Arts Council, are a significant contribution to the operational costs of the WGA. We are grateful for the support provided for program costs through grants, foundations, sponsors

Carol and Lulu at the WGA head office in Edmonton. Photo by Samantha Warwick.

5 Youth Committee

The Youth Committee continues to incredibly important to gain feedback local authors (Kate Boorman, S.G. bring together exciting new initiatives on what types of advice young writers Wong, Eileen Bell, Rhonda Parrish, and for young writers in the Alberta literary are interested in seeing addressed in Minister Faust). Thanks to a pooling of community. the future. As with our social media WGA, CAA-AB, On Spec, and our authors’ content, whether these videos are networks, as well as pulling together an As of the AGM, Akosua will have reaching people can be hit or miss. engaging marketing plan, we were able organized another Ask an Author Event, This year, we have begun implementing to bring in 25 – 30 people to the event. scheduled to take place at the WGA supplementary materials alongside the It has received overwhelmingly positive Conference on June 3. This year we vlog in the form of written content. We feedback and CAA-AB is very eager to do bring together a panel comprised of Lisa hope that by offering additional written more collaborating with the WGA in the Murphy-Lamb, Suzette Mayr, Laura Ivy materials, the multimedia function future. I have met with the CAA-AB team Mills, Erin Vance, and Marcello Di Cintio. will be more accessible to different for extensive strategic planning and We made a conscious effort this year to consumers’ needs and interests. (We intends to keep open communications include young writers in the panel itself empathize with people who may not be with them in order to pool our resources. in order to ensure our experts will relate as interested in videos, but who are still Networking events already show a lot to a younger audience, thus we have a interested in consuming the content.) of potential going forward and we look solid mix of seasoned authors (Murphy- There is an opportunity here to produce forward to building more connections Lamb, Mayr, and Di Cintio), as well as more regular content for the WGA blog between both individuals and groups emerging young writers (Mills and in the coming year, also with natural within the writing community. Vance). We endeavour to stream this overlap with WestWord. Tyler and I event live on Facebook in order to reach have already begun writing features for Sophie Pinkoski both an online and in-person audience. WestWord, and are open to writing more Youth Member at Large pieces in the coming months. Erin has carried on this year with managing the social media pages I joined the Youth Committee for the for the youth committee. She shares first time this year with an ambition to any relevant events, submission present monthly networking events to opportunities, and similar content to young professionals. We hosted our first the Facebook and Twitter pages. As Erin networking event in January 2018, mainly Follow the Youth Committee’s is based in Calgary, it is essential that to get a feel for what types of events and Writers Hub for Youth the other members keep her abreast on advice young professionals wish to see. on Social Media Edmonton events and opportunities. We intended to start small and build our way up to panels and workshops Reaching a wider audience remains a once we gained steam with a regular @wgayouthhub challenge, particularly with shifting audience. In March, Greg Bechtel, the platform algorithms, but we look Canadian Authors Association (Alberta forward to coming up with more Branch) Writer in Residence, got in @WGA_Youth_Hub innovative ways to share online content. touch with us with a collaboration proposal. In April, we joint-hosted a @writers_hub4youth Tyler posts monthly vlogs offering sci-fi networking event with the CAA, themed writing advice. We find it featuring editors of On Spec, and several

6 Fund development Committee

The Fund Development Committee had We left with a number of different and At the March 18 Board of Directors’ high hopes and expectations for the exciting ideas, and it was a successful meeting, the board voted to disband year. We quickly began work on our session. the Fund Development Committee as it new strategic plan, discussing what stands and instead conduct its business worked well the previous year and In early 2018, our Past President through the board directly. The item brainstorming new ideas. Anne Logan stepped in as Chair of of fundraising has been added as an the Fund Development Committee, agenda item to all board meetings. The In conjunction with our conference last organizing meetings and strategizing board understands how important fund year, we held our annual silent auction for our continued growth. However, the development is to the ongoing financial and raised $1,050. This year, Joan Crate committee has had a few challenges. growth of the WGA, and we hope to graciously offered to take over the silent further our fundraising opportunities auction with the goal of expansion. The At the beginning of the year, the in the future. first goal for our strategic plan was to committee was comprised of three board continue raising funds for the WGA members and one WGA member, so we Falon Reed Endowment Fund. Next, we wanted to put a call-out in WriteClick for more Treasurer grow our prospect pipeline, which is volunteers. We knew we would need a comprehensive list of previous and far more hands to get our ideas from potential donors and benefactors to the the outline phase to the finished work. WGA, and begin pursuing leads from that We were pleased to welcome two new list. At the board retreat in September, members to the team. Unfortunately, we held a brainstorming session with we faced busy schedules and lost other board members to discover fundraising members along the way. avenues we could potentially pursue.

