National Public Readings Program Application Form

Applications are now open for 2026-2027 Fall/Winter readings through the Union’s National Public Readings program. Get paid for your author events taking place between September 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. Authors participating in these programs must be members of The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Deadline: July 19, 2026, 11:59 pm EDT

Please note: Applications received usually exceed available funding and it may not be possible to fund all applications. 

Reminder: TWUC Members and Host Organizations are each eligible for up to two full readings or four partial readings, or any combination equivalent to two full readings, each fiscal year (April 1 – March 31). 

Do not submit more applications than you are eligible for. If you submit more applications than you are eligible for, your applications will not be reviewed.

After submitting your form, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your form was not submitted. Please check your spam/junk folders before attempting to submit the form again.

Please ensure you have reviewed the National Public Readings program guidelines before applying.

 

Author Details

As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, the Union prioritizes funding for authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, Deaf or disabled/living with a disability.

The author for this reading is (please check all that apply):
Reading Details
Is this event self-hosted or hosted by an organization?
Requested reading:

Example: 2026-09-01
Fall/Winter readings must take place between September 1-March 31.

Will this event be in-person or virtual?
Is the venue for this reading wheelchair-accessible, including a wheelchair-accessible washroom?

The Union strongly encourages you to consider presenter and audience access needs as you plan your virtual or in-person events (e.g., closed captioning, ASL interpretation). We also encourage you to make accessibility information available to your audience as part of your promotional materials.

Host Organization Details
Is this reading part of a literary festival?
Note: A literary festival is an event, typically held annually, that brings writers and readers together for panels, workshops, readings, and/or discussion. The festival should be almost if not entirely exclusive to events that are author-focused. For example, a cultural festival that includes authors and musicians is not a literary festival. Examples of Canadian literary festivals can be found on the Canadian Association of Literary Festivals member page.
Funding Eligibility
I confirm this reading is not funded by another Canada Council for the Arts program.
I confirm this reading will be advertised and open to the public and is not part of a classroom or school visit, conference, workshop, roundtable discussion, fundraising event, book prize, or podcast.
I understand that funding for this event is non-transferable, due to large demand on the Union’s funding programs.
I understand that if this reading is approved, promotional materials will include acknowledgement (including logos) of the Canada Council for the Arts and The Writers’ Union of Canada.
I confirm that the author is a current TWUC member and has agreed to participate in the reading if funding is approved.
I confirm that the host organization has agreed to host this event and meet the publicity requirements for the reading.