Dustin LeeIn today’s political climate, supporting local has become more and more important to Canadians. As I watch strangers check the labels on soup cans for the maple leaf, and belting the national anthem, I can’t help but notice the other ways Canadians are supporting local. This includes the incredible support for the writing community in the Edmonton area.
Edmonton’s literature community is thriving. From the pub nights run by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) to the small writing groups in libraries, Edmontonians are creating community.
Writing is for everyone. All it takes is a pen and paper, but it has an incredible impact. Writing allows us to feel our emotions, express ourselves, and interact with the world around us. I am so proud of Edmonton’s art scene for creating opportunities to grow through art.
One of the greatest contributions Edmonton provides for writers is the Writer-in-Residence program. The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) hosts a writer-in-residence every year to inspire emerging writers with mentorship from a local published author. This author provides workshops and one-on-one mentorship to support emerging writers’ work and grow their confidence. This year’s Edmonton writer-in-residence is Rhonda Parrish, a fiction anthologist who has won several awards.
This mentorship encourages new writers to explore their interests, and creates a safe space to receive feedback and guidance. The Strathcona County Public Library and St. Albert Public Library share a similar program that supports writers as well.
The writing community in Edmonton extends past mentorship, and has grown to support writers through many open mic nights. With a population of about 1.2 million as of 2024, Edmontonians come from a diverse range of religious, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. The Edmonton writing community has been supporting this diversity by hosting open mic nights focused on intersectionality that invite writers to integrate their lives into their work.
For example, groups like Vers/e Poetry, Felice Noir, and the Fyrefly Institute host open mic nights for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These safe spaces make writers feel comfortable to be themselves, share writing about their identity, and make friends.
Open mic night opportunities for other minority groups also exist. For instance, the Jade Stage held an open mic night on March 23 run by the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) Youth Council for young Chinese writers in Edmonton. The event is open to all, and is a great example of how the Edmonton writing scene brings Edmontonians together.
Writers have a reason to stay in Edmonton. They have a future in Edmonton.
There are not only opportunities for Edmonton artists to write recreationally. There’s also multiple Canadian presses and opportunities to write professionally including Frontenac House, The Polygot, and NeWest Press. The Edmonton Arts Council also provides grants and funding for artists and collectives to bring art into the community.
By providing opportunities to grow and build connections, Edmontonians have built a writing community to be proud of. No matter whether you are a new writer who is writing their first limerick, or an award-winning author, Edmonton is a place for artists. It is a place for you.
