From British Columbia to P.E.I., there are opportunities to fine-tune your craft alongside a professional writer. Andrea Bennett, the Editor-in-Chief at Maisonneuve Magazine, has done the work of compiling a round-up of writing mentorship programs across Canada. Such programs offer an alternative to the potentially expensive route of pursuing a BFA or MFA; for instance, The Writersā Guild of Albertaās Mentorship Program comes at no cost to the apprentices, while local, public libraries often offer free, weekly office hours. So, peruse the program blurbs below and polish those submissions ā a few of the deadlines are just around the corner.
Canada-wide
Vivek ShrayaĀ is offering a mentorshipĀ through her new Arsenal Pulp imprint VS. Books,Ā deadline September 15, 2017; this mentorship is open to unpublished writers who are Indigenous, Black and/or a person of colour, between the ages of 18 to 24, living in Canada, and looking for a home for their completed book manuscript.
The Canadian Society of Childrenās Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) connects beginning childrenās authors with established childrenās authors through theirĀ Blue Pencil Mentorship Program. Mentees must have current CANSCAIP memberships and the mentorship comes with a fee.
Many public librariesĀ across Canada have writers in residence who offer weekly office hours to emerging writers. (It is 4:48pm on a Thursday afternoon as I write this and I am too lazy to Google every writer-in-residence program across the country, but hereās aĀ 2016/2017 exampleĀ from my hometown, Hamilton.)
UniversitiesĀ often also have writers in residence (e.g,Ā the University of Calgary) who offer office hours and/or manuscript consultations. Rules vary (you may or may not need to be a student), but itās worth checking to see if the university or college near you supports a writer-in-residence program.
BC
TheĀ Surrey Southbank Writerās ProgramĀ is a part-time, three-month program is designed for new writers who would like to begin sharing their work with others. The program offers both classes and mentorship opportunities.
TheĀ Vancouver Manuscript IntensiveĀ pairs emerging writers who are looking for feedback and guidance on their manuscripts with professional, published writers. This one-on-one program is tailored to suit the needs of its mentees.
Alberta
The Writerās Guild of Canada matches three writers with three mentors forĀ a four-month mentorship.
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Writerās Guild matches writers one-on-one with mentors forĀ a four-month mentorship.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Writerās Guild matches writers one-on-one with mentors forĀ a five-month mentorship.
Ontario
Diaspora Dialogues matches Greater Toronto Area writers who have a finished manuscript theyād like feedback about one-on-one with mentors for aĀ six-month mentorship.
Quebec
The Quebec Writerās Federation pairs emerging writers with mentors for aĀ four-month mentorship.
New Brunswick
The Writerās Federation of New Brunswick matches writers one-on-one with mentors for a total ofĀ fifty hours of mentorship.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The Writerās Alliance of Newfoundland & Labrador matches writers one-on-one with mentors forĀ a five-month period.
Nova Scotia
The Writerās Federation of Nova Scotia matches writers one-on-one with mentors forĀ a five-month period.
PEI
Every other year, the PEI Writerās Guild matches writers one-on-one with mentors forĀ a three-month period.