Fostering the next generation of writers in Saskatchewan.
Applications are now open for our 2023 Teen & Young Writers’ Workshops!
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Teen & Young Writers’ Workshops are held each summer.
These workshops are offered free of charge to participants and are held in partnership with local libraries and festivals.
Each workshop offers up to 14 young creative minds the opportunity to develop their creative writing skills with a professional writer as instructor.
Applications:
- Applicants to Teen Writing Workshops should be 14–18 years old at the time of the program.
- Applicants to Young Writers’ Workshops should be 11–16 years old at the time of the program.
- Applicants are asked to write a few sentences about why they would like to attend the program, and to upload a short sample of their creative writing.
- Programs are open to applicants from all locations.
- For Online programs, you will need access to a computer or similar device with an internet connection and speakers. A microphone and webcam are strongly recommended, so that you can fully participate.
- In Person programs are offered in a day-camp style; if you do not live in the program location, you will need to arrange your own transportation and place to stay.
Summer 2023 Programs
In 2023, you can choose from in person and online options.
Prepare to learn about about writing both as a craft and as a profession. You will be guided through writing activities in various genres, can connect with their local and online writing communities, and will have the opportunity to discuss with instructors the writing life, professional pathways, and publication.
You do not have to dream of becoming a professional writer to attend a Sage Hill Youth Workshop! You just need to enjoy writing and have a desire to develop your skills.
Click on the + sign to the right of the program titles below for more information and to access the application form.
Have any questions about the programs or the application process? Contact us.
Teen Writing Workshops
IN PERSON in Saskatoon – with Kristine Scarrow┃Ages 14-18
Instructor Change! Congratulations to past instructor, Cooper Skjeie, for his new role as Coordinator for Decolonial and Indigenous Programming at Poetry In Voice.
Run Time: July 24-28, 2023. 10:30am–4:30pm
Location: Rusty MacDonald Branch Library, 225 Primrose Dr, Saskatoon, SK
Kristine Scarrow is the author of the four young adult novels The Gamer’s Guide to Getting the Girl, The 11th Hour, If This Is Home, and Throwaway Girl, all published by Dundurn Press. Kristine has a special interest in writing as a healing art. She is the writer-in-residence at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon and conducts online journal and writing workshops as the founder of Creative Soul Writing Academy.
Guest Author: To Be Announced
Partners and Sponsors: Many thanks to the Saskatoon Public Library, Community Initiatives Fund, City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries.
IN PERSON in Regina – with Marie Powell┃Ages 14-18
Run Time: July 17–21, 2023. 10:00am–4:30pm
Location: Sunrise Branch Library, 3130 Woodhams Drive, Regina, SK
Marie Powell’s castle-hopping adventures across North Wales resulted in her award-winning medieval fantasy series Last of the Gifted, set in 13th C Wales. She is also the author of 40+ children’s books with such publishers as Scholastic, Amicus, and Crabtree. Her short stories and poetry appear in literary magazines like Room and subTerrain, and her nonfiction appears in more than 70 magazines and online markets. Among her five university degrees, Marie holds a Creative Writing MFA from UBC. Her hobbies include experiments in gardening, medieval cooking, and cat whispering.
Guest Author: To Be Announced
Partners and Sponsors: Many thanks to Regina Public Library, the City of Regina, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries.
ONLINE – with Kristine Scarrow┃Ages 14-18
Run Time: July 10th–14th, 2023. 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: Online delivery
Kristine Scarrow is the author of the four young adult novels The Gamer’s Guide to Getting the Girl, The 11th Hour, If This Is Home, and Throwaway Girl, all published by Dundurn Press. Kristine has a special interest in writing as a healing art. She is the writer-in-residence at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon and conducts online journal and writing workshops as the founder of Creative Soul Writing Academy.
Guest Author: To Be Announced
Partners and Sponsors: Many thanks to the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries.
Young Writers’ Workshops
ONLINE – with Madonna Hamel┃Ages 11-16
Run Time: July 24– 28, 2023. 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: Online delivery
Madonna Hamel is a writer – performer who works in a variety of genres including radio documentary, one-woman monologues, poetry, screenwriting, nonfiction essays, and short stories. Her column “Ask Your Life” has been adapted into a memoir-writing course and tailored to teens. Her touring show “Mother’s Apron” was showcased last summer at The Lyric, toured BC and Saskatchewan last year, and is now being adapted into a novel. For three years, she wrote a weekly column called “The Story Pool” for Maple Creek News. She was awarded the 2020 Wallace Stegner House residency.
Madonna encourages students to find the format that works for them, to understand their inclination and direction. Her workshops are very enjoyable for students; many return every year, have formed strong bonds, and are always welcoming to new students. Madonna encourages clarity and originality in writing through a strong focus on word choice, so students start every class with new words they’ve found – or just recently realized they love.
Guest Author: To Be Announced
Partners and Sponsors: Many thanks to the Swift Current Chinook Regional Library, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries.
IN PERSON in Prince Albert – with Beth Gobeil┃Ages 11-16
Run Time: July 17–21, 2023. 10:00am–4:00pm
Location: John M. Cuelenaere Public Library, Prince Albert, SK
Beth Gobeil lives, works and writes in Prince Albert. She has published her poetry provincially and nationally on CBC radio, and in several journals. Her first book of poems, Breathing Room, (Hagios Press, 2015) was nominated for a Sask Book Award in 2016. In addition to writing, Beth enjoys gardening, fishing, exercising, spending time with her family and her energetic labradoodle, Echo.
Guest Author: To Be Announced
Partners and Sponsors: Many thanks to the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, and SaskLotteries.
Do you want to offer a teen or young writers’ program in your community?
Sage Hill partners with organizations that can contribute an accessible program venue, on-site coordination, and program cost-sharing. If your organization would like to work with us, please contact info.sagehill@sasktel.net.
If you are interested in instructing a Teen or Young Writers’ Workshop, please send your resume/C.V. and cover letter to sage.hill@sasktel.net.
Did you know that it costs Sage Hill Writing $325 per student to offer this workshop for free?
Donations of any amount help us continue to support young writers and keep the program accessible to everyone!
If you would like to donate, please visit https://sagehillwriting.ca/support-sage-hill/.
Sage Hill’s Teen and Young Writers’ Workshops are made possible by generous donors, funders, and community partners.
Many thanks to the Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, SaskLotteries, the City of Saskatoon, the City of Regina, the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, Saskatoon Public Library, Regina Public Library, John M. Cuelenaere Public Library (Prince Albert) and the Swift Current Chinook Regional Library.
