Thank you for YOUR INTEREST IN SUPPORTING THE AWCS!
The Alexandra Writers' Centre Society is a federally registered charity that has been offering programs and services to writers and creatives of all ages for more than 40 years. We have one of the strongest literary communities in the country and it only continues to grow. Everyone has a story to share, especially when the world seems to be more fractured than ever. We need writers; we need storytellers; we need creative communities that allow individuals to explore, create and learn.
When you support the Alexandra Writers' Centre you are supporting individuals looking for a way to cope with the world around them. You are supporting individuals overcoming adversity by finding their own voice and the courage to share their stories. You are supporting an up-and-coming author and strengthening the creative talent in our city and province. You are supporting youth writers looking for a place they can call their own. You are strengthening a community. You are making dreams come true. You are putting more books in the hands of readers. You are changing the world with a word, a sentence, a story, a poem, a novel, a memoir.
When you support the Alexandra Writers' Centre you are supporting individuals looking for a way to cope with the world around them. You are supporting individuals overcoming adversity by finding their own voice and the courage to share their stories. You are supporting an up-and-coming author and strengthening the creative talent in our city and province. You are supporting youth writers looking for a place they can call their own. You are strengthening a community. You are making dreams come true. You are putting more books in the hands of readers. You are changing the world with a word, a sentence, a story, a poem, a novel, a memoir.
FALL DONATION CAMPAIGN - The Alexandra Caper - Be a part of the story.
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The incredibly true story of 800+ writers, a missing $20,000 bounty, a villain who might actually be the hero, an unreliable narrator and supporting characters who run around creating chaos while picking up loonies, twoonies and spare change.
AWCS writers and the extended community, you are desperately needed! You all play a part in this story and the recovery of the $20,000 bounty needed to provide key services at AWCS. The question is …which character are you? And are you willing to prove your claim with a donation towards the missing bounty and provide that justification in words? |
We have just over two months to replenish the bounty - so don’t be shy writers - donate here ASAP and you can use your bounty receipt towards those pesky income tax bills. And a wee bonus - we will publish your stories in an online anthology in the new year! (With your permission, of course!)
HOW IT WORKS
Your Challenge to Become a Character in Our Story - “The Alexandra Caper and Why Stories Matter”
1. Decide which character you are from the handy descriptions below.
2. Donate accordingly - deadline is December 15 to make it into the published anthology.
3. Upon donation, we invite you to write 1 word for every dollar donated by you or on your behalf - you don’t want to just be working on Haikus, writers! Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction - any genre, any style.
4. Want some extra words? Share this email and have a non-writer friend or family member donate on your behalf and get their words.
5. Email your story to [email protected] by December 31, 2026 in an MS Word document .doc or .docx with Submission - Alexandra Caper - Why Stories Matter in the subject line.
THE DONATION
Which character are you?
Your Challenge to Become a Character in Our Story - “The Alexandra Caper and Why Stories Matter”
1. Decide which character you are from the handy descriptions below.
2. Donate accordingly - deadline is December 15 to make it into the published anthology.
3. Upon donation, we invite you to write 1 word for every dollar donated by you or on your behalf - you don’t want to just be working on Haikus, writers! Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction - any genre, any style.
4. Want some extra words? Share this email and have a non-writer friend or family member donate on your behalf and get their words.
5. Email your story to [email protected] by December 31, 2026 in an MS Word document .doc or .docx with Submission - Alexandra Caper - Why Stories Matter in the subject line.
THE DONATION
Which character are you?
- Protagonist/Hero – donations of $1000 and above: Help fund 10 or more members in need with an annual membership.
- Antagonist/Villain – donations between 500-999 - Help fund our key event, When Words Collide.
- Romantic Love Interest – donations between $200 and $499: Help fund up to 5 youth in a young writers program.
- Hilarious Sidekick – donations between $100 - $199: Help fund a couple of members with an annual membership or pay for a seat in a course or workshop.
- Supporting Character – a single donation, any amount: $20 brings in donuts for a Lit Lunch or Writers Salon event, $50 helps bring in a guest speaker for a youth program or adult event.
- (Un)Reliable Narrator – a monthly recurring donation, any amount: Take the UN out of UNreliable and show your support year round. (Please note if you choose this option, multiply your monthly contribution by 12 to get your word count.)
THE STORY (if you accept the challenge)
The Alexandra Caper - Why Stories Matter
What better story to write and be a part of! Why do stories matter to you? Can you weave this into the Alexandra Caper and your character, in your voice and your genre? Write a poem or haiku, or maybe you want to get a little more personal and write a piece of creative nonfiction.
