creative writing groups montreal

Our Winter & Spring Workshops are now open for registration!

Scroll down to the “upcoming workshops” section for details of the workshops being offered..

QWF Members, please note that you must be logged in to receive the Member discount. If you are renewing your membership, this transaction must be processed first before you are able to receive a discount on workshop registration.

QWF Writing Workshops help participants develop writing with the support of an experienced professional writer-facilitator and feedback from peers.

QWF runs two regular seasons of writing workshops per year, in Spring (March to May) and Fall (October to December). Registration for the Spring workshops opens the preceding December, and for the Fall workshops in August. We offer workshops in a wide range of genres, including long- and short-form fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, children’s and/or young adult literature, and career-related topics.

We occasionally run single workshops at other times of year – keep an eye on the site and listings!

We’re always looking for new workshop leaders and ideas for workshops, so if you have a workshop that you’d like to propose or want to see QWF organize, please write to us .

The Fresh Pages Diversity Initiative: Workshop Scholarships for Underrepresented Writers

Each term, QWF offers four full scholarships to aspiring writers and playwrights who are Indigenous, Black, or persons of colour. Click here for more information>>

For the Winter-Spring 2024 workshop season: Please note that all of our Fresh Pages Scholarships have been claimed and a waiting list for them has been created. Applicants who apply will be put on the waiting list.

Needs-Based Workshop Scholarships

QWF offers an additional four full scholarships each term to participants who would not be able to attend without financial support. Click here for more information>>

For the Winter-Spring 2024 workshop season: Please note that all of our needs-based scholarships have been claimed and a waiting list for them has been created. Applicants who apply will be put on the waiting list.

Upcoming workshops

Perspective in Literary Fiction

Storytellers operate in first-person, second-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient, and more unusual points-of-view. This five-week workshop will offer a deep dive into the use of perspective in fiction. More info

Illuminated Grant-Writing

This series of four workshops will examine how writers with projects for print, spoken word, or storytelling can develop a strong literary arts grant application. More info

Writing Comic Poetry: Seriously?!

Can a poem be funny? In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to explore the place of humour in their work, through guided readings, discussions, and exercises. More info

Memoir: How to Tell Your Story

Each of us has a story to tell. We all have memories. In this workshop we’ll focus on transforming the personal into something that reaches beyond. More info

Unlock Your Filmmaking Dreams: A Short Film Screenwriting Workshop

This workshop is not just about dreaming—it's about doing. It's about equipping you with the tools to transform your creative ideas into compelling short films. More info

Edit Your Own Prose: The Art of Rewriting

The workshop will focus on big-picture issues, including story line, character development, and genre expectations, and help you bring the story alive on the page through rhythm, effective dialogue, and language choices. More info

Speaking Truth to Power: How to Write Non-Didactic Political Poetry

This 8-week poetry workshop focuses on writing poetry that engages with social justice and politics without leaning too far into didacticism and prescriptiveness, without sounding too preachy or like a chant in a march. More info

Speculative Fiction Master Class: Readying Your Work for Publication

Speculative fiction is defined broadly to include anything from science fiction to fantasy to slipstream to magic realism. Participants are free to submit a short story, an excerpt from a larger work, a script, speculative poetry, a comic, or graphic novel excerpt. More info

Getting Weird: Crafting Surreal Short Stories

Getting Weird is an 8-week short fiction workshop that focuses on writing strangeness into the everyday, as a method for exploring and disrupting questions of race, gender, sexuality, climate change, capitalism, and other big topics. More info

Writing Biography: A One-Day Creative Nonfiction Workshop

This workshop aims to introduce participants to the art and science of writing the story of another person’s life. More info

Humour in Storytelling: A Comedy Writing Workshop

Through examples of comedic writing, discussions, and various writing exercises, workshop participants will learn tips and tools on how to employ humour in storytelling (with characters, dialogue, and storylines) and a broader sense of the landscape for comedic writing. More info

Exploring Childhood Through Stories: Writing Picture Books and Early Chapter Books

This is a workshop for writers interested in writing picture books and early chapter books, and also for illustrators who would like to hone their writing skills. More info

Inhabiting the Isolarion: A Psychogeography Poetry Workshop

Using the concept of the isolarion, and practices and techniques from psycho-geography, participants will create a short suite of poems exploring significant places, relationships, communities, cultures, and experiences in their lives, to explore and trace threads running from the past to present to future. More info

Unleashing the Power of Your Podcasting Voice

Join us for a dynamic and immersive one-day workshop designed for aspiring podcasters who wish to embark on a literary podcasting journey. More info

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing Residencies!

In this two-day workshop, we will explore how writers can benefit from different residency opportunities and how to put forward the strongest application possible.  More info

Loading workshops...

• Children's and YA Lit
• Creative Writing
• Non-fiction
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting
• Short-fiction
• Translation
• StoryScaping Workshops
• The Mairuth Sarsfield Mentorship for Underrepresented Writers
• Fresh Pages Workshop Scholarships for Underrepresented Writers and Playwrights
• Guest Curatorship at the Words & Music Show
• Editorial Mentorship at carte blanche
• The LTAC/QWF Mentorships in Literary Translation
• WiC at a Glance
• About the Program
• Writer-Facilitators
• Pyramid Campaign
• Shut Up & Write!
• General Info
• Eligible Authors
• Application Process
• Types of Presentations
• Cost of visit
• Rules for Reimbursement
• CBC/QWF Digital Writing Residencies
• The Max Margles Writing Residency

Workshop Policies

Please familiarize yourself with our workshop policies and general guiding principles

• Cancellation policy
• Accessibility
• Guidelines for workshops
• Conflict resolution process
• Fragrance policy
• Anti-Harassment policy

Special Thanks

QWF gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Government of Canada.

