Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Arts is seeking submissions from Canadian writers for the Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence position for Winter 2027. The Writer-in-Residence will receive $21,000 for a nine-week in-person residency from January 18 to March 19, 2027. Eight weeks are to be spent at Laurier's Waterloo campus, and one week at its Brantford campus.

This full-time position requires the Writer-in-Residence to spend 40 per cent of their time encouraging the development of other writers by planning and facilitating community programming, leaving 60 per cent of the work week available for the writer’s own creative projects. Community programming will be tailored to the writer’s interests and can include reading manuscripts and consulting with students and the public, visiting classrooms, giving readings and lectures, and leading courses and workshops.

This is an in-person position; all applicants should prepare to be on campus for events and consultations. Applicants should be in the midst of a new writing project intended for publication or performance and be active participants in the writing community. All Canadian writers of established literary reputation, working in any genre, are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by May 22, 2026.

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University's Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier's core values. Laurier is committed to amplifying the voices of those from equity deserving groups, including people who are Indigenous, racialized, have disabilities, and are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Laurier encourages applications from equity deserving groups, including writers whose lived experience informs their work. To see a full list of requirements or to apply for the Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence position, please visit the Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence page. Questions may be addressed to the chair of the search committee, Emily Urquhart, at emurquhart@wlu.ca.