Free Manuscript Help for Writers

In most large cities and many small ones, writers-in-residence provide valuable support and feedback to emerging writers.

Last year, I discovered the wonders of the Writer-in-Residence. These are experienced writers you can meet with, for free, to discuss your writing. Writers-in-residence are hired by a community institution, such as a library, university or literary centre like the Berton House in the Yukon.

In 2007 I was lucky to have a one-on-one writing consultation with Fred Wah, an accomplished poet and creative nonfiction writer, when he was the Writer-in-Residence at Simon Fraser University.. The meeting was forty-five minutes long, and Wah gave me insightful and incisive criticism on my short fiction. He also provided some ideas for future directions with my writing. This year's Writer-in-Residence at SFU is poet and black historian Wayde Compton.

Most writers-in-residence will provide consultations to any local writer. You are usually required to submit a short manuscript of your writing (5-10 pages) to the writer-in-residence at least a week in advance. During your consultation, they will provide you with detailed and constructive feedback on your writing. Make sure you are prepared to hear criticism before you go! It's also good to go prepared with a couple of specific questions about your work.

For the writer-in-residence, it's a good gig. They are paid to write, on the condition that they provide a some literary service to the community, such as meeting with emerging writers, doing public readings, or organising a literary event. If you've published a book, consider applying for a writer-in-residence job. For a recent description of a Writer-in-Residence job, check out the Vancouver Public Library's recent job posting.