2021 Virtual Writer in Residence
The Lethbridge Public Library is proud to announce our 2021 Virtual Writer in Residence, Richard Van Camp!
The Writer in Residence program is designed to champion the joy of reading, foster an understanding of the craft of writing and offer library patrons the chance to connect with and learn from a published author. Richard is booking one-on-one appointments through November and December, and will be presenting a four-week workshop series from November 28 to December 19.
Richard Van Camp is a proud Tlicho Dene from Fort Smith, NWT. He is the author of 26 books in 26 years. He is best known for his 1996 novel The Lesser Blessed, which was adapted into a film by director Anita Doron in 2012. In the past several years, Richard has been the Storyteller in Residence for Calgary Public Library, and the Writer in Residence at the Metro Federation of Edmonton Libraries. He has also been the Writer in Residence at the University of Alberta, Yellowhead Tribal College and MacEwan University. He has also been the Writer in Residence at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.
Book Your Appointment Here
Please note, one-on-one appointments will be scheduled on Zoom, and are limited to one per person, for members of the Lethbridge Public Library and Chinook Arch Regional Library System.
Workshop Series
Date: November 28 - December 19 on Sundays at 2:00pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Richard Van Camp will be offering a 4-part workshop series as a part of his residency. Workshops will run on every Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00, November 28 - December 19.
Session details are below. You will be enrolled in all four workshops when you register.
Register for Workshop Series
Fiction Workshop – November 28
In this fun and empowering fiction workshop, best-selling author Richard Van Camp will share techniques about designing characters and he'll talk about why we need conflict. He'll talk about how the "story is the boss" and he'll also host a Q and A session where you can ask about publishers, agents--whatever you wish. Homework will be given so please do join us for the Fiction 2 workshop on December 19th where you can check in with the other writers you've met and our hope is that you form a Lethbridge Writing Group Collective where you meet every full moon to exchange manuscripts and encouragement.
Storytelling Workshop – December 5
Storytellers, come join us for great visiting online and share with us your best miracle or ghost story or both! This workshop will celebrate the craft of what makes a great oral story and we can talk about the protocols around receiving permission to share a story from someone you admire. See you there and let's have fun sharing our very best with each other and lifting each other's spirits.
Gathering Family Medicines – December 12
In this empowering workshop, Richard Van Camp will share tips on how to honour your family and your community and to use this time to not wait to record your Elders, Knowledge Keepers and family members, and Richard will share why this matters now more than ever. He will give you several techniques to record the stories you've always wanted to honour for yourself, your family and for future generations. He'll also talk about how to embrace technology to honour people you admire, as well.
Fiction Workshop II – December 19
Writers who joined us for the first Fiction Workshop are encouraged to return and check in with this workshop and share with us how they've been doing with their manuscripts and their assigned homework. This will be fun as we will explore the power of dialogue and character transformation.
