Calgary Distinguished Writers Program

The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program at the University of Calgary is an educational program intended to advance the careers of Canadian writers. The program features two annual residential programs: one for the emerging Canadian writers, and one for a distinguished writer of international stature.^[1]

While in Calgary, program participants divide their time between writing and community activities. Community activities include individual manuscript consultations and providing advice to local writers, conducting writing workshops, giving public readings, and meeting with school groups.^[2]

History

The University of Calgary's Faculty of Arts established the Calgary Distinguished Writers Program in 1993, sourcing funding from a private donors Allen Markin and Jackie Flanagan.^[3] Since its inception in 1993, the program has brought to Calgary two Nobel Laureates, Derek Walcott and Wole Soyinka, and well-known writers such as Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Art Spiegelman, Billy Collins, Timothy Findley, Thomas King, Ursula K. Le Guin, Alberto Manguel, and Michael Ondaatje.^[2][4]

Complete List of Writers-In-Residence

2019–2020 Sharanpal Ruprai 2018–2019 Liz Howard 2017–2018 Denise Chong 2016–2017 Shane Book 2015–2016 Nick Thran 2014–2015 Ian Williams 2013–2014 Sara Tilley 2012–2013 Deborah Willis 2011–2012 Jeramy Dodds 2010–2011 Oana Avasilichioaei 2009–2010 Marcello Di Cintio 2008–2009 Charlotte Gill 2007–2008 Sina Queyras 2006–2007 Jaspreet Singh 2005–2006 Melanie Little 2004–2005 Natalee Caple 2003–2004 Robert Finley 2002–2003 Suzette Mayr 2001–2002 Eden Robinson 2000–2001 Laura Robinson 1999–2000 Richard Sanger 1998–1999 Peter Oliva 1997–1998 Larissa Lai 1996–1997 Rosemary Nixon 1995–1996 Richard Harrison 1994–1995 Ven Begamudré 1993–1994 Roberta Rees

^[4]

Complete List of Distinguished Visiting Writers

2018–2019 Amitav Ghosh 2017–2018 Marlon James 2016–2017 Michael Chabon 2015–2016 Zadie Smith 2014–2015 Shyam Selvadurai, Evelyn Lau 2013–2014 Neil Gaiman, Alberto Manguel 2012–2013 Margaret Atwood 2011–2012 Billy Collins 2010–2011 Art Spiegelman 2009–2010 Margaret MacMillan 2008–2009 Alberto Rios 2007–2008 Daphne Marlatt, Derek Walcott 2006–2007 Frederick Busch Tribute 2005–2006 Rudy Wiebe, Oliver Sacks 2004–2005 Alistair MacLeod 2003–2004 Anita Rau Badami, Dionne Brand, Louis de Bernières 2002–2003 Robert Kroetsch, Wole Soyinka 2001–2002 Nicole Brossard, Timothy Findley 2000–2001 Gary Burns, Deepa Mehta, Erín Moure, Paul Quarrington, Anne Wheeler 1999–2000 Emma Donoghue, Tony Kushner 1998–1999 Dionne Brand, Louise Halfe, Alberto Manguel, Adrienne Rich 1997–1998 Anita Rau Badami, Rose Scollard 1996–1997 Louis de Bernières, Ursula K. Le Guin, Steve McCaffery, D.M. Thomas 1995–1996 Robin Blaser, Robert Creeley, Keri Hulme, Sir Laurens van der Post, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, 1994–1995 David Albahari, Marilyn Dumont, Thomas King, Tom Raworth 1993—1994 Michael Ondaatje

^[4]