The Writers' Guild of Alberta’s Mentorship Program, modeled off similar programs, matches three mentors with three apprentices for a four month mentorship. The program is designed to meet the needs of emerging Alberta writers for guidance, collaboration and encouragement while senior writers receive short-term employment and an opportunity to sharpen their mentoring/teaching skills. The focus of the mentorship is on instruction in the craft, and to a lesser extent, the business of writing. In order for the program to be accessible to writers of all economic means, there is no cost to the apprentices. A public reading takes place after the mentorship is completed.
Apprentices have gone on to publish the manuscripts they worked on during the mentorship, as well as go on to become writing instructors themselves.
“My time with my mentor was nothing short of life-changing. Her criticism, coupled with her wisdom and gentle humor was instrumental in transforming my manuscript from a first draft to an award-winning novel.”
— Ali Bryan, author of Roost and former apprentice of the WGA’s mentorship program