Try a prompt, or an original idea! You’re a writer, after all!
Possible Prompts
What does the bounty pay for?
The bounty will help AWCS subsidize programs that benefit youth, and members in need such as course and workshop seats, membership, youth retreats and more. Last year we offered nearly $15,000 in subsidies to 65 writers, averaging $230/person. We expect that number to increase this year.
And in case you didn’t know….
The Alexandra Writers Centre was founded in 1981 for the purpose of bringing writers together to share their stories and learn together. 45 years later, we boast more than 800 members, the only multi-genre literary festival of its kind in Canada, and hundreds of our members have gone on to publish their work in varying capacities, won contests, been the recipients of prestigious awards, and so much more.
Our youth program, which started in 2010 with just two participants, has grown to close to 100 youth. Some of these young writers have become filmmakers, poets, published writers before turning 18. We are so proud of the work they have accomplished and the satisfaction in their endeavors.
We are a safe place for people to connect and build community and make lifelong friends with shared passions. We aim to provide a network for everyone to live their creative life free from judgement, to provide outlets for expression in an often-confusing world.
Join us in ensuring that the literary arts are available to everyone, and give space for those who want to continue to create and share their stories.
The Alexandra Caper - Why Stories Matter
What better story to write and be a part of! Why do stories matter to you? Can you weave this into the Alexandra Caper and your character, in your voice and your genre? Write a poem or haiku, or maybe you want to get a little more personal and write a piece of creative nonfiction.
Try a prompt, or an original idea! You’re a writer, after all!
Possible Prompts
- Stories are universal
- Stories help us to understand the world around us and how we fit.
- Stories help us learn and teach us how to act.
- Stories shape our perspective of the world.
- Stories help us understand other perspectives.
- Stories pass down knowledge and morals to future generations.
- With the increase of Generative AI, it’s even more important to focus on human-created stories and understand why it matters.
What does the bounty pay for?
The bounty will help AWCS subsidize programs that benefit youth, and members in need such as course and workshop seats, membership, youth retreats and more. Last year we offered nearly $15,000 in subsidies to 65 writers, averaging $230/person. We expect that number to increase this year.
And in case you didn’t know….
The Alexandra Writers Centre was founded in 1981 for the purpose of bringing writers together to share their stories and learn together. 45 years later, we boast more than 800 members, the only multi-genre literary festival of its kind in Canada, and hundreds of our members have gone on to publish their work in varying capacities, won contests, been the recipients of prestigious awards, and so much more.
Our youth program, which started in 2010 with just two participants, has grown to close to 100 youth. Some of these young writers have become filmmakers, poets, published writers before turning 18. We are so proud of the work they have accomplished and the satisfaction in their endeavors.
We are a safe place for people to connect and build community and make lifelong friends with shared passions. We aim to provide a network for everyone to live their creative life free from judgement, to provide outlets for expression in an often-confusing world.
Join us in ensuring that the literary arts are available to everyone, and give space for those who want to continue to create and share their stories.
Other Ways to GIVE
ONE-TIME DONATIONS
Make a one-time donation through one of the below methods. We also accept donations via e-transfer. All donations over $10 are eligible for a tax deductible donation receipt.
Make a one-time donation through one of the below methods. We also accept donations via e-transfer. All donations over $10 are eligible for a tax deductible donation receipt.
MONTHLY RECURRING DONATIONS
A monthly recurring donation can be done through Canada Helps.
A monthly recurring donation can be done through Canada Helps.
LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
Are you a local small business that supports the arts, has a passion for literature, literacy, supporting adults and youth in all their creative endeavours? For a minimum $500 annual sponsorship, the AWCS will include your company logo and link on Our Sponsors page.
Larger sponsorships can be made for specific programs such as the J. Michael Fay Subsidy Program, Youth Programs, Author Development Program, Writer in Residence Program or When Words Collide. Please contact us for more details.
Are you a local small business that supports the arts, has a passion for literature, literacy, supporting adults and youth in all their creative endeavours? For a minimum $500 annual sponsorship, the AWCS will include your company logo and link on Our Sponsors page.
Larger sponsorships can be made for specific programs such as the J. Michael Fay Subsidy Program, Youth Programs, Author Development Program, Writer in Residence Program or When Words Collide. Please contact us for more details.
LEGACY GIFTS
Want to memorialize yourself or someone else connected to the writing community? Consider making AWCS a beneficiary and make an impact after you're gone. Please contact us for more details, or talk to your estate lawyer.
Want to memorialize yourself or someone else connected to the writing community? Consider making AWCS a beneficiary and make an impact after you're gone. Please contact us for more details, or talk to your estate lawyer.
