Emerging Writers' Cafe (April 2026)

Hosted by The Bookshop at Esker in collaboration with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, The Writers’ Guild of Alberta, and the Writers' Guild of Alberta Youth Committee.

Ages 16+

The Emerging Writers’ Café is a quarterly meet-up for local emerging writers of all genres looking to develop their projects and ideas. It’s a space to share work, practice giving and receiving feedback, access resources and support, and spend focused time writing. Whether you're looking to strengthen your skills, make progress on a project, or workshop new ideas, it’s a great opportunity to connect and grow within Calgary’s writing community.

Writers are welcome to drop in to sit and write, or to take part in a feedback session (either by listening to others or by sharing their own work.)

Would you like to sign up for a 1‑on‑1 session during the program?
Sign‑ups will be sent to all registered attendees on Monday, April 13 at 12:00pm.

Each session will be approx. 15–20 minutes with staff from across participating organizations.
Before signing up, take a moment to think about your project, genre, and what you’d like to discuss during your session.

Writers will be able to use this space to:

• Get help with a specific problem from professional writers and fellow readers.
• Drop in and write with free snacks and drinks !
• Talk about their current projects and ideas.
• Brainstorm and explore new concepts.
• Answer questions about their work.
• Give kind, thoughtful feedback.
• Receive feedback with openness and grace.

Important Note:

We ask that all participants:

• Think about what they want out of the session: chill writing time, learning about giving and receiving feedback, specific help with specific challenges, etc
• Come prepared with specific questions they need help with - if any.
• Watch , a video from the Inside the Writer’s Room podcast by the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, featuring Finn Burnett and Andrew Buckley. (All participants will receive a printed guide on giving and receiving feedback based on this video.)

Your writing support team:

• Kendall Bistretzan: Writers’ Guild of Alberta Board Secretary, writer, reviewer, and book-lover.
• Adetola Adedipe: Esker Foundation Program Coordinator and Bookshop Manager, spoken word artist, poet, author, editor and lover of theatre, film and books.
• Precious De Leon: Program Director - Education & Community Engagement at Alexandra Writers' Centre Society. Precious is a poet, essayist, and speculative fiction writer.
• Ashley Frerichs: Program and Fund Development Coordinator at The Writers' Guild of Alberta. She is a writer of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction; she’s had a few short stories and poems published in various literary magazines.

About our collaborators:

Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society:
We will be doing feedback sessions and providing

The Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society aims to create a safe space where all storytellers are welcome. We provide a relaxed, friendly and encouraging environment where writers of all ages and abilities can practice their craft and share the joys and difficulties of the writing experience. We support writers’ development through a variety of classes, programs, and events, creating and reshaping offerings to meet the needs and interests of our members.

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta:

The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) was formed in 1980 to provide a meeting ground and collective voice for all the writers of the province. Our members write in every genre and at every level of expertise.

The WGA helps give Alberta writers a sense of unity and community, and is the largest provincial writers’ organization in Canada.

Writers' Guild of Alberta Youth Committee:

The Youth Committee was formed in January 2013 to identify the needs and interests of youth (up to 18 years old) and young adults (up to 30 years old).

Respect and Inclusion

By registering for this Program you agree to co-create, in collaboration with Esker Staff, Artists and Volunteers, an atmosphere of mutual inclusion and respect for all persons. This includes speaking, acting and behaving in a way that is absent of violence, harassment, racism, intimidation, bullying or discrimination of any kind regardless of, and not limited to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, age and ability. This includes in online/digital forums.

Media Consent

By participating in a program or event at Esker Foundation you consent to having Recordings taken (images, photographs, videos, audio recordings or other media) of yourself and/or your dependent(s) to be included in Esker Foundation’s Recordings Bank. This is a collection of Recordings intended to showcase the gallery’s activities, primarily for archival and reporting purposes. They may also be used for promotional purposes: on Esker Foundation’s website, social media or marketing materials. Esker Foundation will not use these Recordings for commercial purposes. Participants will be notified when Recordings are being taken, and may always opt out on the day of the program.

Info: We’ll begin by gathering at the front of the gallery for a quick introduction and to get to know one another. If you arrive a little late, no worries – join the circle when you can, and you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to connect throughout the session!

Info: Sign‑ups for 1‑on‑1 sessions will be sent to all registered attendees on Monday, April 13 at 12:00 PM. Each session will be approximately 15 – 20 minutes. Session lengths may be adjusted based on the total number of participants who sign up.

Info: All participants are welcome to spend their time free‑writing in the space, sharing their work with fellow writers for feedback, asking questions, and enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages.

Info: Group wind down, reflections and see you again in the Summer !

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Esker Foundation