Canadian
Links of Interest to Writers
2021
National Writers' Sites
Provincial Writers' Organizations
Provincial Arts Councils
Writers' Courses, Retreats, and Workshops
The 49th Shelf Fuelled by the largest collection of Canadian books ever assembled, The 49th Shelf makes it easier to discover your next great Canadian read, including Read Local: The 100-Mile Book Diet where you can find books connected to places across Canada, and add your favourites, too. This interactive, intimate virtual library is stocked with Canadian books by authors both world-renowned and up-and-coming, writing in every genre. It is also a community of avid readers who share the books on the site by making reading lists and book recommendations. Find books you’ll never forget, meet people whose lists and reviews you’ll admire, and learn more about the authors who intrigue you.
A Magical Clockwork: The Art of Writing the Poem
A uniquely Canadian guide to the techniques and vision for creating effective poems, illustrated by the work of over 60 of our nation's talented poets.Access Copyright (access ©)
The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (formerly Can©opy and incorporating The Electronic Rights Licensing Agency) offering legal protection and payment for registered Canadian writers whose published works have been reproduced by photocopying or other means.Aeolus House
An enterprise dedicated to poetry and other language arts—their creation, enhancement, and dissemination, offering both practical and moral support for friends and fellow travellers in these arts (manuscript assessment, editing, book packaging, mentoring/tutoring, and consulting) for both beginning and experienced writers of all kinds, maintained by poet and editor Allan Briesmaster.Alberta Romance Writers' Association
A non-profit organization dedicated to helping published and unpublished romance writers of all genres through meetings, workshops, social events, a newsletter, and an annual romance writing contest.Association of Canadian Publishers
An annotated directory of Canadian publishers, including the Literary Press Group, and Canadian affiliate publishing organizations, offering useful tips on how to get published, get distributed, and get publicity..Banff Centre for the Arts
Canada's only learning centre dedicated to the arts, leadership development, and mountain culture, providing a Writing and Publishing Program, Creative Nonfiction and Cultural Journalism Program, Leighton Studios writing retreats for creating new work, Banff Centre Press, Cascade online magazine, links, readings, writers' workshops, lectures, and conferences.Be a Better Writer
Whether your interest is in short stories, creative nonfiction, autobiography/journaling, or the novel, a site offering writing tips, Q & A, a Writing Library, writing quotations, resources, advice, markets, contests, courses, templates, and more (for a complete list, check our Site Map) to increase your chances of publication, along with fun activities and resources for your classes or workshops.Berton House Writers' Retreat
An opportunity in the historically impressive setting of Dawson City, Yukon, for professional Canadian writers who have published at least one book and are established in any creative literary discipline to concentrate on her or his work or just get away to think.Book Promoters Association of Canada (BPAC)
A national organization, with strong regional representations in Toronto and Vancouver, composed of in-house and freelance publicists, marketers, bookstore employees, sales representatives, and students—anyone actively involved in the promotion of books in Canada.Canada Council/Conseil des Arts du Canada
A national arm's-length agency reporting through the Minister of Canadian Heritage which fosters the development of the arts in Canada through awards and grants for writing, publishing, travel, and arts projects to individuals and arts organizations. Also under its aegis, the Public Lending Right Commission and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.Canadian Association of Journalists
The national, bilingual voice of Canadian journalists that upholds the public's right to know and encourages, promotes, and stands for excellence in investigative journalism.Canadian Authors Association
Canada's national writing association of "Writers Helping Writers" (both beginning and established) through a network of friendly local branches offering contests, awards, publications, and an annual writers' conference.Canadian Children's Book Centre
A national non-profit organization and registered charity to promote, support, and encourage the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for children and teens, offering news, books, sound tape and video catalogue, children's writing contest, newsletter, and related links.Canadian Conference of the Arts
A not-for-profit, non-governmental lobby and service organization for over 200,000 Canadian artists and cultural workers, offering a discussion room, tax primers, and cultural reports.Canadian Federation of Poets
The founding federation in a global community of poets and poetry lovers where members can "meet" via our forums and live chats, learn about themselves and their international poetry colleagues, and celebrate all that is important to us as poets and as people living in an ever-changing world.Canadian Freelance Guild (formerly Periodical Writers Association of Canada / Professional Writers Association of Canada).
