Writers' Guild of Alberta Podcast
Books & Literature
About
Podcast by Writers' Guild of Alberta
Episodes
- 2026 Alberta Literary Awards finalists online reading
2026 Alberta Literary Awards finalists online reading by Writers' Guild of Alberta
- February 2026 Controversy at Noon: Are Children’s Writers the Ultimate Freedom Fighters?
February 2026 Controversy at Noon: Are Children’s Writers the Ultimate Freedom Fighters? by Writers' Guild of Alberta
- November 2025 Controversy at Noon: The Things They Never Told Me About Publishing
November 2025 Controversy at Noon: The Things They Never Told Me About Publishing by Writers' Guild of Alberta
- August Controversy at Noon. Banned Books: What Next?
Book banning across the country continues to concern the Canadian literary community, especially in Alberta where certain books are slated to be pulled from school shelves this Fall. What do these types of bans mean for writers and for rea…
- May Controversy at Noon: Why Buy Canadian
The current trade war between the United States and Canada–including tariffs focused on the book and publishing industry– has people thinking about buying products made in Canada and supporting local companies that keep our money in Canada…
- Alberta Literary Awards Finalists Online Reading
Alberta Literary Awards Finalists Online Reading by Writers' Guild of Alberta
- Freedom to Read Week Discussion
Please join us for a virtual conversation with Kit Dobson and David A. Robertson for Freedom to Read Week. The authors will discuss the importance of intellectual freedom, and share their own experiences with writing, teaching, and reading…
- Controversy at Noon: Writers Against AI
Controversy at Noon: Writers Against AI by Writers' Guild of Alberta
- Controversy at Noon: Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
Expanding on our September Controversy @ Noon discussion, which focused on traditional publishing vs self-publishing, our December panel will address questions WGA members and fellow literary folks submitted on the topic. Panelists will al…
- Controversy at Noon: Do Diasporic Writers Face More Pressure to Write About Current Affairs...?
Do newcomers and immigrants to Alberta face more pressure to write about current issues in their place of origin (eg, Gaza, Ukraine, Venezuela, etc.) than other writers? How do writers, especially immigrants and refugee writers, deal with…
- Controversy at Noon: Who is the Greatest Horror Writer of All Time?
We’re pivoting a bit and looking to have some fun with our October Controversy @ Noon Panel; this may be our most controversial discussion to date! We want to know: Who is the greatest horror writer of all time? From the gothic pages of St…
- Controversy at Noon: Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
The publishing world has gone through tremendous change in recent years, especially post-pandemic. Even established authors who have found great success being traditionally published have aired their grievances about the hardships and unce…
- Controversy at Noon: Genre and Style Bias
Marty Chan (Moderator): Marty Chan writes books for kids, theatre for adults, and social media posts for fun. The 2024 recipient of the WGA’s Golden Pen Award, Marty has written dramas, comedies, fantasy, and suspense. He works and lives i…
- Controversy at Noon: Saying NO to AI
Folks in the writing world continue to talk about AI and how they are using – or not using – it as a tool, a test, or even a novelty party trick. The writing seems to be on the wall when it comes to the inevitability of AI and its use in e…
- Controversy at Noon: Rejection. "Frame" or Reframe?
As writers, we are told that rejection, a lot of rejection – most likely – is par for the course. Some of us cope by making light of the situation, framing rejection letters and showcasing them on an office wall or shelf. Others opt to go…
- Reading with Alberta Literary Awards Finalists
This recording is from an online reading featuring finalists for the 2024 Alberta Literary Awards. Antoinette Bekker Astrid Blodgett Kate Boorman Jennifer Bowering Delisle Natasha Deen Julie Sedivy Josée Thibeault *Note. The audio volume d…
- Controversy at Noon: Ageism in the Industry
Does bias exist in the literary world where age is concerned? Writing is hard enough in the first place, do writers also have to worry about the continued relationship with their publisher, agent, readers, and other writers in the industry…
- Controversy at Noon: Book Banning in Alberta and Canada
With book banning in Alberta and Canada seemingly on the rise, it’s left many wondering what this means for writers, for readers, and for the community at large. What are the ways in which censorship affects and/or impedes the literary wor…
- Controversy At Noon: The ethics of writing on social issues
The ethics of writing on social issues can be a complicated topic of conversation for writers: What does it mean, really? Are certain issues off-limits for particular writers? What are the types of issues that fall under this very broad th…
- Alice Major hosts Michelle Porter and Hari Alluri
We are thrilled to present the latest episode of the Canadian Literature Centre podcast. In this episode, also part of the “Air and Fire” series of readings and conversations this year, Hari Alluri, Alice Major, and Michelle Porter explore…
- Controversy @ Noon
As the presence of Artificial Intelligence evolves and its reach continues to expand, writers are forced to ask themselves: What does this mean for me and my work? The topic of AI is multi-faceted, and while AI promises endless possibiliti…
- Writers' Outside but Inside!
July 26, 2023 was supposed to be an outdoor event featuring writers Katherine Abbass, Meghan Eaker, and Colby Clair Stolson. The event was rained out but the writers were kind enough to jump on a Zoom to be recorded and shared with you now…
- Freedom to Read Week Panel
Freedom to read can never be taken for granted. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, books and magazines are banned at the border. Schools and libraries are regularly asked to remove books and magazines from their shelves. Fe…
- Farzana Doctor And Kelly Kaur
Farzana Doctor and Kelly Kaur talk about what goes into writing that first novel, and what comes next.