Kate and Karen’s Magical YA Emporium & Chat Table at the 2017 Conference. Centre front: Kate Boorman and Karen Bass. Far Left: Falon Reed. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

7 Report on activities

Annual Conference • Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction The 2018 Alberta Literary Awards The WGA Annual Conference 2017: (fiction book) received a total of 261 submissions. Juxtapositions was held June 10 – 11, at • Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction Lister Centre at the . (nonfiction book) Borderlines Writers Circle Prior to the start of this conference, • Stephan G. Stephannson Award for The Borderlines Writers Circle aims The Writing Stick: Sharing Indigenous Poetry (poetry book) to serve immigrant and multilingual Stories, took place at the same location • Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for writers who live in Edmonton and to allow participants to take part in both Drama (published or produced play) assist them with establishing a events. Over a dozen writers shared • R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s literary career in Canada. The program their talents as presenters, panelists, Literature (alternates between picture specifically explores multiculturalism and moderators, and 98 Alberta writers book and chapter book) in the context of the literary arts, joined us in total. • Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Story and actively addresses linguistic and (published short story) cultural barriers to becoming part Highlights of the conference program • James H. Gray Award for Short of the Canadian literary scene. It has included: Nonfiction (published short nonfiction) created opportunities for widening • Opening Keynote with Yasuko Thanh, • Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Award the writing community in Edmonton author of Mysterious Fragrance of the (unpublished essay) and for the WGA to partner with other Yellow Mountains, in conversation with • Golden Pen Award (lifetime organizations that cultivate diversity. Diana Davidson achievement) • Multilingual Writers Forum with Participants are paired with an Susan Ouriou, Jaspreet Singh, and Alma The 2017 awards were presented at established professional Edmonton Mancilla the Alberta Literary Awards Gala on writer who serves as a mentor. At the • Kate and Karen’s Magical YA Emporium June 10, in conjunction with the WGA conclusion of the program, participants & Chat Table with Kate Boorman and Annual Conference 2017: Juxtapositions. share their work in a public reading. Karen Bass Over 100 people attended the 2017 Gala. Participants also gain public exposure • Literature and the Political panel with Shortlisted authors are also recognized by presenting through other activities Paula Simons, Todd Babiak, and Joan at well-attended annual reading events such as podcasts and guest lectures at Crate, moderated by Omar Mouallem in Edmonton and Calgary. post-secondary institutions. October • Sunday Keynote: On the Impossible, 2018 will see the release of an anthology of past participants’ work: Looking Ugly, Wonderful Meeting-Place Between “Being around other writers gives Art and Business with Todd Babiak Back, Moving Forward published by • Word Play—Using Words to Their me energy and refocuses me. Gets Mawenzi House Publishers in Toronto. Fullest workshop with Ahmed Knowmadic me back on track about my own The 2017 program ran September 2017 – • The Business of Writing—Grant May 2018 and consisted of the following Opportunities workshop with Alberta writing. Gives me new ideas, new participants and mentors:

Foundation for the Arts consultant Paul contacts and brings me up to date Reich • Mila Philipzig and Tololwa Mollel with what’s happening in the (children’s literature) Alberta Literary Awards and Gala • Leilei Chen and Ruth DyckFederau Our Alberta Literary Awards currently literary world.” (nonfiction/memoir) presents $9,600 in prizes for the • Lisa Dublin and Myrl Coulter (fiction) following awards: Conference 2017 Participant

