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Summary
The Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle returns with another mentorship and workshop program created to help emerging Indigenous writers elevate and develop their stories.
Over the past three years, more than 55 emerging Indigenous writers have been supported by the program, and they have had their successes, including a published book, at least eight confirmed book deals, and representation for writers such as book agents.
Richard Van Camp is returning for a third year as a mentor. Van Camp is an internationally renowned Tłı̨chǫ Dene storyteller and best-selling author. He has written 25 books. Explore Richard’s works on Audible.ca here.
Joining him as mentors are January Rogers, Tanya Talaga, Joshua Whitehead, Reneltta Arluk, Warren Cariou and Waubgeshig Rice.
Rogers is returning for a second year and is a multi-award-winning Mohawk/Tuscarora poet, media producer, performance and sound artist. She has seven published poetry titles and is currently developing a comedy web series titled NDNs on the Airwaves. Windspeaker’s article on Rogers’ three-act play Blood Sport can be found here: https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/blood-sport-play-about-cl…
Arluk is a writer and actor of Inuvialuit, Dene and Cree descent, originally from the Northwest Territories. As Banff Centre's former Director of Indigenous Arts, she has helped numerous Indigenous artists discover their voices and turn their ideas into reality.
Whitehead is a Two-Spirit, Oji-nêhiyaw member of Peguis First Nation (Treaty 1). He is an award winning author known for full-metal indigiqueer, Jonny Appleseed and Making Love with the Land.
Cariou is from Meadow Lake, Sask., born into a family of Métis and European heritage. His books, films, photography and scholarly research explore themes of community, environment, orality and belonging in the Canadian West, with particular focus on the relationships between Indigenous stories and the land.
Talaga is an acclaimed and award-winning Anishinaabe journalist and author of national bestsellers Seven Fallen Feathers and All Our Relations: Finding The Path Forward. Her Audible Original series, Seven Truths, features her personal story of fighting for Indigenous rights. Talaga heads up Makwa Creative Inc., a production company focused on amplifying Indigenous voices through documentary films, TV and podcasts.
Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written four fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His expertise is in journalism, fiction, and short stories.
Program Details (Year 4):
- The Audible Indigenous Writers’ Circle is a six-month mentorship and workshop program for emerging First Nations, Inuit and Métis writers in Canada looking to elevate their stories.
- The program is open to writers who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit and Métis emerging writers.
- Applications open Feb. 1 for eight weeks and the deadline is early April (the exact date to be announced). Application details can be found here.
- The program is looking for 21 emerging writers to participate.
- Chosen emerging writers in the program will be paired up with Indigenous mentors who will coach and guide participants through the creative process and help them identify and pursue opportunities in line with their goals as writers.
- Audible will provide additional support to the participants throughout the program, including guidance on how participants can promote their work. At the end of the program, depending on what stage each writer has progressed their creative work to and how they choose to share their writing, participants may explore opportunities with Audible.
- There’s no cost for writers to apply and selected emerging writers are eligible for a bursary to support their participation in the program.
- More information including details on the program, eligibility, and more can be found here: https://www.audible.ca/ep/IWC