The Writer’s Studio celebrates 25 years with new scholarship
The Writer鈥檚 Studio creative writing program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall with a special gift. One deserving student will be selected to receive the new Writer鈥檚 Studio 25th Anniversary Dean鈥檚 Award.
鈥淭o mark 25 years of the Writer鈥檚 Studio at SFU, I鈥檓 excited that we are offering a full scholarship that will support a student who is keen to complete a planned writing project,鈥� says Julia Denholm, dean of Lifelong Learning (Continuing Studies).
The Dean鈥檚 Award will cover full tuition for one student accepted into the yearlong mentorship program for 2026. Program director Andrew Chesham says he hopes the award will make all the difference for a writer facing financial barriers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so happy to have a full scholarship for a student in the January intake of the Writer鈥檚 Studio,鈥� says Chesham. 鈥淭he Dean鈥檚 Award will help a writer move forward鈥攁nd hopefully get across the finish line鈥攐f a manuscript that they feel compelled to write. Being able to offer this full scholarship in addition to our two partial awards, the Writing Mom鈥檚 scholarship and the Emerging Writer Scholarship, feels like a great way to celebrate 25 years of the Studio.鈥�
The Writer鈥檚 Studio was founded in 2001 by author Betsy Warland, driven by her belief in the power of community and writers working together to support one another. Since then, more than 900 students have graduated from the program. Alumni include a number of accomplished writers and high-profile names, such as bestselling novelist Janie Chang and Governor General鈥檚 award-winning poet Arleen Par茅. Through the program, many new writers have been able to see their work published for the first time, thanks to emerge, the annual student anthology.
鈥淎s the Writer鈥檚 Studio continues to build on many successful years,鈥� says Denholm, 鈥淚 look forward to reading amazing new works from our emerging writers.鈥�
Applications are now open for the mentorship program that begins in January. Visit the Writer鈥檚 Studio website for details on how to apply and to learn more about available scholarships.