Program Information
Program faculty Kim Fu (left) and Kazim Ali (right)
Overview
This 12-day writing residency supports new writers of fiction at varying levels of accomplishment, from not-yet-published writers to those with one published book. In this self-directed, workshop-based residency, authors will work closely with our faculty Kim Fu, Kazim Ali, and our professional guest Norm Nehmetallah (Invisible Books), to expand your practice and focus on improving writing skills.
The Early Career Writers of Fiction Residency is an energizing, transformative experience, designed to help you take your writing to a new level. This residency is a perfect entry point into Banff Centre’s full suite of Literary Arts programs, offering new writers the opportunity to work on a portion of a manuscript in a workshop setting directly with faculty. The program will help you build your critical vocabulary, making you better critics of your own and others’ work. You will also learn more about the craft of writing, and about the conventions and possibilities for innovation in fiction.
This flexible program allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. All program elements are optional.
What does the program offer?
This 12-day self-directed residency provides mentorship from faculty members and professional guests, Q&A sessions, public events, and one-on-one workshopping. Mentors will discuss ideas, experiences, and obstacles that participants may be encountering with their writing of fiction.
In addition to a single room and a small private studio, you will be surrounded by a community of artistic peers. The flexible program format allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. All program elements are optional.
Who should apply?
Any new writer of fiction interested in mentorship, public reading opportunities, and feedback from faculty and fellow participants will benefit from this program. The program is open to writers with no publications, a few publications, or even a first book.
Writers of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities, and expressions are encouraged to apply.
Please note: This program is run in English and participants are accepted for an English language project.
Faculty
What's Included
Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can accommodate most dietary requests.
The Full Flex meal plan is calculated at $70 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in one of our performance venues.
Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Each participant will be allocated a private writing space on campus.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
The Library is delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with the following services:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Access to collections, including program relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and object library.
- Library accounts for borrowing materials.
- Digital Library, on campus and remote access.
- Library research assistance, by appointment.
- Archives research, by appointment only.
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 for individuals or groups ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous).
Application Fees are non-refundable.
Individual group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance.
*Scholarship of 100% is available and will be applied to cover tuition, and 50% is available to offset meals and accommodation costs.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Pay your application feePlease login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsAdjudication
Adjudication is based on artistic merit, the potential impact of the program on artists’ practice and careers, project feasibility and the capacity of Banff Centre to help realize the project, and the project’s fit with Banff Centre’s values and strategic directions as described in its strategic plan. Banff Centre respects the need for artists to plan ahead for their visit; applicants will be notified as soon as adjudication is complete.
International Applicants
Banff Centre welcomes domestic and international applicants for this program. Please note, Banff Centre programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility requirements, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted individuals are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. Current wait times to receive a visa are much longer than normal, so applicants who require a Visitor Visa should check the current expected processing times prior to applying.
Eligibility
Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
This program is not open to current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming, or to any applicants who have completed a Banff Centre Literary Arts residency in the last year.
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