- Bertrand Bickersteth And Makda Mulatu
Bertrand Bickersteth and Makda Mulatu talk about being racialized writers in Alberta.
- Carissa Halton And Michael Hingston
Carissa Halton and Michael Hingston talk about the important role that research plays in a writer's work.
- Gail Anderson Dargatz And Lisa Murphy Lamb
A conversation between WGA's Virtual Writer-in-Residence Gail Anderson-Dargatz and Lisa Murphy Lamb recorded in May of this year. Gail also gives a brief reading of her work.
- Canadian Literature Centre Podcast - Episode 9 - Chloe Savoie Bernard And Lorrie Jean Louis
En Francais.
- Micheline Maylor: The Bad Wife
Micheline Maylor reads from her new book, The Bad Wife, followed by a conversation with Anne Sorbie. Sponsored by The University of Alberta Press. *Original recording date: October 20, 2021*
- Beth Sanders: Nest City
Beth Sanders reads from her book, Nest City, followed by a Q&A with host Kelly Shepherd. Sponsored by Read Alberta *Original recording date: Oct 20, 2022*
- Ali Bryan: The Hill
Ali Bryan reads from her new novel, The Hill, followed by a conversation with host Heidi Klaassen. Sponsored by Read Alberta. *Original recording date: Oct 13, 2021*
- Barb Howard: Happy Sands
Barb Howard reads from her new book, Happy Sands, followed by a conversation with Anne Logan. *Original recording date: October 6, 2021*
- Jennifer Bowering Delisle: Deriving
Jennifer Bowering Delisle reads from her book, Deriving, followed by a conversation with host Katherine Abbass. *Original recording date: September 29, 2021*
- Robert Proudfoot: Come by Here, My Lord
Robert Proudfoot reads from his new book, Come by Here, My Lord, followed by a conversation with host Leif Gregersen. *Original recording date: September 22, 2021*
- Pamela Medland: Echo of Ash
Pamela Medland reads from her book, Echo of Ash, followed by a conversation with David Martin. *Original recording date: September 15, 2021*
- Dan Martin: An Orphan's Journey
Dan Martin reads from his new YA novel, An Orphan's Journey, followed by a Q&A from author Steven Sandor. *Original recording date: September 8, 2021*
- Sharon Butala: This Strange Visible Air
Sharon Butala reads from her new book, This Strange Visible Air: Essays on Aging and the Writing Life. The reading is followed by a conversation with host Alice Major. This episode of the WGA Online Reading Series is sponsored by Read Albe…
- Onyinye Odih: A Mother's Love
Onyinye Odih reads from her book, A Mother's Love, followed by a conversation with host Sue Farrell Holler. *Originally recorded on August 30, 2021*
- Neil Surkan: Unbecoming
Neil Surkan reads from his new book, Unbecoming, followed by a Q&A with host Berend McKenzie. *Originally recorded on August 18, 2021*
- Karen Spafford-Fitz: Pickpocket
Karen Spafford-Fitz reads from her new book, Pickpocket, followed by a conversation with host Charlotte Cameron. *Original recording date: Aug 11, 2021*
- Charlotte Cameron: Love and Courage in Troubled Times
Charlotte Cameron reads from her book, Love and Courage in Troubled Times, and talks to host Nancy Bell. *Original recording date: Aug 4, 2021*
- Sophie Stocking: Walking Leonard
Sophie reads from her new book, Walking Leonard, followed by questions and a conversation with host Lori Hahnel.
- N.L. Blandford: The Perilous Road to Her
N.L. Blandford reads from her book, followed by questions and a conversation with host Susan Calder.
- Leif Gregersen: Alert and Oriented x3
Leif reads from his book, followed by questions and a conversation with host Alexis Kienlen. *Original air date: July 7, 2021*
- Adriana Davies: From Sojourners to Citizens. Alberta's Italian History
Adriana reads from her book, followed by a conversation with host Marco Melfi.
- Joanne Morcom: Big Blue Sky
Joanne Morcom presenting her new book of haikus, with host Josephine LoRe.
- Glenn Dixon: Bootleg Stardust
Glenn Dixon talks about his novel Bootleg Stardust with fellow author Greg Rhyno. Glenn also plays music written and recorded for the book.
- Jael Richardson And Tea Mutonji - CLC Brown Bag Lunch - Episode 8
Catch Jael Richardson and Téa Mutonji in conversation on Episode 8 of the CLC Brown Bag Lunch Podcast! Jael Richardson is the author of The Stone Thrower: A Daughter’s Lesson, a Father’s Life, a memoir based on her relationship with her fa…
- Listen 2 Me Podcast - AC Clarke
Author Alison Clarke (she/her) has been creating magical worlds as soon as she could put pen (or brush) to paper. She was awarded 2016 Writer of the Year by Diversity Magazine for The Sisterhood, Book One of her middle grade fantasy trilog…
- Listen 2 Me Podcast - FK Aldon
F.K. Aldon : Question the Status Quo Author and YouTuber F.K. Aldon is a Jill of All Trades: she writes ✍🏾, she reads tarot 🔮, she podcasts 🎙️, she paints nails 💅🏾. Gio and Renée speak with Fadima about her motivation and process for…