A national organization representing freelance writers and journalists across the country, providing publications, services, and a wealth of Internet links for writers' associations, resources, listservs and newsgroups, journalism, Canadian writing.Canadian Literature Archive
A repository of information about Canadian writers, novelists, poets, playwrights, essayists, Canadian literary organizations, magazines, publications, texts and library archives for the study of Canadian literature, run by the University of Manitoba with participation from scholars around the world.Canadian Poetry
Home of Studies, Documents, Reviews, a refereed journal devoted to the study of poetry from all periods in Canada, published twice yearly, and the Canadian Poetry Press, publishing scholarly editions of early Canadian long poems the Confederation poets and critical studies of Canadian poetry.Canadian Poetry Audio Archives
Canada's first online bilingual poetry audio archive, the database contains a sampling of audio recordings of Canada's most acclaimed poets reading from their works, transcripts of poems and photographs. Audio recordings include Middle Distance by Phyllis Webb and Corps de l'instant by Gatien Lapointe. Photographs include Louis Dudek and P.K. Page. Although the interface for the database is bilingual, poetry transcripts, audio recordings and poem titles appear in their original language only. Transcripts are provided for all audio recordings. The key objective of this site is to connect students, teacher and Canadian literary enthusiasts with the riches of our country's diverse literary heritage and, in so doing, educate and inspire a new generation of Canadian writers and readers.Canadian Publishers' Council
Canada's main English-language book-publishing trade association offering valuable links about the industry and a FAQ on getting published.Canadian Science Writers Association
A national alliance of professional science communicators in all media involved in communicating Science and Technology to non-specialist audiences, offering Science Linknewsletter articles, student science writing workshops, links, and awards.Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP)
A group of professionals (writers, teachers, librarians) promoting the field of children's culture through Toronto monthly meetings, writing workshops, an art collection, newsletter, and the annual Packaging Your Imagination conference.Canadian Writers' Contest Calendar
A print directory of more than 350 Canadian and international writing contests, produced by White Mountain Publications. Now available as well in eBook format .Can©opy
See Access Copyright (access ©)Can Stock Photo
Need a cover image or illustrations? Physically based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, "one of the world's largest microstock photography agencies...home to thousands of photographers, and tens of thousands of active members from around the world", offering royalty-free images for personal or commercial use.CBC Literary Prizes
The only literary competition that celebrates original, unpublished works of short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction in Canada’s two official languages, with $60,000 of prize money, publication, and broadcast.Children's Literature: Resources for Writers and Illustrators
Doucette Library of Teaching Resources Director David K. Brown's gathering together and categorizing of Internet resources related to writers and illustrators of books for children and young adults.Copyright
Industry Canada's answers to frequently asked questions about Canadian copyright.Crime Fiction Canada
A developing Brock University bibliographic database of critical materials related to Canadian crime/mystery/detective narratives in a variety of media, from print to film and television. Includes "webliographies" of projects, the Canadian detective fiction "canon", Canadian publishers, critics, and fans, as well as scholarly conferences on the forms and function, material conditions of production, and patterns of consumption of this pre-eminent popular genre.Crime Writers of Canada
A national organization with regional chapters coast to coast to raise the profile of Canadian crime writing, for writers, associated professionals, and anyone else with a serious interest in the field, offering the Fingerprints newsletter, In Cold Blood members' directory, mystery resources, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.Editors Canada
A national association to promote and maintain high standards of editing and publishing in Canada, offering professional development seminars, books on editing, job hotline, fee guidelines, self-test, and a national members' directory of both freelance and in-house editors.Electronic Frontier Canada
A group founded to ensure that the principles embodied in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are protected as new computing, communications, and information technologies emerge.Electronic Publishing: Guide to Best Practices for Canadian Publishers
