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All libraries are open with limited services. Learn more about the re-open plan by visiting Our Path to Reopening. 

About the Program

The Writer in Residence acts as a mentor to writers in the community, reviewing manuscripts and providing advice about publishing. The Writer offers individual consultations, group workshops and programs, author readings and participates in other special events during their residency.

The Writer in Residence offers writing workshops, conferences and special events throughout their term. This year, Danny is leading several virtual programs including:

  • Novelish
  • Public Salon
  • Author on Author

Check out the Fall Program Guide to learn more.

Working With the Writer in Residence

Danny Ramadan’s term as Writer in Residence begins in September 2020 and runs until May 2021.

Danny is available to meet with adults and teens who want feedback and advice about a writing project. His office hours are:

Tuesday 11am—7pm
Wednesday 1pm—9pm
Phone: 306.975.7598

Due to COVID-19, all consultation will be held remotely for at least the first half of this term. Fill out the form below to get in touch with Danny.

  • Pronouns * Required
  • Are you a Saskatoon resident? * Required
  • The Writer in Residence is able to provide feedback in both English and Arabic.
  • Please attach your work. If you would like to submit a paper version, please visit one of our open libraries. Submissions should not be longer than 20 pages (double-spaced) and can be written in English or Arabic. If you are planning to drop off a paper copy, type-written text is preferred.

If you have questions about finding a publisher or agent, there are excellent resources provided by the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. You can also find publishing information in Writers’ Market 2020, and other titles by searching the library’s collection. 

2020-2021 Writer in Residence: Danny Ramadan

Danny Ramadan is an award-winning Syrian-Canadian author, public speaker and LGBTQ-refugees activist.

The Clothesline Swing, Ramadan’s debut novel, won the Independent Publisher Book Award for LGBT Fiction, The Canadian Authors Association’s award for Best Fiction, and was shortlisted for Evergreen Award, Sunburst Award and a Lambda Award. It was long listed for Canada Reads 2018. The novel is translated to French, German and Hebrew.

His children’s book, Salma the Syrian Chef, was released in March 2020 by Annick Press. He is currently working on his next novel, The Foghorn Echoes, a collection of short fiction, The Syrian Survival Notebook, and a YA novel, Son of the Silk Maker.

He was named among the Top Immigrants to Canada 2017 as well as awarded the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Award for Excellency. He is currently finishing his Masters in Fine Arts – Creative Writing at UBC and lives with his husband, Matthew Ramadan, in Vancouver. To learn more about Ramadan’s work, visit his website: www.dannyramadan.com.

The next Writer in Residence

The application deadline to be the 2021-22 Writer in Residence has passed and will be selected in December 2020. The residency will begin in September 2021.

Previous Writers in Residence

Help us select the next Writer in Residence.

We’re looking for community members to join the Writer in Residence Selection Committee. For more information and to apply, visit the Get Involved page. 

The Writer in Residence service and events are presented in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

Canadian Council for the Arts logo