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2026 WRITER IN RESIDENCE
Robert J. SawyerAward-winning author Robert J. Sawyer joins AWCS as our 2026 Writer in Residence. From September through November, Robert will offer manuscript consultations, workshops, public events, and opportunities for writers to learn from one of Canada's most accomplished authors.
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This program is made possible with the generous support of Scott Saxberg, Cache Island Resources.
Meet Robert J. Sawyer
Robert J. Sawyer—dubbed “the dean of Canadian science fiction” by the Ottawa Citizen and the CBC—has won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year; a record-setting 16 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras”); the top science-fiction awards in China, Japan, France, and Spain; an Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada; and over 50 other national and international writing awards. He is a member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario and was one of the nine initial inductees into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
The Canadian publishing trade journal Quill & Quire calls Rob one of “the most influential, innovative, and just plain powerful people in Canadian publishing,” and Maclean’s says, “By any reckoning, Sawyer is among the most successful Canadian authors ever.”
Rob’s 26 bestselling novels include Quantum Night (longlisted for Canada Reads) and FlashForward (the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name). His million-plus- word website—which The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature calls “the most elaborate and interesting of any created by a Canadian writer”—is at sfwriter.com.
The Canadian publishing trade journal Quill & Quire calls Rob one of “the most influential, innovative, and just plain powerful people in Canadian publishing,” and Maclean’s says, “By any reckoning, Sawyer is among the most successful Canadian authors ever.”
Rob’s 26 bestselling novels include Quantum Night (longlisted for Canada Reads) and FlashForward (the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name). His million-plus- word website—which The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature calls “the most elaborate and interesting of any created by a Canadian writer”—is at sfwriter.com.
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What the residency will include:
One-on-One Manuscript
Consultations (In-Person & Online) |
Courses & Workshops
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Special Events & More
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View the full program of workshops, consultations, and special events. Stay tuned.
An AWCS Member Benefit
The Writer in Residence program is one of the signature benefits of an AWCS membership. Throughout the residency, members have access to exclusive manuscript consultations and other opportunities to learn directly from an accomplished author, in addition to workshops and public events.
About the Program
The Writer in Residence Program offers members the opportunity to work closely with an established Canadian writer during a focused three-month residency. Running annually from September to November, the program is designed to support writers at all stages through conversation, mentorship, and shared learning.
Each year, the Writer in Residence develops a unique residency program shaped by their own practice and interests. This typically includes one-on-one manuscript consultations, group workshops, lectures, and community events. The residency creates space for thoughtful feedback, honest discussion about the writing life, and practical insight into craft, process, and publishing.
This program is as much about connection as it is about instruction. It is a chance to ask questions, get unstuck, and engage with writing as an ongoing practice rather than a finished product.
Each year, the Writer in Residence develops a unique residency program shaped by their own practice and interests. This typically includes one-on-one manuscript consultations, group workshops, lectures, and community events. The residency creates space for thoughtful feedback, honest discussion about the writing life, and practical insight into craft, process, and publishing.
This program is as much about connection as it is about instruction. It is a chance to ask questions, get unstuck, and engage with writing as an ongoing practice rather than a finished product.
What Members Receive
Members can expect a mix of individual and group-based opportunities during the residency, which may include:
- One free one-on-one consultation with the Writer in Residence, offered on a first-come, first-served basis
- Workshops focused on craft, process, or professional development
- Lectures or talks exploring the Writer in Residence’s work and creative approach
- Community events that invite conversation, reflection, and connection
Program Dates
The 2026 Writer in Residence Program will run from September to November 2026.
Applications for our next Writer in Residence are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. We’ll be in touch as the review process begins.
Applications for our next Writer in Residence are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied. We’ll be in touch as the review process begins.
Past Writers in Residence
Celebrating Over Two Decades of Mentorship
Explore the full list of past Writers in Residence. We thank them for their contributions to the AWCS community.
Explore the full list of past Writers in Residence. We thank them for their contributions to the AWCS community.