8 • Luciana Erregue-Sacchi and Anna For a complete list of our past year’s The Capricious Short Story Panel at the Marie Sewell (poetry) events, see page 12. 2017 Conference. Left to right: Barb Howard, Deborah Willis, Rea Tarvydas, and • Shimelis Gebremichael and Jannie Richard Van Camp. Photo by Monique de St. Edwards (memoir) Manuscript Reading Service Croix • Janine (Nine) Muster and Jasmina Odor Our Manuscript Reading Service allows • Marco Melfi and Vivian Hansen (fiction) WGA members from anywhere in the (poetry) province to easily receive professional • Sherryl Melnyk and Julie Sedivy The program is extraordinarily feedback on their writing. The WGA (creative nonfiction) successful and we are currently working subsidizes 50% of the service fee to • Jacqueline Kwan and J. Jill Robinson with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre keep it affordable to writers. The service (fiction) Society to expand it to Calgary, which continues to be immensely popular does not have similar programs for and well-received, with 19 manuscripts We were able to again host five immigrant or multilingual writers. submitted in 2017/2018. Due to its apprentice/mentor pairings in 2018, However, it is a challenge to secure popularity, we exceeded our budget and due to a grant from the RBC Emerging ongoing funding to continue the had to temporarily pause the service, Artists Fund and support from Jane Edmonton program. We are seeking but donations allowed us to reopen it Stevens and the John Gillese Fund at the sponsors and donors who wish to fund before the start of the new fiscal year. Edmonton Community Foundation. these programs on a multi-year basis. Mentorship Program Events and Workshops Our Mentorship Program has been “The program was no doubt of The WGA hosts monthly events in running since 2012. The program both Edmonton and Calgary, which are matches emerging writers with great value. I have the feeling generally free to members and available established professional writers for to non-members for a small fee. Our a four-month mentorship, typically of knowing the local literary events often include professional running January through April, in which development presentations by literary the apprentice works on a writing project scene in a way that would professionals, as well as a chance for under the guidance of their mentor. Due writers to socialize and network with to the loss of Canada Council project have been just not possible other writers. We also offered events funding, the 2017 program hosted three without this wonderful with a stronger social focus such as pub apprentice/mentor pairings instead of nights and open mics. Periodically, we the usual five. opportunity.” offer workshops to develop writing skills open to all, with discounted rates The 2017 apprentices and mentors were: Borderlines Participant for members.

9 librarians, journalists, filmmakers, educators, students, and others attended. There were more than 20 phenomenal presenters from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Massachusetts. More than 40% of the attendees self-identified as Indigenous.

The WGA continues its annual partnership with Frontier College to present the Scotiabank Giller Light Bash in Calgary. The WGA Calgary office takes a leadership role in the planning and execution of this large-scale event of over 225 guests, creating an opportunity Samantha Warwick and Lulu take part in run a very successful organization. for book lovers and writers to gather and the (Not) Juxt Yoga! workshop at the 2017 Conference. Photo by Monique de St. Croix. The Edmonton Stroll of Poets has over celebrate Canadian literature, Alberta 100 active members, holds over 20 authors, and raise funds for literacy. Partnerships readings in a year and publishes a yearly The Giller Light Bash is a well-known The WGA continued the following major anthology. national cultural event and highlight of ongoing partnerships in 2017/2018: The the Canadian literary scene that started City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize, The WGA has been successfully in Toronto 16 years ago, and has grown The City of Edmonton partnering on events with the Calgary to include satellite events in Vancouver, Book Prize, and administration for the Memorial Public Library, Shelf Life Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, Thunder Edmonton Stroll of Poets. Books, Freehand Books, Audreys Books, Bay, and Halifax. the Book Publishers Association of Both The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Alberta, the Alexandra Writers’ Centre The WGA is represented on the board of Book Prize and The Robert Kroetsch City Society, and also with community the Alberta Partners for Arts & Culture; of Edmonton Book Prize continue to be friends including Metrovino Fine Wines, LitFest, Edmonton’s Nonfiction Festival; successful. The Calgary prize received the Alberta Small Brewers Association, When Words Collide; University of a record number of 48 submissions, and Yoga Santosha. The WGA has Calgary’s Calgary Distinguished Writers nearly double its previous record, also been partnering with Wordfest, Program; and the Professional Arts while the Edmonton prize received Calgary’s Reader’s Festival on an annual Coalition of Edmonton. The WGA is also 38 submissions. The WGA contracted event for 13 consecutive years; and with an organizational member of Access three successful and prominent jurors LitFest, Edmonton’s Nonfiction Festival, Copyright and PEN Canada. for each prize, oversaw the jury’s group for over 10 years. deliberations, and collected the final Read Alberta Books jury results and declarations. Close In 2017, the WGA was pleased to be part of The Read Alberta Books travelling communication and collaboration with the steering committee for The Writing library display aims to raise the profile the two cities were very successful in Stick: Sharing Indigenous Stories of Alberta-made content throughout the execution of both city prizes. The conference alongside the University the province. Books shortlisted for the Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book of Alberta Press, Alberta Aboriginal Alberta Literary Awards and the Book Prize will be presented in June 2018. Arts, Alberta Magazine Publishers Publishers Association of Alberta Book The winner of The City of Calgary W.O. Association, the Book Publishers Awards are sent to regional libraries Mitchell Book Prize will be announced Association of Alberta, Dreamspeakers for distribution to their participating as part of The Calgary Awards on June Film Festival, Edmonton Public Library, member libraries. The program started 13, 2018. and Theytus Books. The impetus for in 2013 as a joint project between the the conference was a challenge to find WGA, the Book Publishers Association The Edmonton Stroll of Poets Society innovative ways to respond to the Truth of Alberta, and the Parkland Regional has been in partnership with the WGA and Reconciliation Commission, and Library System. All seven regional for many years. The WGA continues the focus was on writing, editing and library systems currently participate. to provide administrative support to publishing Indigenous authors and stories. Writers, publishers, editors,

