Are You Looking for a Supportive Community of Creative Writers?
Maybe there's something in the water, or maybe it's the crisp, clean air, but the city of Saskatoon, and the communities that surround it, sprout creative writers the way the prairie sprouts crocuses.
Just like those prairie perennials, creative writers can flourish in their home environment. But without the right conditions, without a little encouragement from like-minded members of the community, even the hardiest writer is likely to struggle.
- Maybe you'd like to improve your poetry, develop your essay, or even explore a brand-new genre, if only you could find a class or workshop to fit your schedule and budget.
- Maybe you'd love to rub shoulders with other aspiring novelists, if only you knew where to meet them.
- Perhaps you nurse a secret desire to read your work-in-progress at an Open Mike, but tremble at the thought of standing up in front of a room full of strangers.
- Perhaps you're looking for a way to support the literary arts--as a writer and as a reader--if only you knew how.
The Saskatoon Writers' Coop Helps Creative Writers Thrive
The Coop provides a sense of community, some welcome support, and plenty of opportunities to learn--just what you need to grow as a writer.
Explore a genre in depth. Enrol in one of our 4, 6 or 8-session classes, taught by a published, professional writer. Jump-start your creativity in the company of other creative people. Develop your skills as a poet, essayist, or story-teller. Challenge yourself to complete the writing assignments, and soak up the expert advice and feedback.
Do you teach a workshop or offer a presentation on the craft, or the business, of writing? The Coop Programming Committee would welcome your application or expression of interest. Contact the Coop to learn more.
Pick up interesting tips and techniques. Have you ever heard of "nesting globs"? Nor had we. Until award-winning writer Douglas Glover, offering entertainment and education in a 2-hour workshop, described his own, very effective method of crafting the literary short story. Watch for a workshop that meets your needs.
Connect with other writers. The best way to get started is to attend one of our Open Mikes--just to listen. Come alone, or bring a friend for moral support. When you're ready, you can try reading some of your own work-in-progress. (And you can still bring a friend for moral support.)
Become a part of Saskatoon's vibrant literary scene. There's always so much going on. As well as all the educational and social events offered by the Coop, there are also book launches, readings and workshops offered by other community organizations. The Coop Scoop emailed newsletter lets you know where you need to be, and when you need to be there.
Join the Saskatoon Writers' Coop!
The Coop's membership includes poets and novelists, essayists and playwrights, people who write literary short stories and people who write literary non-fiction, people who write full time and people who can barely find time.... Some members have established themselves on the Canadian literary landscape; many have yet to emerge. The Saskatoon Writers' Coop supports, and celebrates, all of them.
Click the inkbottle to learn more about the benefits of joining the Coop.
NEW!
Coop Coaching Program
Details here
Next Open Mike
September 2009
Details TBA
Recent Open Mikes
(with photos)
Writers' groups- some background
Coop Annual General Meeting and Sisters' Ink Chapbook Launch
Thur. Mar. 26, 2009
Coop winter party
Thur. Feb. 19, 2009
Details and photos here
Past Open Mikes
Details and photos here
Winter class
Fiction Freefall
with Bernice Friesen
Finished Monday April 6, 2009
Details and photos here
January 24 workshop
The Passionate "I"-- narrative stance in non-fiction
with Candace Savage
Details and photos here
Fall class
Poetry: The Revision Sessions with Barbara Klar
Finished Monday Dec. 8, 2008
Details and photos here
October 25 workshop
Spelunking the Writer's Creative Toolkit with Jeff Smith
Details and photos here
Past year's programs
with pictures!
Board tasks
See who is doing what
this year
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What's with the chicken?
Find out why an organization for creative writers has a chicken for a logo
