The Writers’ Collective is a grassroots organization for writers, housed in the library archives of the University of Winnipeg. It formed in the summer of 2000, following the demise of the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Authors Association. Want to join the Writers' Collective? Click here.
Today the organization has grown to roughly 200 members, and works to offer services and programs for writers of all skill levels, with an emphasis on emerging writers. Our programs include:
Winnipeg Poetry House (WPH): The WPH is a series of literary events, featuring established authors and musicians as well as an open-mic venue for emerging talent. For more information, visit http://www.winnipegpoetry.ca/
Contests
: The Writers’ Collective holds three contests annually. These include a spring
poetry contest, a spring fiction contest and a fall non-fiction contest.
For more information, visit the Contests section of this site.
Writers'
Circles: Writers’ circles are small, informal critique groups
where members can receive constructive feedback on their work from other
circle members as well as a professional facilitator. We currently operate
two circles that meet monthly at the University of
Winnipeg.
Workshops: Our workshops are places where Writers’ Collective members can learn more about specific areas of the writing life. Past subjects have ranged from improving editing skills to effective freelancing to intensive poetry workshops, and past facilitators have included former newspaper editors, accomplished authors, and university professors.
The
Collective Consciousness:
The Collective
Consciousness is the bimonthly journal of the Writers’ Collective. Each
issue includes contests, markets, informative articles, writing-related events, member writing, and
more. Click here view back issues or our submission guidelines.
Coffeehouse gatherings: The Writers’ Collective holds
bimonthly coffeehouse gatherings for our members. These gatherings offer a
chance for members to get together with fellow writers over a cup of
coffee and discuss the craft of writing.
Juice: The Writers’ Collective assists in the publication of Juice, the student creative writing journal of the University of Winnipeg. Please visit the official Juice site for more information.
Radio Show: On the first Tuesday of every month, Tune in to UMFM, the radio station of the University of Manitoba, at noon for an update with the Writers’ Collective, as well as an interview with a featured guest writer.
Click here for information on joining the Writers' Collective.
The Writers’ Collective operates with the generous assistance of Friesens Corporation, Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council, The Winnipeg Free Press, and The University of Winnipeg.