10 Retreats so members receive information in a continues to be a challenge to attract The WGA continues to host a winter timely fashion. WGA special bulletins new participants, particularly in the retreat at Banff Centre for Arts and are also distributed via WriteClick when younger age group. Creativity and a spring retreat at required. Strawberry Creek Lodge, which continue Colin Matty continues to serve as the to be popular. Our ten-day Banff Retreat Webinars WordsWorth Director. Course topics for was held February 2 – 11, 2018 and The Get Publishing Webinar Series was WordsWorth 2017 included experimental offered more spots than previous years. launched in 2016 after the Get Publishing writing, spoken word poetry, speculative Due to increased demand, we hosted Communications Society dissolved fiction, creative nonfiction, journalism, two writers in residence: Lee Kvern and and gifted its brand to the WGA. The humour writing, playwriting and more. Bradley Somer. A record 28 participants webinars allow more accessibility to Todd Houseman’s course Writing From attended the Banff Retreat. Our Spring presentations about the writing craft the Land, which focused on literature Strawberry Creek Retreat, May 9 – 13, and business for members who are from an Indigenous perspective, 2018, sold out with 11 participants. unable to attend our regular events in was particularly well-received by Participants consistently report that Edmonton and Calgary. They also allow participants, according to participant they love having the time to focus on us to more easily bring in presenters feedback. Activities also included Blue their writing and connect with other from outside Alberta, thus increasing Pencil Café manuscript evaluation writers at our retreats. the diversity of voices in our programs. sessions, jam sessions, free writing time, performances from guest artists, WestWord Our webinars during the 2017/2018 and outdoor camp activities. Raymond Gariépy came on at the season were: start of 2018 as the new WestWord • What Lurks Beneath: Subtext and We offer Drink the Wild Air, a winter editor. WestWord has undergone Theme with Cara Hedley, September 23, youth weekend writing retreat, as a several changes this year following 2017 chance for WordsWorth participants to recommendations by the WestWord • Rethink Situation to Develop Conflict reconnect. The 2018 program was held task force. The magazine has received in Your Story with Gail Anderson- March 9 – 11, 2018 at Kamp Kiwanis, and a fresh redesign, and contains new Dargatz, November 18, 2017 attracted 23 participants. regular features such as a column on • Demystifying the Literary Agent with legal matter for writers and profiles Carolyn Forde of Westwood Creative of writing activities happening in Artists, January 20, 2018 the province. It continues to include • Smash All teh Rulez with James “Like everyone else who comes articles on the craft, business, and life Harbeck, March 24, 2018 of writing, along with community and back to WordsWorth year after member news. WestWord is distributed WordsWorth and Drink the Wild Air quarterly to over 1200 members and WordsWorth Summer Youth Writing year, to me it’s a home. The stakeholders, and is available in both Residency, held at Kamp Kiwanis in community, the atmosphere, print and electronic editions. WestWord Bragg Creek, continues to be immensely is currently distributed to 592 members popular and an invaluable experience and the people, whether it’s by post, and 453 by email. for teen writers. Young participants experience not only improvement the Creative Team members, WriteClick in their writing, but also personal WriteClick, our email newsletter, growth, connections with like-minded Colin Matty - our wonderful continues to be distributed to members young writers, and mentorship from Director - or the instructors, who opt in to receive it—over 94% of experienced and enthusiastic artists. members. It includes current WGA The first week (July 9 – 14, 2017) was who are unabashedly kind, news, event listings, member book for participants ages 12 – 14, the second launches and readings, upcoming (July 16 – 21, 2017) for ages 15 – 19, and hilarious, intelligent, and workshops and classes, employment the third (July 23 – 28, 2017) for ages 14 – and volunteer opportunities for writers, 19. We also offered a two-week program sweet. Here, I’m home.” and up-to-date market and contest option, in which participants could listings. WriteClick is distributed weekly attend both week two and three at a WordsWorth Participant (with the exception of a slightly reduced discount. WordsWorth attracted a total frequency during the summer months) of 83 participants in 2017. Participants eagerly return to WordsWorth, but it

