Writers' Guild of Alberta Podcast

May 2026 Controversy at Noon: Is an online presence vital for today's writers by Writers' Guild of Alberta

2026 Alberta Literary Awards finalists online reading by Writers' Guild of Alberta

February 2026 Controversy at Noon: Are Children’s Writers the Ultimate Freedom Fighters? by Writers' Guild of Alberta

November 2025 Controversy at Noon: The Things They Never Told Me About Publishing by Writers' Guild of Alberta

Book banning across the country continues to concern the Canadian literary community, especially in Alberta where certain books are slated to be pulled from school shelves this Fall. What do these types of bans mean for writers and for readers, now and in the coming months? Years? What calls to action might help prevent the banning of books in the future? Join our panelists and experts as they exp...

The current trade war between the United States and Canada–including tariffs focused on the book and publishing industry– has people thinking about buying products made in Canada and supporting local companies that keep our money in Canada. With Canadians paying closer attention to how our money is spent, is there now a fresh opportunity to get the word out there about reading books authored by Ca...

Alberta Literary Awards Finalists Online Reading by Writers' Guild of Alberta

Please join us for a virtual conversation with Kit Dobson and David A. Robertson for Freedom to Read Week. The authors will discuss the importance of intellectual freedom, and share their own experiences with writing, teaching, and reading banned and/or challenged books. About the Speakers: David A. Robertson is the author of When We Were Alone (2017 Governor General’s Literary Award), The Barren...

Controversy at Noon: Writers Against AI by Writers' Guild of Alberta

Expanding on our September Controversy @ Noon discussion, which focused on traditional publishing vs self-publishing, our December panel will address questions WGA members and fellow literary folks submitted on the topic. Panelists will also have the opportunity to share their views, insights, and experiences with self-publishing, traditional publishing, and/or hybrid publishing. Submitting Questi...

Do newcomers and immigrants to Alberta face more pressure to write about current issues in their place of origin (eg, Gaza, Ukraine, Venezuela, etc.) than other writers? How do writers, especially immigrants and refugee writers, deal with the many giant global “distractions” enough to write about anything else? Should current events and related topics be prioritized by all writers in all genres? W...

We’re pivoting a bit and looking to have some fun with our October Controversy @ Noon Panel; this may be our most controversial discussion to date! We want to know: Who is the greatest horror writer of all time? From the gothic pages of Stoker and Shelley, to King’s twisty endings or Rice’s description-laden vampire tales, who really takes the cake when it comes to making us squirm, scream, cry, o...

The publishing world has gone through tremendous change in recent years, especially post-pandemic. Even established authors who have found great success being traditionally published have aired their grievances about the hardships and uncertainty in the industry moving forward. Self-publishing has become a popular alternative for writers who want more control and autonomy when publishing their wor...

Marty Chan (Moderator): Marty Chan writes books for kids, theatre for adults, and social media posts for fun. The 2024 recipient of the WGA’s Golden Pen Award, Marty has written dramas, comedies, fantasy, and suspense. He works and lives in Edmonton with his wife Michelle and their two cats, Minnie and Hugo. For more information about Marty, visit martychan.com. Social handles: X: Marty_Chan Blue...

Folks in the writing world continue to talk about AI and how they are using – or not using – it as a tool, a test, or even a novelty party trick. The writing seems to be on the wall when it comes to the inevitability of AI and its use in everyday life, but have writers and readers had their say about how AI creates new works of art? Some groups of writers are speaking out against the use of their...

As writers, we are told that rejection, a lot of rejection – most likely – is par for the course. Some of us cope by making light of the situation, framing rejection letters and showcasing them on an office wall or shelf. Others opt to go back to the drawing board, reframing their process, their work, or even their overall career plans. When is enough enough? Is there a point where we accept that...

This recording is from an online reading featuring finalists for the 2024 Alberta Literary Awards. Antoinette Bekker Astrid Blodgett Kate Boorman Jennifer Bowering Delisle Natasha Deen Julie Sedivy Josée Thibeault *Note. The audio volume drops at the end of the recording during Astrid Blodgett's reading. Apologies for the inconvenience*

Does bias exist in the literary world where age is concerned? Writing is hard enough in the first place, do writers also have to worry about the continued relationship with their publisher, agent, readers, and other writers in the industry as they get older? If so, in what ways? Additionally, are writers in certain genres prone to be more successful if they fall under a particular age group? Less...

With book banning in Alberta and Canada seemingly on the rise, it’s left many wondering what this means for writers, for readers, and for the community at large. What are the ways in which censorship affects and/or impedes the literary world, and what can we do to maintain the creative freedom to read and to write what we choose to?

The ethics of writing on social issues can be a complicated topic of conversation for writers: What does it mean, really? Are certain issues off-limits for particular writers? What are the types of issues that fall under this very broad theme? How can we strive to write characters and narratives that feel meaningful, informed, and appropriate to the story we’re trying to tell? Join our group of pa...

We are thrilled to present the latest episode of the Canadian Literature Centre podcast. In this episode, also part of the “Air and Fire” series of readings and conversations this year, Hari Alluri, Alice Major, and Michelle Porter explore the literal and metaphorical significance of fire in a brilliant, wide-ranging reading and conversation.

As the presence of Artificial Intelligence evolves and its reach continues to expand, writers are forced to ask themselves: What does this mean for me and my work? The topic of AI is multi-faceted, and while AI promises endless possibilities for artists and writers alike, it also brings with it fear and uncertainty. What lines have been drawn between AI as a supplemental tool and AI as the career-...

July 26, 2023 was supposed to be an outdoor event featuring writers Katherine Abbass, Meghan Eaker, and Colby Clair Stolson. The event was rained out but the writers were kind enough to jump on a Zoom to be recorded and shared with you now. Please enjoy.

Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border. Schools and libraries are regularly asked to remove books and magazines from their shelves. Few of these stories make headlines, but they affect the right of Canadians to decide for themselves what they choose to read. Our neighbours to the south seem to...

Farzana Doctor and Kelly Kaur talk about what goes into writing that first novel, and what comes next.