Writer-in-Residence


Richmond’s Writer-in-Residence Program delivers hands-on programming for local emerging and aspiring writers. The annual residency position runs from September through November each year and is a partnership between Richmond Arts, Culture and Heritage Services and Richmond Public Library.

Richmond’s 2023 Writer-in-Residence

Residency Dates: September 23 – November 30, 2023
Program Partners: Richmond Public Library and Richmond Arts Centre
Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 10:00 AM (PDT)

The City of Richmond is seeking proposals from emerging or established writers with experience in developing and facilitating workshops, leading public conversations and hosting readings and events. The Writer-in-Residence will also provide advice and mentorship opportunities to emerging writers from diverse populations.

All forms of literary genre are welcome. We are particularly interested in working with a local author whose experience includes, among other genres, popular fiction, for example, romance, mystery or fantasy and/or science fiction.

Located 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, two unique community organizations in the City of Richmond, are joining forces to host the 12th annual Writer-in-Residence in the Fall of 2023.

Richmond Public Library and Richmond Arts Centre are located a few steps from each other. Located in the heart of Richmond’s downtown core, just a short walk from the Canada Line’s Brighouse Station and easily accessible on transit, these two facilities exist in a veritable hub of activity in the Minoru Precinct at the Richmond Cultural Centre.

Collectively, these two facilities are offering a unique residency, offering the opportunity for a writer to work with and among local residents over a two-month period. The aim of the program is to foster a greater appreciation for Canadian writers and creative writing, through innovative public programs that will engage readers and writers across generations and cultures.

The Writer-in-Residence will receive $5,000 for approximately 100 hours between September 23 and November 30, 2023. Multiple one-day workshops and/or a longer series of workshops will be considered. Expression of interest proposals should include a program plan and include themes the writer may wish to work with as well as a loose plan for a final celebration that will bring together program participants and the public together to share writing produced in the program.

Applicants are encouraged to identify in their cover letter, some of the innovative ways their residency could foster an appreciation for Canadian writing and involve communities not typically exposed to Canadian literature.

This year marks Richmond’s 12th annual Writer-in-Residence program. Past Richmond Writers-in-Residence include: Lindi Nolte, Sonya Lalli, Lindsay Wong, Cynthia Sharp, Andrew Battershill, Nilofar Shidmehr, Karen X. Tulchinsky, Sally Stubbs, Mark Leiren-Young, Nancy Lee and Caroline Adderson.

Community Organizations
Richmond Public Library (RPL) has been proudly serving the Richmond community since 1976. RPL offers four branches as well as two book dispensers, is open 7 days a week, and offers a wealth of information which is available 24/7 at yourlibrary.ca. Its mission is to create opportunities for the community to learn, connect and belong.

Richmond Arts Centre is the City’s arts education and creation hub for courses, events, organizations and artists. Located on the 2nd floor of the Richmond Cultural Centre, Arts Centre offers a variety of courses taught by accomplished artist instructors. It is also home to a number of local Resident Arts Groups and connects the arts with communities through a variety of programs and events.

Requirements:

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • A minimum of one critically well-received title published professionally: fiction, short stories, poetry, drama or literary non-fiction.
  • Professional teaching or public speaking experience.
  • Comfortable and willing to engage with the public one-on-one and in group settings.
  • Active participant in the local writing community.
  • In the early working stage of a new writing project intended for book-length publication.

We encourage applications from writers of under-represented communities including Indigenous, Black, people of colour, LGBTQ2S+, mixed abilities and other non-dominant groups. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they feel comfortable in doing so.

Remuneration:

  • $5,000 (2 month contract position)
  • The successful candidate will be responsible for finding their own accommodation and transportation

Expressions of interest packages must include:

  1. Cover letter – including a clear plan for public programming during the residency.
  2. Resumé – including a history of literary publications, previous community engagement experience, teaching experiences, conducting library programs, facilitating workshops or other forms of public presentation.
  3. Contact information for three references.
  4. 20−30 page (max.) sample of recent writing, along with reviews of earlier works.
  5. Once a short-list of candidates has been determined, the selection committee will request three letters of reference from each of the short-listed applicants.

Application Deadline:
Completed expression of interest packages must be received by Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 10:00 AM (PDT)

Applications can be emailed as a Word document or PDF to: WriterinResidence@richmond.ca

Writer-in-Residence opportunities contact
Amélie Nikitin, Arts Programmer, Arts Services
Phone: 604-247-8325
Email: Amelie.Nikitin@richmond.ca

Past Richmond Writers-in-Residence include:

2022 - Lindi Notle
2021 - Sonya Lalli
2020 - Lindsay Wong
2019 - Cynthia Sharp
2018 - Andrew Battershill
2017 - Nilofar Shidmehr
2016 - Karen X. Tulchinsky
2015 - Caroline Adderson
2014 - Nancy Lee
2013 - Mark Leiren-Young
2012 - Sally Stubbs