11 Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and WGA Events About Indigenous Peoples with Gregory Younging Memorial Park Library, March 10, 2018 A partnership between the WGA and the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. The following events were presented by the WGA from June 2017 through May 2018. WGA Presents The Writing Life: Aritha van Herk in Con- Calgary versation with Denise Chong Shelf Life Books, April 3, 2018

WGA Fall Pub Night WGA & The City of Calgary Present the W.O. Mitchell Book The Rose & Crown Pub, September 13, 2017 Prize Finalists Featuring representatives of various literary organizations Shelf Life Books, April 26, 2018 including Glenn Dixon (Creative Nonfiction Collective), Rose- Celebrating Taylor Lambert (for Darwin’s Moving), Clem & mary Griebel (), Will Lawrence (Shelf Olivier Martini (for The Unravelling) and Deborah Willis (for Life Books), JoAnn McCaig (Freehand Books), Sheri-D Wilson The Dark and Other Love Stories). (Calgary Spoken Word Festival), Rita Sirignano (Wordfest), and Caitlyn Spencer (Calgary Distinguished Writers Pro- WGA Presents Wine O’Clock: Wine & Poetry Pairings gram). Metrovino Fine Wines, May 4, 2018 In partnership with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, WGA Workshop: Write Every Day with Lisa Pasold featuring Wakefield Brewster, Cobra Collins, Kyle Flemmer, Memorial Park Library, September 23, 2017 Stuart Ian MacKay, and Laisha Rosnau.

WGA Beer & Literary Pairings WGA Workshop: Picture This: Imagery and Ideas in Poetry Shelf Life Books, October 26, 2017 with Laisha Rosnau In partnership with the Alberta Small Brewers Association Rose & Crown Pub, May 5, 2018 with readings by authors Ali Bryan, Suzette Mayr, Bradley Somer, Nikki Reimer, and Andrew Wedderburn. WGA Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist Party & Readings Rose & Crown Pub, May 16, 2018 WGA Presents the 8th Annual Scotiabank Giller Light Bash Featuring readings by Geoffrey Simon Brown, Igpy Kin, Ro- WURST Traditional Beer Hall & Restaurant, November 20, berta Rees, Cynthia Scott Wandler, and Deborah Willis. 2017 Featuring book defenders Clem Martini, Chris Turner, Cheryl Edmonton Foggo, Aritha van Herk, and Kris Demeanor.

Fall Kick-Off WGA 2017 Holiday Party & End-of-Year Readings The Almanac, September 7, 2017 Rose & Crown Pub, December 12, 2017 Featuring representatives of various literary organizations Featuring readings by Lisa Murphy-Lamb, Aaron Giovan- including David van Belle (Edmonton Public Library Writer none, and Leslie Gavel. in Residence), Gail Sidonie-Sobat (The Writers’ Union of Canada), Alice Major (Stroll of Poets), Sharon Day (Edmon- WGA Yoga & Writing Workshop Exploring Themes of Com- ton Public Library), Fawnda Mithrush (LitFest Alberta), Julie passion, Heart, Resilience, and Healing with Instructor Erin Robinson (The Writers’ Guild of Alberta), Rayanne Doucet Leather (Edmonton Poetry Festival), Jean Crozier and Caterina Ed- Yoga Santosha, February 17, 2018 wards (Finding the Unique).

WGA Freedom to Read Week—Celebrating Rebel Readers Writing Home with Gail Anderson-Dargatz and Writers The Almanac, September 16, 2017 Memorial Park Library, February 26, 2018 In partnership with CPL and Wordfest, a conversation about Open Mic Night—Read Like the Pros(e) censorship moderated by Anne Logan. The Almanac, October 5, 2017 An open mic for prose writers, hosted by Mike Gravel.

12 The 2017 Scotiabank GIller Light Bash Committee at WURST Restaurant. Photo by Monique de St. Croix.

Borderlines Writers Circle Readings Whitemud Crossing Library, March 15, 2018 Featuring Mila Philipzig, Leilei Chen, Lisa Dublin, Luciana Erregue-Sacchi, Shimelis Gebremichael, and Janine Muster.

Writers in the Hot Seat The Almanac, April 5, 2018 Featuring demonstrations by Myrl Coulter, Lisa Martin, Darrin Hagen, and Michael Hingston pitching to Matt Bowes of NeWest Press and Netta Johnson of Stonehouse Publishing.

