Autumn sparks ideas. Everything began in September of 2022, with nothing but an idea and one ambitious — albeit timid — individual; me. Now, in April of 2023, I proudly look around at the bustling community of writers gathered together at Write Club’s weekly meetings, where members share their work and collaborate on artistry. A far cry from where I started, overseeing a dynamic group of people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, but what we all share is our commitment to building a diverse literary scene from the ground up.

Our meetings take place in a cozy, sunlit room, the air is alive with the sounds of tapping keyboards, rustling pages, and whispered conversations. From the moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in the warm embrace of a community that values and celebrates the written word.

On our website I built from scratch, https://writeclub.ca, members have the opportunity to showcase the work they have created; whether they are writing short stories, poems, or creative non-fiction like personal essays. We’re determined to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to tell their story, regardless of their experience or background, Write Club is open to anyone and everyone!

However, with our ambition comes a greater responsibility. We strongly believe that reading and writing should be accessible to everyone, it is no wonder that Write Club has managed to raise hundreds of dollars for literacy funds all across Canada by hosting fundraisers on campus. Furthermore, we are dedicated to creating a vibrant literary scene from the ground up; from our own independent publications, to collaborations with various local independent publishers, our members have the chance to be published and broadcast their stories, connecting with readers for the first time.

It was during this belief that sparked the creation of our Valentine’s Day fundraising fundraiser, dubbed “Just My Type”, which involved our members writing personalized poems for attendees in exchange for donations to The Canada’s Children Literacy Foundation. The success from this event helped to cement our belief that reading and writing are essential skills that should be accessible to everyone. It was through this powerful campaign that helped emphasize no one should be denied the opportunity to tell their story, no matter their experience or background.

The Chapbooks proudly on display.
The Chapbooks proudly on display.

This drive didn’t end there, however. On the morning of March 30th, the Advanced Poetry Workshop of Mount Royal University hosted their highly anticipated Chapbook Launch and Poetry Reading event, where members had the chance to showcase their individual creative works. To mark this momentous occasion, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief and deep admiration for all the members who worked tirelessly to perfect their chapbooks. Names such as Kenneth, Connie, Jenna, Emma, Em, Marcus, and Ally shone brightly, as each one of their works contained the intricate attention to detail that spoke to their passion.

A few days later, we once again hit the streets on April 4th with our Pop-Up Poetry event. Here, Write Club members displayed their skills by creating personalized poetry for anyone who came along. It was an exciting opportunity to share the power of words and writing, and it opened up the conversations between members and the public.

To say that I’m proud of where Write Club now finds itself would be an understatement. I feel sheer joy every time I look around and see the illuminated faces of members coming together, rising up, and celebrating the power and importance of words. I’m reminded of why I started the Club in the first place — the dedication to amplifying voices, the inclusivity, and the powerful messages writers are able to deliver through their work. As an advocate for the arts, I can’t express my pride enough for the incredible work that my members have done in furthering their stories, breathing life into them, and inspiring people to capture the beauty that lies within our words. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing an idea and a dream become a reality, and I am proud of what Write Club has achieved.

Plans For The Future

Looking ahead, Write Club has ambitious plans for the future. We want to continue our mission of amplifying diverse voices and building a literary scene that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. We aim to expand our membership and reach even more writers who are passionate about sharing their stories.

One of our main goals is to create more opportunities for members to connect face-to-face in person. While our virtual meetings have been a great success, we believe that having an in-person community is more vital and essential now more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that humans need social interaction and that being part of a community can have a significant impact on mental health and overall well-being.

As such, Write Club has plans to organize more in-person events, such as workshops, author talks, and poetry slams, in addition to our regular weekly meetings. We also want to organize a writing retreat, where members can spend a few days away from the distractions of daily life and focus solely on their craft. This retreat would be an excellent opportunity for members to connect with one another, receive feedback on their work, and gain inspiration from the beautiful natural surroundings.

Another significant goal for Write Club is to expand our reach beyond our local community. We want to collaborate with writers and literary organizations across Canada and even globally, to create an international network of writers. This would allow members to connect with writers from different backgrounds and perspectives, gain exposure to different literary styles, and broaden their understanding of the world around them.

Photo by Luke Porter on Unsplash

The Zine Revival

As Write Club continues to grow and expand, we have decided to take on the challenge of independent publishing. We want to revive and repopularize the zine movements of generations before us, but with a modern twist: Our goal is to create a platform where members can share their work with a wider audience, and where readers can discover new voices and perspectives.

Our plan is to start by publishing a quarterly zine, which will feature the best work submitted by our members. We believe that a physical publication will give our writers a tangible platform to showcase their work, and also create a sense of community amongst our readers. In addition, we plan to release a digital version of the zine, which will be available on our website for free. This will allow our work to reach a wider audience, and help to establish Write Club as a go-to source for emerging writers.

To fund this project, we will be launching a crowdfunding campaign. This will allow us to cover the costs of printing and distributing the zine, and also pay our writers a fair wage for their work. We believe paying writers for their contributions is essential, as it shows we value their time and effort, and helps to support emerging artists in their craft.

In addition to our zine, we plan to collaborate with local independent publishers to bring our members’ work to a wider audience. We believe partnerships with established publishers will help to give our writers the exposure they deserve, and also help to establish Write Club as a serious player in the literary scene.

We also plan to host writing workshops and seminars to help our members improve their craft, and to provide them with the skills they need to succeed in the publishing industry. By offering these resources, we hope to foster a community of writers who are not only talented, but also knowledgeable and informed about the publishing industry.

Are you ready to join a revolution? It all started with a simple idea and a single person, but now Write Club has become a dynamic community of writers from all walks of life, united by a commitment to building a diverse literary scene from the ground up. Imagine being part of a group of people who share your passion for words and storytelling, where you can showcase your own work and collaborate with others to create something truly magical. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, Write Club welcomes everyone with open arms. Are you ready to join us on this journey of creativity, inspiration, and self-expression?

Photo by Kayle Kaupanger on Unsplash