Saskatchewan Writers Guild

Saskatchewan Writers Guild Our Funders: SaskCulture and Saskatchewan Lotteries The first annual general meeting of the SWG was held in 1970. Initially, 75 people joined.

Brief History

In the summer of 1969, a conference of writers led to the creation of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild. The first two programs were the establishment of local writing groups throughout the province and the creation of a newsletter. Both programs are still active. The SWG was incorporated in 1971. In 1976, the first Executive Director was hired and an office was established in Reg

ina. Grain, the national literary magazine, was founded in 1973. Since then, the SWG has evolved into a professional organization of over 600 members, including writers of all genres and all levels of development.

The opening talk of SWG's 2026 Virtual Facilitated Retreat will explore world building as an intuitive, sensory practice...
12/25/2025

The opening talk of SWG's 2026 Virtual Facilitated Retreat will explore world building as an intuitive, sensory practice across poetry and fiction. Rather than focusing on maps, systems, or lore, David Ly, the Virtual Writer-In-Residence, will reframe world building as an act of attention to atmosphere, image, and emotional truth. Whether writing poetry or fiction, writers are always constructing worlds. Sometimes those worlds are expansive and imagined; other times, they are intimate and rooted in memory, body, and place. This talk considers how worlds emerge through accumulation rather than explanation, built from texture, imagery, and recurring details. As a welcome to the retreat, this talk sets a tone of curiosity and openness, encouraging participants to trust their language, allow worlds to remain unfinished, and let imagination unfold naturally at their edges. This talk is availably to retreat participants only.

There are limited spots to the Virtual Facilitated Retreat. Apply by January 8 for a spot.

Fee details: $200. This includes the featured talk on world building, a one on one meeting with our VWiR David Ly, feedback on your work from David as well, ample writing time, connection with other writers, and a celebratory reading!

For more information and application guidelines, visit our website here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/call-for-2026-virtual-facilitated-retreat-application





[ID: A clear night sky with stars and a cloud. A photo of someone's arm in a motion indicating that they're running through tall grass is layered on the sky image. White text says: "Word Building as Sensory Practice with David Ly, Feb 5, 2026 7-8:15pm at the SWG virtual facilitated retreat February 5-8, 2026. End.]

Apply now for the February 2026 Winter Writers Retreat held at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, SK, from February 13-27, 2...
12/23/2025

Apply now for the February 2026 Winter Writers Retreat held at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, SK, from February 13-27, 2026.

Our Writers Retreat is for practicing writers from Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada. Please note that this retreat does not include teaching or workshopping: it is a space where established and practicing writers of all genres are expected to work independently. Writers can choose to attend 1 or 2 weeks of retreat. Spaces are limited.

More information can be found on our website: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/call-for-applications--winter-2026-writers-retreat

[ID: An image of snow covered trees and a snowy pathway. Large text over the image says "call for applications 2026 Winter Writer Retreat St. Peter's Abbey."]

Have you applied to participate in our Virtual Facilitated Retreat in February yet? No? You should! It's going to be AMA...
12/22/2025

Have you applied to participate in our Virtual Facilitated Retreat in February yet? No? You should! It's going to be AMAZING.

Open to ALL writers in Canada. This retreat is perfect for all writers—beginner, emerging, or established—who would like to dive deeply into their writing for a few days.

Our Virtual Facilitated Retreat will be via Zoom from February 5-8, 2026.

Apply by January 8 for a spot. There are only 10 spots available, so apply soon!

Fee details: $200. This includes a one on one meeting with our VWiR David Ly, feedback on your work from David as well, ample writing time, connection with other writers, and a celebratory reading!

For more information and application guidelines, visit our website here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/call-for-2026-virtual-facilitated-retreat-application





[ID: an illustration of a person with long orange hair, black circle glasses, and a green top typing on a laptop at a desk. On the desk there are books, a coffee mug, and a desk lamp. Beside the illustration is text that says the dates of the virtual retreat listed in caption, app deadline listed in caption, and "Call for participants Virtual Facilitated Writers Retreat". End.

HOST REVEAL: Elena Bentley is a multi-genre writer, editor, and proud Métis auntie. Her poetry chapbook, taliped, was p...
12/22/2025

HOST REVEAL: Elena Bentley is a multi-genre writer, editor, and proud Métis auntie. Her poetry chapbook, taliped, was published by 845 Press in 2023, and she's the author of the children's picture books The Pickle in Grandma's Fridge (YNWP, 2022) and the forthcoming I Love My Aunty Because (GDI Press, 2026). She was longlisted for the 2024 CBC Poetry Prize, and her poems can be found in Arc Poetry, The Malahat Review, Poetry Pause, PRISM international, and Room, among others. Elena is the Editor for Grain magazine.