Borderlines: Transcultural Artistic Encounters Bridging Cultures Through Writing Metro Cinema, October 15, 2017 Action for Healthy Communities, April 15, 2018 Featuring Mohamed Abdi, Aksam Alyousef, Tazeen Hasan, A conversation with Janine Muster, Luciana Erregue-Sacchi, Kate Rittner-Werkman, Asma Sayed, and Nermeen Youssef. and George Shouliang Dong, moderated by Dr. Leilei Chen. Presented in partnership with LitFest. Presented as part of Multicultural Writing Forum Series in partnership with Edmonton Chinese Writing Club. Writing the Earth: Autumn Reflections at the Garden with Jenna Butler Sci-Fi City: An Evening of Networking with On Spec and Co. University of Alberta Botanic Garden, October 29, 2017 The Almanac, April 30, 2018 Presented in partnership with the University of Alberta Featuring sci-fi literary representatives including Diane Botanic Garden. Walton (Managing Editor of On Spec magazine and author), E.C. Bell (author), Rhonda Parrish (author and editor), Kate Debbie Willis and Marco Melfi: Readings and a Discussion Boorman (author), and S.G. Wong (author and self-publish- on Finding Your Audience ing expert), hosted by Greg Bechtel (CAA-AB Writer in Resi- The Almanac, November 2, 2017 dence) and Sophie Pinkoski (WGA Youth Member at Large).

WGA Holiday Party Mentorship Program Reading The Almanac, December 7, 2017 Tiramisu Restaurant, May 5, 2018 Featuring Marty Chan and fiddler Daniel Gervais. Featuring the 2018 Mentorship Program participants Kevin Holowack, Margaret Macpherson, Rachelle Pinnow, Ken Student & Young Professional Networking Evening Rivard, Janet Chotai, Sue Farrell Holler, Lorna Carley, Merna Devaney’s Pub, January 31, 2018 Summers, Sara Zampa, and Kate Boorman.

Reading and Conversation with Marilyn Dumont Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist Reading: An Afternoon The Almanac, February 1, 2018 with the Authors Audreys Books, May 5, 2018 Blast From the Past! Featuring readings by Lisa Martin, Sadia Masud, Cynthia The Almanac, March 1, 2018 Scott Wandler, Jennifer Bowering Delisle, Kimmy Beach, Featuring eight writers (selected by a contest) sharing their Billy-Ray Belcourt, Nicole Moeller, and Igpy Kin. earliest writing, hosted by Mike Gravel.

Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples with Gregory Younging MacEwan University, March 9, 2018 A partnership between the WGA and the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.

13 Jon Whyte Memorial Essay Award (Supported by The WGA WGA literary Board of Directors) • Jennifer Delisle (Edmonton) – “Passage” • Alycia Pirmohamed (Calgary) – “How to Be a Young Muslim Girl in Post-9/11 Canada” awards • Cynthia Scott Wandler (Morinville) – “Things You Can’t Do With a Broken Left Arm”

Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama (Sponsored by Alberta Views) 2018 Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist • Geoffrey Simon Brown (Calgary) –The Circle • Karen Hines (Calgary) –Crawlspace R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (Supported • Nicole Moeller (Edmonton) – The Preacher, The Princess, by Under the Arch Youth Foundation at The Calgary Foun- and a Crow dation) • Sarah Everett (Edmonton) – Everyone We’ve Been, Knopf / Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction Penguin Random House • Stephen Bown (Canmore) – Island of the Blue Foxes: • Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Edmonton) – Bent Not Broken: Disaster and Triumph on Bering’s Great Voyage to Alaska, Madeline & Justin, Clockwise Press Douglas & McIntyre • Alex Lyttle (Calgary) – From Ant to Eagle, Central Avenue • Bernadette McDonald (Banff) –Art of Freedom: The Life Publishing and Climbs of Voytek Kurtyka, Rocky Mountain Books • Chris Turner (Calgary) – The Patch: The People, Pipelines, James H. Gray Award for Short Nonfiction and Politics of the Oil Sands, Simon and Schuster Canada • Sid Marty (Lundbreck) – “How I Did Not Try to Kill Andrew Suknaski,” Alberta Views Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction (Sponsored by Banff • Sadia Masud (Edmonton) – “Taken Over By the West,” Glass Centre for Arts and Creativity) Buffalo • Kimmy Beach (Red Deer) – Nuala: A Fable, University of • Roberta Rees (Calgary) – “Evie’s Massage Parlour,” Inanna Alberta Press Publications and Education Inc. • Suzette Mayr (Calgary) – Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall, Coach House Books Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Story (Supported by Vanna • Deborah Willis (Calgary) – The Dark and Other Love Sto- Tessier and Guy Tessier) ries, Hamish Hamilton Canada / Penguin Random House • Norma Dunning (Edmonton) – “Elipsee,” University of Al- berta Press • Igpy Kin (Calgary) – “Not Even a Mouse,” Loft on Eighth The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize (2018) • Deborah Willis (Calgary) – “The Last One to Leave,” Hamish Hamilton Canada / Penguin Random House • Billy-Ray Belcourt – This Wound is a World, Frontenac House) Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry (Supported by • Norma Dunning – Annie Muktuk and other stories, Uni- Stephan V. Benediktson) versity of Alberta Press • Benjamin Hertwig (Edmonton) – Slow War, McGill-Queen’s • Lisa Martin – Believing is not the same as Being Saved, University Press University of Alberta Press • Lisa Martin (Edmonton) – Believing is not the same as Being Saved, University of Alberta Press The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize (2017) • Joshua Whitehead (Calgary) – full-metal indiqueer, Talon- books • Taylor Lambert – Darwin’s Moving, NeWest Press • Clem & Olivier Martini – The Unravelling, Freehand Books • Deborah Willis – The Dark and Other Love Stories, Hamish Hamilton

14 IMPORTANT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta gratefully acknowledges the funding support of the following organizations and individuals in 2017/2018:

Grantors Access Copyright Foundation Alberta Culture Alberta Foundation for the Arts Calgary Arts Development Canada Council for the Arts Edmonton Arts Council

Foundations Amber Bowerman-Webb Foundation (WordsWorth) Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation (Conference) John Patrick Gillese Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation (Mentorship Program) RBC Foundation (Mentorship Program) TELUS Community Affairs (Youth Programs) Under the Arch Youth Foundation at The Calgary Foundation (R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature)

Sponsors Alberta Views (Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama) Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (WordsWorth) Audreys Books (The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize) Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction) Stephan V. Benediktson (Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry) Candian Authors Association (Conference) Canadian Literature Centre (Conference) The City of Calgary (The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize) The City of Edmonton (The Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize) Edmonton Poetry Festival (Conference) Fitneff Inc. (Conference) Priority Printing (WordsWorth and Conference) Reality is Optional Kids’ Writing Club (WordsWorth) Young Alberta Book Society (Conference)

Supporters Jane Stevens (Mentorship Program) Vanna Tessier and Guy Tessier (Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Nonfiction) Aritha van Herk (Golden Pen Award)

15 donors

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta is grateful to our 2017/2018 donors:

Cynthia Adams Fahim Hassan Heather Miller Brian Hitchon Betty Millham Diane Armstrong Annitta Hoffman Elizabeth Millham Patricia Atchison Carol Holmes Sonny Milne Christine Beauchamp and Todd Bethany Horne Asha Mullick Mager Barb Howard Leanne Myggland-Carter Shirley Black John Howard Blaine Newton Graham Boyce Shaun Hunter Charles Noble Ali Bryan Hazel Hutchins Frank O’Keeffe Eric Bryer Sadru Jetha David Orr Eleanor Byers Abdul Kamal Carol Parchewsky Judith Campbell Jeananne Kathol Kirwin Sophie Pinkoski Judith Clark Garry Kelly Darlene Quaife Pam Clark Fran Kimmel Faye Reineberg Holt Myrl Coulter Warren Knetsch Lori Roadhouse Corrine Cowan Juanita Krause J. Jill Robinson Jean Crozier Angela Kublik Hermaine Robinson Elaine Cust Allison Kydd Jane Ross Dolly Dennis Dennis Lee Cheryl Schenk Nicole Duley Rusti Lehay Kathy Seifert Wynne Edwards Anne Logan Bradley Somer Jannie Edwards Cheryl Mahaffy Karen Spafford-Fitz Beth Everest Alice Major J.M. Sutherland Ley-Anne Folks William Masuak Rea Tarvydas Joan Galat Lise Mayne Jane Trotter Rebecca Garber Janice McCrum Cynthia Wandler Raymond Gariépy Kim McCullough Tom Wayman Robert Gibson Don Meredith Christopher Wiseman Trudy Grienauer In Memory of Andy Michaelson Lori Hahnel Peter Midgley