The National Library of Canada's introduction to the pros and cons of various approaches to electronic publishing, with links to creative, efficient examples and further online resources.Freelance Medical Illustrator
Illustration services for professional and academic writers and publishers, serving clients across Canada and the United States.Horror Writers Association
The oldest and most respected worldwide professional organization dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who publish and write it to "bring you the most enjoyable sleepless nights of your life."InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship
A rich resource site, offering extensive links to Canadian agents, periodicals, and publishers, as well as listings of members' events, contests, online writing courses, and regional groups, a newsletter, and a chat room.Library and Archives Canada
The new Library and Archives Canada website, integrating the former National Library of Canada and National Archives of Canada.Literary Press Group
An umbrella organization and distributor for Canadian publishers of poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction: contact names and addresses.Magazines Canada Association – MagOmania
Descriptions of Canadian literary fiction and Poetry magazines, as well as general and special-interest publications.Medical Illustration for Science Writers
Professional medical illustration services, from traditional life drawing to Flash animation, for print, the Web, and Continuing Medical Education.National Film Board of Canada
A rich source of publicly available films relating to Canadian literature and writers, as well as other subjects of national and regional interest, identified by simply typing in a keyword (such as "poet").NewsCollege
Practical tips and links on reporting, writing, story hunting, editing, and publishing the news, from Gregg McLachlan, a journalist with almost 20 years experience.Open Book: Ontario
News, profiles, interviews, features, and event listings from across the province and a seasonal online magazine, showcasing the people, places, writing, and happenings of our literary scene, plus Ontario's Literary Landmarks.Outdoor Writers of Canada
An organization including authors, script writers, photographers, cinematographers, artists, illustrators, radio and television personalities, lecturers, public relations specialists, and outdoor industry contacts to stimulate interest in and an appreciation of the outdoors, co-operation with others in support of the responsible use(s) of Canada's natural resources, and high standards of craftsmanship through information, conventions, and awards.Periodical Writers Association of Canada
See above: Canadian Frelance Guild.Playwrights Guild of Canada
A national association of professional and emerging playwrights founded to publish and distribute scripts to encourage more productions of Canadian plays, offering a play database, contracts handbook, playwrights in the schools program, Internet links, programs, members' services, and Playwrights Canada Press.Poetry Views
Reviews of Canadian poetry books by fellow Canadian poets.Printorium Bookworks
A division of Island Blue Print, located in Victoria, B.C., that will professionally "print on demand" your colour and/or black and white perfect bound book from your e-mailed PDF files, in economic small quantities, and in timely fashion, as needed.Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC)
See above: Canadian Frelance Guild.Public Lending Right
Details on eligibility and registration for Canadian authors, anthology contributors, editors, translators, illustrators and photographers to receive payment for public use of their works housed in library collections.Publishers in Canada
Direct links to Canadian publishers' websites.Quick Brown Fox
A lively writers' resource site, containing information on literary agents actively looking for authors, writing contests, writing courses, book reviews, short stories, short memoirs, markets for writing, and more.Representative Poetry Online
Access to 3,162 English poems by 500 poets from Caedmon, in the Old English period, to the work of living poets today, as first established in print in 1912 by Professor W. J. Alexander of University College, University of Toronto, and in 1994, put into electronic format including a timeline, calendar, glossary, criticism, and bibliography, by Ian Lancashire, Department of English, University of Toronto.Research for Writers
Providing custom research services on any topic to novelists, screenwriters, nonfiction writers, speechwriters, TV producers and writers, editors, publicists, marketers, executives, and others.Scribendi.com—Professional Proofreading and Editing Services A company with the primary goal of providing clients with fast, reliable, and affordable revision services, also offering a Resources page of helpful articles, advice, and podcasts specifically for writers.
