Writer in Residence
Toronto Public Library (TPL)'s Writer in Residence program supports writers and encourages exchanges between the author and the community. The Writer in Residence creates and delivers programs, evaluates submitted manuscripts, meets with writers from the general public and works on their own project(s).
Writers who have held residencies at the library include Gail Bowen, Austin Clarke, Rabindranath Maharaj and Robert J. Sawyer. The most recent Writers in Residence have been Alissa York, David S. Young, Kate Cayley, Kim Echlin, Vikki VanSickle, Howard Shrier, Dan Werb, Thea Lim, Jamie Michaels, Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang, Farah Heron, André Alexis and Nino Ricci.
Upcoming Programs
Upcoming Events
David Silverberg | Spring 2026 Writer in Residence – Journalism
Location: North York Central Library
David Silverberg is a freelance journalist, editor, poet and writing coach. He writes for news networks such as BBC News, The Toronto Star, The Globe & Mail, MIT Technology Review, Canadian Business, Vice and The Grammys. He is the former editor of DigitalJournal.com and B2B News Network. For more than 15 years, he has facilitated workshops on non-fiction and creative writing for high schools and colleges across Ontario. David also coaches writers on journalism, poetry, solopreneurship and content marketing. In spring 2026, one of David’s poems will be featured in the TTC’s Poems in Passage program. He takes great pride in mentoring writers to help them reach their journalistic goals.
One-on-One Consultations
Toronto Public Library's Writer in Residence offers journalists the opportunity to book a one-on-one consultation or manuscript review with our Writer in Residence. Meetings with the Writer in Residence are by appointment, and can be attended in person, by video conference or by phone.
Submission Requirements
Appointment booking opens on April 29, 2026. New appointment times will be made available on a rolling basis through June 26, 2026.
To book a consultation, visit: https://calendly.com/nycl-writer-in-residence/consultation, opens a new window
To book a manuscript review, visit: https://calendly.com/nycl-writer-in-residence/manuscript-review, opens a new window
Manuscripts (1,000 words maximum, double-spaced and in 12-point font) must be provided at least one week before your manuscript review appointment date.
Email your manuscript to: write@tpl.ca
Andrea Thompson | Spring 2026 Writer in Residence – Spoken Word Poetry
Location: Toronto Reference Library
Andrea Thompson is a writer, editor, educator and spoken word artist who has been publishing and performing her work for over twenty-five years. A member of Canada’s first national slam poetry team, Thompson is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s MFA Creative Writing program, and the author of numerous critical essays on spoken word orature. In 2005 Thompson’s spoken word album, One, was nominated for a Canadian Urban Music Award. In 2019, her album, Soulorations, earned her a League of Canadian Poets’ Golden Beret Award. Thompson is the recipient of the 2021 Pavlick Poetry Prize and her collection, A Selected History of Soul Speak was shortlisted for the Robert Kroetsch Award for Innovative poetry, and longlisted for the Pat Lowther and Raymond Souster awards. In 2023, Thompson designed and delivered the first spoken word course to be offered at the University of Toronto, through the department of English & Drama in Mississauga, where she currently serves as sessional lecturer. Her most recent work is The Good Word, a spoken word album that reflects on the intersection of Black history and faith, and Complex, a multimedia poetic exploration of mental health. Find samples of her work at: www.andreathompson.ca
One-on-One Consultations
Toronto Public Library’s Writer in Residence offers writers the opportunity to submit manuscripts for review and feedback. The Writer in Residence meets with writers who submit their work to offer feedback and answer questions. Meetings with the Writer in Residence are by appointment. Only selected submissions will be contacted for a review. Writers with intermediate to advanced skills will be prioritized for consultations.
Submission Requirements
The deadline for submissions has now passed. Please stay tuned for the next opportunity.
Apply to be Writer in Residence
Toronto Public Library invites applications from Canadian writers with extensive writing and literary experience to participate in our paid Writer in Residence program.
Applications are not being accepted at this time. Please stay tuned for the next opportunity to apply.
The Toronto Reference Library’s Writer In Residence is generously supported by The Jack Rabinovitch Reading Room Endowment Fund.