Elena Bentley will be hosting the panel discussion on Saturday afternoon. This year's festival is not one to miss!

RSVP here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/writing-north/writing-north-rsvp-form

See you on January 23 and 24!



[ID: A prairie canola landscape that has been altered with shattered pieces of the image overlapping, leaving a feeling of unease and uncanniness. In the centre at the top is a rectangular photo of Elena Bentley. Beneath her photo is her name in large text and medium sized text promoting this year's festival theme: "Things are not as they seem" (with the second "e" upside down). Details about date and location are bottom center. End.]

PRESENTER REVEAL: Emily Riddle (she/her) is Nehiyaw and a member of the Alexander First Nation (Kipohtakaw). She is a wr...
12/21/2025

PRESENTER REVEAL: Emily Riddle (she/her) is Nehiyaw and a member of the Alexander First Nation (Kipohtakaw). She is a writer, textile artist, and library worker based in Amisko Waciw Wâskahikan (Edmonton, Canada). In 2022, she released her first full length poetry collection, The Big Melt which won the Griffin Poetry Prize Canadian first book award. Her writing has been published in The Malahat Review, Canadian Art, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, among others. Emily Riddle is a dedicated Treaty 6 descendant and a semi-dedicated Edmonton Oilers fan.

Emily Riddle will be giving a workshop on Saturday morning and will be involved in the panel discussion. This year's festival is not one to miss!

RSVP here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/writing-north/writing-north-rsvp-form

See you on January 23 and 24!



[ID: A prairie canola landscape that has been altered with shattered pieces of the image overlapping, leaving a feeling of unease and uncanniness. In the centre at the top is a rectangular photo of Emily Riddle. Beneath her photo is her name in large text and medium sized text promoting this year's festival theme: "Things are not as they seem" (with the second "e" upside down). Details about date and location are bottom center. End.]

As part of Common Weal Community Arts' Respond to Racism program, Common Weal Arts are launching a new multi-phase proje...
12/20/2025

As part of Common Weal Community Arts' Respond to Racism program, Common Weal Arts are launching a new multi-phase project titled “Creating Shared Futures” exploring Indigenous–Black relations through theatre. From January to March 2026, participants will engage in hands-on workshops led by nationally and internationally recognized artists - focusing on ethical relation-making, power play, site-specific performance, and collaborative creation.

Supported by the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild, On Cue Performance Hub, and Buffalo People Arts Institute, the program includes playwriting intensives, dramaturgy, and mentorship to help artists grow and thrive. Successful applicants receive a $1000 honorarium.

Join us in building a more diverse, inclusive theatre ecosystem. Learn more and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SS2RrZU5o73mr0bTH1kvh8JUmJU7mVQEH8tm_v06kMQ/edit?ts=6917a924.

Project page on Common Weal's site: https://www.commonweal.ca/creating-shared-futures

No prior theatre experience is required.

A public information session will be offered on December 11th at 4 pm on Zoom. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Savannah at [email protected].



This project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada.

[Image ID: a text-heavy poster for the call that lists the dates mentioned in the caption as well as the description of the opportunity that is in the caption. A QR code is in the bottom right for interested participants to scan. Funder logos line the bottom of the poster. End.]

PRESENTER REVEAL: tonia laird is a Michif writer from Treaty 6 territory. Her work is included in multiple publications,...
12/20/2025

PRESENTER REVEAL: tonia laird is a Michif writer from Treaty 6 territory. Her work is included in multiple publications, including literary magazines, fantasy and comic book anthologies, video games, Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition, mobile game, Everlove: Rose, and the interactive novel, Poster Girl. Her first novel, Seventhblade, was released in 2025 by ECW Press, and she is currently working on the young adult supernatural climate-dystopian trilogy, Black Dog, to be released starting fall 2026 by Simon & Schuster Canada. Tonia’s most recent stint in video games was as a Lorekeeper and Worldbuilder at Thought Pennies Entertainment.

tonia laird will be giving a workshop on Saturday afternoon and will be involved in the panel discussion on Saturday. This year's festival is not one to miss!

RSVP here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/writing-north/writing-north-rsvp-form

See you on January 23 and 24!



[ID: A prairie canola landscape that has been altered with shattered pieces of the image overlapping, leaving a feeling of unease and uncanniness. In the centre at the top is a rectangular photo of tonia laird. Beneath her photo is her name in large text and medium sized text promoting this year's festival theme: "Things are not as they seem" (with the second "e" upside down). Details about date and location are bottom center. End.]

The SWG office will be closed from the afternoon of Dec 24 until January 4. Back in office January 5! Have a safe holida...
12/19/2025

The SWG office will be closed from the afternoon of Dec 24 until January 4. Back in office January 5! Have a safe holiday season, folks.

