The Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence program is a residency for Canadian writers. We offer both shorter, visiting author opportunities and longer residencies, depending on available funds and local planning initiatives from year to year. All Canadian writers of established literary reputation in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction or drama are encouraged to apply.

The writer-in-residence will receive $25,000 for a 12-week residency, a compensation rate per week commensurate with Canada Council funding (e.g. approximately $2,000 per week). Eleven weeks will be spent on Laurier’s Waterloo campus, and one week on Laurier’s Brantford campus. Laurier will provide accommodation close to campus for the chosen writer. Travel expenses to get to and from the residency will also be covered (within Canada).

The full-time position (40 hours per week) requires 40% of the author’s time to be spent on community programs or projects on Laurier's three campuses, leaving 60% of the work week available for the writer’s own creative projects. Community programs and projects include:

• reading manuscripts and consulting with students and the public,
• visiting classrooms,
• giving readings and lectures,
• leading workshops or
• participating in similar community programming in Brantford, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Toronto.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence program is currently on hold. We are monitoring the situation; all updates will be posted to this page.