Saskatoon Public Library
Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) is the public library system for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Established in 1913, SPL currently has nine locations throughout the city. SPL is located on Treaty Six territory and the homeland of the Métis.SPL's Writer in Residence program began in 1981 and writers have included Guy Vanderhaeghe, Yann Martel, Danny Ramadan and many others.
Description
Status: Full-time, temporary (nine-month term contract from Sep 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026)
Location: Frances Morrison Central Library 311 – 23rd St. E. Saskatoon, SK
Hours: 36.25 hours/week
Grant Amount: $40,000
Closing Date: Nov 15, 2024
Position Overview
The Writer in Residence is a full-time term position open to writers from across Canada who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This individual acts as a mentor to writers in and around Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reviewing manuscripts and providing criticism and advice about publishing. The Writer offers individual consultations, group workshops and programs, author readings and participates in other special events during their residency.
In addition to working directly with local writers, the Writer in Residence program enables the author to work on their own writing projects. This residency requires working collaboratively with the public through individual consultations, school visits, group workshops and public lectures or seminars. The position requires 36.25 hours a week: 14.5 hours (40 percent) of the author’s time will be devoted to library programs and projects, while 21.75 hours (60 percent) will be used for their own creative writing.
Why Apply?
Saskatoon Public Library’s Writer in Residence program has a long and illustrious history. It was founded in 1981 and has employed a number of nationally acclaimed writers, including Guy Vanderhaeghe, Candace Savage, Alice Kuipers and Arthur Slade. In addition to the program’s well-established, positive reputation in Saskatoon, there are many other reasons to apply:
Flexibility: You can make your own schedule provided 40 percent of your hours are allocated towards library projects (i.e., consultations and programs) and 60 percent is used for your own creative writing.
Make a Difference: Through meeting with and providing direction/advice to new and aspiring writers, you’ll be enriching and strengthening the Canadian literary community.
The City: Located on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis, Saskatoon is a flourishing and culturally vibrant city of nearly 300,000 people straddling the beautiful South Saskatchewan River. Ranked 17th in The New York Times’ inaugural 52 Places to Visit feature, the city features 60 km of riverside trails, a world-class arts scene and renowned culinary destinations—all of which has helped the city earn its nickname, Paris of the Prairies.
Applications must include:
•A cover letter and resume outlining literary publications and previous experience. Be sure to include a description of your writing project in the cover letter.
•A sample (20 – 30 pages, double-spaced) of recent work (reviews of earlier work are encouraged but not required).
•Three signed letters of reference.
Please submit your application package using the online form at saskatoonlibrary.ca/careers. All applications must be received by Nov 15, 2024.
A current, acceptable Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check will be required.
Job Details
Location:
Saskatoon
Date the successful candidate will start:
September 01, 2025
Pay and Benefits
Salary:
$40,000
Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Applicants must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Have a minimum of one professional publication prior to the application deadline (this includes books of fiction, novels, short stories, poetry, drama, young adult or children’s literature, graphic novels, or literary non-fiction).
- Have made a significant contribution to their discipline.
- Be active in their profession.
- Intend to work on a new writing project (normally intended for book-length publication). •Be an active participant in a local writing community.
- Be proficient at public speaking, planning and presenting programs.
- Have previous experience in programming and facilitation in the area of creative writing. Previous experience as a writer in residence, teacher or writing mentor would be an asset.
- Have demonstrated effective interpersonal skills in dealing with the public and co-workers.
- Have demonstrated the ability to work independently, organize work and meet deadlines.
- Have demonstrated reliability, initiative and willingness to try new ideas.
To apply, please visit saskatoonlibrary.ca.
Applications must include: •A cover letter and resume outlining literary publications and previous experience. Be sure to include a description of your writing project in the cover letter. •A sample (20 – 30 pages, double-spaced) of recent work (reviews of earlier work are encouraged but not required). •Three signed letters of reference. Please submit your application package using the online form at saskatoonlibrary.ca/careers. All applications must be received by Nov 15, 2024. A current, acceptable Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check will be required.
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