Consultations

Consultations with our Canadian Writer-in-Residence are free and open to the public.

Writers from across Canada are welcome to submit; however, priority is given to writers located in the Calgary area.

We welcome submissions of work at any stage, but a manuscript is not required. You can request a consultation in order to:

• receive guidance and edits on your written work,
• simply ask a question,
• discuss an idea, or
• receive general advice pertaining to writing and publishing in Canada.

How to book

Please fill out the form below to book a one-hour consultation with 2024-25 Writer-in-Residence Danny Ramadan.

Manuscript specifications

Genre

• Fiction
  • All sub-genres from literary fiction to sci-fi fantasy, and anything in between
  • Excluding fan-fiction
• Non-fiction
  • All forms, including lyrical, personal essays and investigative journalism
  • Excluding biography work
• Writing for children
  • Writing for all age groups, including picture books, middle-grade and YA
  • No limitations

Length and formatting

• Fiction, non-fiction, middle grade and YA: 
  • No more than 5000 words. This can be short fiction or the first chapter in a novel.
• Early reader chapter books or picture books
  • No more than 2000 words. 
• Please submit your work double-spaced pages in 12-point font with standard margins.

Restrictions

• Danny does not accept poetry, as he is not an expert on the genre, and does not write within it

Lead time

Please note that your manuscript excerpt must be submitted a minimum of one week before your appointment. Consultation requests that do not meet these specifications will be asked to resubmit.

Consultation hours

• Tuesdays: 1 - 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Consultations must be booked in advance. If you need to book outside of these hours please select "other," and we will do our best to accommodate alternate schedules, but cannot guarantee availability.

Consultation format

In person or online

One-on-one consultations are available in office at the University of Calgary campus or via Zoom. 

Due to high demand for consultations with our writers-in-residence, you are entitled to one individual consultation per academic year.

Accessibility

Zoom’s auto-captions are enabled. You are welcome to retain a copy of the live transcript.

Digital security and online safety

Zoom meetings will not be video recorded and will remain private. We ask that you extend the same courtesy and refrain from taking audio recordings, screen shots, or video recordings during consultations. 

Content advisory

We work to create a safe and supportive environment for all voices and do not accept submissions that contain racist, xenophobic, misogynist, and/or homophobic content.

The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program retains the right to decline a consultation request at its discretion.