[ID: graphic with various holiday motifs (ornaments, bow and greenery garland) that notes that our office will be closed between 24 Dec to 5 Jan. End.]

Do you enjoy writing and want to develop your storytelling skills?Global Gathering Place and Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild...
12/18/2025

Do you enjoy writing and want to develop your storytelling skills?

Global Gathering Place and Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild are hosting Weaving Words, a free, small-group, in-person storytelling program for newcomers who meet on the following dates from 6:00-8:00 pm: January 13, January 15, January 20, January 22, January 27, February 3.

The theme of the program is: If the City Could Speak. Every city has its stories. Some are loud, and some are very quiet. There are stories from the past, stories from today, and stories for tomorrow.

To register contact Kris Pabisiak at [email protected] or call 306-665-0268.

For more information about the program, visit our website: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/weaving-words-a-storytelling-workshop-series-for-newcomers



[ID: A person who is silhouetted looking out of an obscured window onto a street. Title of workshop series is across the top and the dates and times and location is to the left side and descending. End.]

PRESENTER REVEAL: Waubgeshig Rice grew up in Wasauksing First Nation on the shores of Georgian Bay, in the southeast of ...
12/18/2025

PRESENTER REVEAL: Waubgeshig Rice grew up in Wasauksing First Nation on the shores of Georgian Bay, in the southeast of Robinson-Huron Treaty territory. He’s a writer, listener, speaker, language learner, and a martial artist, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is the author of the short story collection Midnight Sweatlodge and the novels Legacy, Moon of the Crusted Snow, and Moon of the Turning Leaves. He appreciates loud music and the four seasons. He lives in N’Swakamok - also known as Sudbury, Ontario - with his wife and three sons.

Waubgeshig Rice will be giving a feature talk on Friday evening of Writing North and will be involved in the panel discussion on Saturday. This year's festival is not one to miss!

RSVP here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/writing-north/writing-north-rsvp-form

See you on January 23 and 24!



[ID: A prairie canola landscape that has been altered with shattered pieces of the image overlapping, leaving a feeling of unease and uncanniness. In the centre at the top is a rectangular photo of Waubgeshig Rice. Beneath his photo is his name in large text and medium sized text promoting this year's festival theme: "Things are not as they seem" (with the second "e" upside down). Details about date and location are bottom center. End.]

Join us in the New Year for another write-in on January 12! You want to write, we give you the space to write.Our usual ...
12/17/2025

Join us in the New Year for another write-in on January 12! You want to write, we give you the space to write.

Our usual 7-9:15pm drop in hours via Zoom.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pJgcpvcDTB6YYIgwbrj_sg

[ID: A table with a laptop, iced coffee, and pastry with an empty chair with large text that says "Penned Up" and the date and time. End.]

Build the foundation of your literary career with this practical, two-hour online workshop designed for emerging writers...
12/17/2025

Build the foundation of your literary career with this practical, two-hour online workshop designed for emerging writers with Sabrina Spenser Smith. We’ll break down the many paths for gaining experience beyond publication—editing, teaching, readings, mentorships, grants, community work and more. You’ll also learn how to craft a clear, compelling literary CV that reflects your strengths and ambitions.

After the session, participants may submit their CV for individualized feedback from Sabrina. Leave with a sense of direction, concrete next steps and a CV that truly represents your growing practice.

January 16, 6:30-8:30pm via Zoom.

$30.00 for members
$50.00 for non-members

Register here: https://skwriter.com/events-and-workshops/crafting-your-literary-career-path-with-sabrina-spenser-smith



[ID: promotional graphic for the workshop "Crafting Your Literary Career Path" with Sabrina Spenser Smith. A colourful path goes from one illustrated person writing in a notebook to someone writing on a laptop to another person writing on paper at a desk. A headshot of Sabrina (Sabrina stands smiling in front of a light-coloured wall with bare branches behind her, wearing long curly hair, clear-framed glasses, dangling earrings and a dark ribbed sweater) is in the bottom right at the end of the colourful path. Text on the image details workshop date and time noted above in the caption. End.]

Address

Suite 100 1150 8th Avenue
Regina, SK
S4P3R9

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13067917740

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Saskatchewan Writers Guild posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Our Story

Brief History In the summer of 1969, a conference of writers led to the creation of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild. Founding Members were Jean Freeman, Vera Simenson, Ron Ware, Joan Conway, and Ken Mitchell. The first annual general meeting of the SWG was held in 1970. Initially, 75 people joined. The first two programs were the establishment of local writing groups throughout the province and the creation of a newsletter. Both programs are still active. The SWG was incorporated in 1971. In 1976, the first Executive Director was hired and an office was established in Regina. Grain, the national literary magazine, was founded in 1973. Since then, the SWG has evolved into a professional organization of over 600 members, including writers of all genres and all levels of development.