Whistler Writer in Residence
The Whistler Writer in Residence program (WIR) is now full for 2024. Please email writers@whistlerwritersfest.com if you would like to get on the waitlist.
The WWIR is an intensive workshop program for emerging or established writers seeking to raise the level of their writing craft, while working on a specific writing project.
Our 2024 writer-in-residence is…. Jennifer Manuel!
Jennifer Manuel has achieved acclaim for her short fiction and won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize in 2017 for her debut novel, The Heaviness of Things That Float, which has been optioned for film. She has published one Young Adult novel and two children’s novels. Head to Head was a finalist for the Red Cedar Award. Her second literary novel, The Morning Bell Brings the Broken Hearted, was published last April. Manuel lives on Vancouver Island and teaches English Literature at Shawnigan Lake School on Cowichan and Malahat traditional territories.
Open to all residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor, participants receive feedback on their manuscripts from our WIR guest author during three one-on-one sessions, and at three group lectures focusing on various aspects of the writing craft, writing life or publishing industry.
The program is held at the Alta Lake Artists’ Cabin on the shores of picturesque Alta Lake, next to The Point
Artist-run Centre. In 2024, the program takes place from September 21 to November 16. This year, we offer an in-person program with online options as needed, on a case-by-case basis.
Participants submit their manuscripts by August 1st, (up to 15 double spaced pages, size 12 font), in the genres of fiction or non-fiction—although other genres will be considered depending on the background of the guest author. There is some flexibility with the critique of submissions, and writers can choose to submit one piece and re-write it over the period of the residency based on feedback from the WWR guest author or receive feedback on multiple submissions.
The cost of the program is $450. Applicants are enrolled in the Whistler Writer in Residence program on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Previous Whistler Writer in Residence guest authors have included: Cody Caetano, Paulette Bourgeois, Joseph Boyden, Candas Jane Dorsey, Wayne Grady & Merilyn Simonds, Brian Brett, Sarah Selecky, Ania Szado, Fred Stenson, Michael Winter, Susan Juby, Caroline Adderson, Claudia Casper, Cornelia Hoogland, and Shaena Lambert.
One scholarship is available for Sea to Sky Residents as part of our equity initiative program. The Amplifying Voices Scholarship supports underrepresented voices in Canadian publishing, particularly those who are Indigenous, racialized, Deaf or hard of hearing, living with a disability, and/or LGBTQ2S+. Click here for more information on how to apply for this scholarship.
“In the one-to-one, Cody [Caetano] helped me find the voice of one of my protagonists–makes all the difference. Cody also enlightened me about where I’m going wrong in querying. In the workshops I learned to eschew the verb ‘to be’ (so static) and invent fun new custom verbs. That’s how it helped my writing. As to how it helped me, it brought the joy of collaboration, and it led to the formation (I think) of a little writers’ community.”
“I enjoyed the group aspect of the craft sessions and being engaged in the “writer community.” Caroline [Adderson] has a great, “see the essence,” way of assessing writing and providing feedback – she has helped move my manuscript along in a significant way.”
“I like the content of the workshops, the input and comments of the instructor, having deadlines to submit work, opportunity to hear a professional advice on my work. The Writer in Residence, Susan Juby, was a wealth of information and support and a wonderful person to converse with.“
We are grateful for the funding assistance from the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Community Enrichment Program and the BC Arts Council.
Are you looking for accommodation?
The naturally spectacular, Fairmont Chateau Whistler delivers an ideal setting for families, meetings, and weddings from a landmark slope-side location. A mere snowball’s throw to the mountain, it is home to adventure seekers, the mountain’s best après ski, legendary year-round pools, and signature Fairmont service.