Society for Technical Communication
An organization to support writers, editors, illustrators, document designers, educators, and managers involved in delivering specialized information about hardware, software, finance, government, medicine, manufacturing, law, transportation, or telecommunications, to a target audience for a specific purpose.Student Writing Competitions
Wordwrights Canada descriptions of competition basics, Canadian contests, plus information of interest to teachers and essay tips for student writers.The Brains of Writers
An intriguing set of notes and comments gathered by British Columbia poet D.C. Reid.The League of Canadian Poets
Canada's national professional association for poets, offering a youth poetry contest, book awards, school visits, readings and tours, members' directory, Poetry Spoken Here online bookstore, and a wealth of poetry resources for teachers and students on its Young Poets site.The Ontario Poetry Society (TOPS)
A democratic organization for members to unite in camaraderie and friendship for emotional support and encouragement in all aspects of poetry, including writing, performing, and publishing.The Word Guild
A national association of Christian Canadian writers and editors that fosters standards of excellence in the art, craft, practice, and ministry of writing, offering writing contests, a national three-day conference, one-day writing workshops across the country, an online writing community, peer critiquing of work, co-marketing opportunties, and more.The Writers' Community of Durham Region (WCDR)
Contains a list of Canadian poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, and other writing contests, updated regularly.The Writers' Trust
A unique institution, through various programs and awards providing a level of support for Canadian novelists, poets, biographers, and other nonfiction writers, unmatched by any other nongovernmental organization or foundation.The Writers' Union of Canada
A national organization of professional writers of books for the general public, offering contract evaluation, publications, "Dear Writer" advice, a manuscript reading service, and a short prose competition.University of Toronto Library: Canadian Poetry Online
Valuable literary background on important Canadian poets, featuring selections from their poetry and aesthetic statements. Also links to Canadian poetry journals, presses, courses, awards, events, bibliographies and databases, and Canadian and international poetry websites.Utmost Christian Writers Foundation
A government-registered non-profit foundation for the support and encouragement of poets of Christian faith, providing many free resources, including dozens of unique articles to help poets hone their skills, and one of the biggest cash prizes for poetry in Canada, awarding US$4,000 annually in its major contest.Wordwrights Canada / Opal Editions Publishing
Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and children's books by Susan Ioannou, now available in print and eBook Kindle, Kobo EPUB, and free PDF formats.Writers Guild of Canada
A national association of screenwriters working in film, television, radio and multimedia production in Canada, negotiating collective agreements, lobbying, and offering contract information, screenwriting and scriptwriting links, and awards.Writers in Electronic Residence (WIER)
An interactive creative program linking Canada's writers with schools across the country through interactive online writing courses and conferences, and resources for writers and teachers.Return to Top
Provincial Writers' Organizations
Alberta Romance Writers' Association
Association des auteures et auteurs de l'Ontario français
Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre
Union des écrivains et écrivaines québécois
Writers Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador
Writers Federation of New Brunswick
Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia
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Provincial Arts Councils
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Ministère de la culture et des communications du Québec
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
Northwest Territory Arts Council
Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association
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Writers' Courses, Retreats, and Workshops
Caetani Cultural Centre
(Vernon, B.C.)Centauri Arts
(Hour north of Toronto, Ontario)Community of Writers Workshops and Retreat
(Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia)Fernie Writers Conference
(Fernie, B.C.)Fernwood Writers Workshop
(Victoria, B.C.)Freefall Writing Workshops
with Barbara Turner-Vesselago
(online and varied locations)Gibraltar Point Centre Artscape Lodge
(Toronto Island)Humber School for Writers
(Toronto, Ontario)Inkslingers
(Port Perry, Ontario)Maritime Writers' Workshop
(Fredericton, New Brunswick)Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts
(Victoria, B.C.)Olivewood & Laurel Retreats
(Kardamyli, southern Peloponnese, Greece)Quick Brown Fox
(Greater Toronto Area)Roxanne Snider's Creative Writing Workshop
(Toronto, Ontario)Ryerson University Writing Workshops
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
(Toronto, Ontario)Sage Hill Writing Experience
(Rural Saskatchewan)Saskatchewan Writers/Artists Colony
(St. Peter's Abbey and Emma Lake, Saskatchewan)The Writing Space
Studio for aspiring and established writers of all ages and experience
(Toronto, Ontario)Wintergreen Studios
(South Frontenac Township, Ontario)Wired Writing Studio
(Banff, Alberta, and online)The Writers’ Retreat
(California, Colorado, Costa Rica, and Mexico; in Canada, Quebec, New-Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island)YouthWrite: Summer camps for kids who love to write
(Canmore and Edmonton, Alberta)Return to Top
Updated February 2021