The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program at the University of Calgary strives to advance the careers of Canadian writers, invigorate the Calgary writing community, and enhance the activities of the Faculty of Arts and the Department of English. The Program achieves its objectives through two annual residency programs: one for an emerging Canadian writer, and one for a distinguished writer of international stature. While in Calgary, these writers divide their time between writing and community activities. Community activities include individual manuscript consultations and providing advice to local writers, conducting writing workshops, giving public readings, and meeting with school groups.
2019–2020 Sharanpal Ruprai 2018–2019 Liz Howard 2017–2018 Denise Chong 2016–2017 Shane Book 2015–2016 2014—2015 Ian Williams 2013—2014 2012—2013 Deborah Willis 2011—2012 Jeramy Dodds 2010—2011 2009—2010 2008—2009 2007—2008 Sina Queyras 2006—2007 Jaspreet Singh 2005—2006 Melanie Little 2004—2005 Natalee Caple 2003—2004 Robert Finley 2002—2003 Suzette Mayr 2001—2002 Eden Robinson
2000—2001 Laura Robinson 1999—2000 1998—1999 Peter Oliva 1997—1998 Larissa Lai 1996—1997 Rosemary Nixon 1995–1996 Richard Harrison 1994—1995 Ven Begamudré 1993—1994 Roberta Rees
Complete List of Distinguished Visiting Writers
2018–2019 Amitav Ghosh 2017–2018 Marlon James 2016–2017 Michael Chabon 2015–2016 Zadie Smith 2014—2015 Shyam Selvadurai, Evelyn Lau 2013—2014 Neil Gaiman, Alberto Manguel 2012—2013 Margaret Atwood 2011—2012 Billy Collins 2010—2011 Art Spiegelman 2009—2010 Margaret MacMillan 2008—2009 Alberto Rios 2007—2008 Daphne Marlatt, Derek Walcott 2006—2007 Frederick Busch Tribute 2005—2006 Rudy Wiebe, Oliver Sacks 2004—2005 Alistair MacLeod 2003—2004 Anita Rau Badami, Dionne Brand, Louis de Bernières 2002—2003 Robert Kroetsch, Wole Soyinka 2001—2002 Nicole Brossard, Timothy Findley 2000—2001 Gary Burns, Deepa Mehta, Erin Mouré, Paul Quarrington, Anne Wheeler 1999—2000 Emma Donoghue, Tony Kushner 1998—1999 Dionne Brand, , Alberto Manguel, Adrienne Rich 1997—1998 Anita Rau Badami, 1996—1997 Louis de Bernières, Ursula K. Le Guin, Steve McCaffery, D.M. Thomas 1995—1996 Robin Blaser, Robert Creeley, Keri Hulme, Sir Laurens van der Post, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, 1994—1995 David Albahari, Marilyn Dumont, Thomas King, Tom Raworth 1993—1994 Michael Ondaatje
