Since 2001, the Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program has supported the development of emerging writers in Nova Scotia who are on the cusp of professional publication and who are committed to their writing and creative development. It is a disciplined, focused, and supportive one-on-one apprenticeship program through which writers expand and hone their craft.

Through this program, WFNS pairs professional authors with emerging writers, matching the experience and craft of mentoring authors’ with the project goals and manuscripts of apprentice writers. These mentorships helps emerging writers overcome barriers to their growth and development, provides mentoring authors with an opportunity to refine their mentorship and instructional skills, and reaffirms the creative conviction of everyone involved.

The Alistair MacLeod Mentorship Program has been supported throughout the years by various public grant programs and some private donations, but the funding landscape has become increasingly competitive. For us to continue to help emerging writers with this invaluable experience, we are seeking donations to help to grow an endowment that can provide us with sustainable funding year after year. As more and more emerging writers find their voice and put their writing out into the world, we’ll all benefit.

Jampolis Residency Program

Why donate to Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia on CanadaHelps?