16 staff and board

WGA Staff

Executive Director Carol Holmes Program Coordinator Natalie Cook Program Coordinator Julie Robinson Program Director, Southern Region (Calgary) Office Samantha Warwick Communications and Partnerships Coordinator Ellen Kartz Member Services Coordinator Giorgia Severini Summer Program Assistant Joshua Dakin WGA Contractors

WestWord Editor Raymond Gariépy WordsWorth Director Colin Matty

2017/2018 Board of Directors

Executive President Dustin Archibald Vice President Carol Parchewsky Treasurer Falon Reed Secretary Lori Hahnel Past President Anne Logan

Members at Large Alison Clarke Joan Crate Leslie Chivers Sophie Pinkoski (Youth Member at Large)

17 committees and volunteers

Fund Development Committee Dustin Archibald (Ex Officio) Joan Crate Lauren Diemer Carol Holmes (Ex Officio) Volunteers Anne Logan Akosua Adasi Alice Major Carol Parchewsky Linda Bolton-Holder Clem Martini Falon Reed (Chair) Graham Boyce Donald McCallum Kathy Seifert Nicolas Brown Janet McMahen Katherine Cameron Bonnie McTips Youth Committee Ann Campbell Peggy O’Neill Akosua Adasi Judith Clark Stuart Old Carol Holmes (Ex Officio) Natalie Cook Trey Petty Tyler Gajda Joan Crate Daniel Piller Sophie Pinkoski (chair) David de Vlieger Julie Robinson Erin Vance Laurel Deedrick-Mayne Neil Sawers Kris Demeanor Marilyn Scott Equity Task Force Christine Dober Audrey Seehagen Rona Altrows Finola Dsouza Shirley Serviss Dustin Archibald (Ex Officio) Jon Dziadyk Tanya Sherk Victoria Bailey Wendy Fallon Laurel Sproule Alison Clarke (Chair) Cheryl Foggo Fred Sproule Carol Holmes (Ex Officio) Mary Graham Bob Stallworthy Stuart McKay Mahina Graham-Laidlaw Matthew Stepanic Catalina Morales Stephanie Gregorwich Merna Summers Julie Robinson (Staff Support) Rayanne Haines Rea Tarvydas Julie Sedivy Walter Hildebrandt Maia Tarvydas Nicole Hill Rena Traxel WestWord Editorial Advisory Barbara Johnston Chris Turner Committee Jeananne Kathol Kirwin Aritha van Herk Katie Bickell Katherine Koller Nikki Vogel Jeremy Bibaud Janice Letourneau Cindy Walter Tyler Gajda Lori Hahnel Carol Holmes Alice Major Rea Tarvydas

18 Treasurer’s report

Another busy year has ended for the through Canada Council for the Arts. of $8,491. Thank you to everyone for Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA), and The RBC Emerging Artists Grant their continued support and for any like last year I’ve enjoyed working with program sponsored our mentorship donations made over the last year. The my fellow board members and the WGA program this year and we received a fund represents the WGA’s potential to staff. We began the year with many new SCIP (Serving Communities Internship diversify our revenue strategies, and we faces on our board and had fun getting to Program) grant to hire a student who hope to continue to grow it in the future. know everyone along the way. As always, developed recommendations for our the board and the staff focused on the sponsorship materials. These are just a It’s been a busy year for the WGA best interests of the membership and few of the grants the WGA team works with projects such as the new look of sought ways to grow both our services hard to procure for us on a yearly basis. WestWord and the Equity task force, as and our finances. I reviewed the financial well as our other successful projects, position of the WGA for the fiscal year We held our casino on August 13 and 14, events, and services. Thank you to the ending March 31, 2018 and the audited and I’d like to thank all those who were membership for your continued support financial statements are available for able to volunteer their time. The funds for all of our undertakings. Thank you review. The WGA staff worked diligently we receive represent a large part of our to the WGA staff for your hard work, this year to keep expenses in line with revenue. The casino revenue is split over dedication, and warm personalities. or under budget and applied for grant two years and offsets eligible expenses. I look forward to another year on the and funding opportunities wherever board and best wishes to everyone for possible. We ended the year with a net Our endowment fund is still steadily another year of creativity and writing. surplus of $16,138, due largely in part to growing through collaboration with the receipt of some of those grant funds. the Edmonton Community Foundation. Falon Reed The fund was $30, 691 at the end of our Treasurer The WGA applied for and was awarded fiscal year compared to $22,200 at the a new three year core funding grant end of the last fiscal year, a growth

19

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