A guide to Canadian writing groups

Social Sharing

Whether you write as a hobby or have loftier goals, you don't have to do it alone. Joining a writing group is a great opportunity to meet other writers, hone your craft and find a mentor.

• Calling all writers! The 2022 CBC Nonfiction Prize is now open

The groups listed here are a sampling of what the Canadian literary community has to offer.  Are you part of a writing group that is open to new members and want to be on our list? Email us at [email protected] .

• 4 reasons you should join a writers' group

British Columbia | Alberta | Saskatchewan |  Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec  | New Brunswick |  Prince Edward Island |  Nova Scotia  | Newfoundland & Labrador

British Columbia

Christianne's Lyceum of Literature and Art What: An inclusive set of programs and writers' workshops Where: Vancouver, B.C. Who: Writers of all ages

Comox Valley Writers Society What: Supports writers in the development of their craft. General meetings monthly, small writing critique groups, monthly Prose and Poetry at the Courtenay Library, annual community outreach literary event – the North Island Writers Conference. Where: Courtenay, BC Who: Writers of all ages

Kelowna Writers' Group What: Writers meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Kelowna library. Where: Kelowna, B.C. Who: Writers of all genres

Kelowna Word Guild What: Monthly meetings to provide support to writers who are Christians through workshops, critique circles, skill building exercises and other areas of need. Also host events to showcase the writers, regional one day conferences, and writer retreats. Where: Kelowna, B.C. Who: Christian writers

New West Writers What: Writing critique group Where: New Westminster, B.C. Who: Writers of all genres

Sooke Writers' Collective What: A writers group offering support, feedback, an annual anthology, workshops and mini-retreats. Where: Sooke, B.C. Who: Writers of all levels and genres

Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society What: An inclusive group of writers and editors that meets monthly and has community-minded projects. Where: A combination of Zoom and various venues on Sunshine Coast, B.C. Who: Writers and editors of all levels of experience, ethnicities and is inclusive of the LGBTQ2 community

Surrey Libraries writing groups What: Writing groups for adults and teens Where: Surrey, B.C. Who: General public

Vernon Critique Group What: A group of fiction writers offering critique and feedback on each other's work on the third Saturday of each month.  Where: Vernon, B.C. Who: Fiction writers

Victoria Writers' Society What: Participate in small, informal groups where writers present their works in progress and receive critical feedback. There are currently groups focused on short stories, novels, general fiction and creative nonfiction. Where: Victoria, B.C. Who: Members of the Victoria Writers' Society

British Columbia Association of Travel Writers What: A group for B.C. travel journalists and writers Where: British Columbia Who: Meetups are open to the public

The Grind Writers' Group What: Writers of all levels and genres Where: Vancouver, B.C. Who: General public

Heart & Mind Writing Group What: Writers of all levels and genres Where: Sicamous, B.C. Who: General public

Alexandra Writers' Centre Society What: Community of emerging writers of all ages Where: Calgary, Alta. Who: General public

Edmonton Writers' Group What: Informal group of aspiring and published writers Where: Edmonton, Alta. Who: General public

Imaginative Fiction Writers Association What: Critique of written work, marketing advice, writing games and exercises Where: Calgary, Alta. Who: Members of the Imaginative Fiction Writer's Association

Parkland Poets What: Community of poets who share their work Where: Stony Plain, Alta. Who: General public

Strathcona County Writers What: Writers of all levels and genres Where: Strathcona County, Alta. Who: General public

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Writers Guild What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Saskatchewan Who: Members

Brandon Writers' Collective What: Writing group for all genres Where: Brandon, Man. Who: General public

Interlake Writers Guild What: Writing group for all genres Where: Selkirk, Man. Who: General public

Manitoba Writers' Guild What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Manitoba Who: Workshops are open to both members and the general public

Immigrant Writers Association (IWA) What: Programs, activities, and services that empower and support immigrant writers in their journeys. Our mission is to encourage immigrants to express themselves through writing. Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: Canadian immigrant writers

InkWell Workshops What: Drop-in creative writing workshops Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: Adults with mental health and addictions issues

Firefly Creative Writing What: Writing workshops, coaching and retreats Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: General public

KW Writer's Alliance What: Organization helping to connect and develop writers of all genres Where: Waterloo, Ont. Who: General public

London Writers Society What: Organization helping to connect and develop writers of all genres Where: London, Ont. Who: General public

Memoirs Writing Group What: Group discussions to help writers develop their writing voice with feedback to assist with the editing process Where:  Brampton, Ont. Who: Adult writers

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) What: A gathering place for people with a passion to weave fiction and non-fiction stories, write poetry and plays and string words together in a variety of other formats. Where: Ottawa, Ont. Who: Adult writers

OUTwrites Queer Writing Collective What: queer-positive, sexually diverse group for all levels Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: General public

Sudbury Writers' Guild What: Community-based writing group for all levels and genres Where: Sudbury, Ont. Who: General public

Toronto Public Library What: Various groups and workshops focused on a variety of genres, including memoir, fiction and poetry. Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: General public

Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers What: Group group for science fiction and fantasy writers Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: General public

Toronto Writers Collective What: Free writing workshops for underserved communities Where: Toronto, Ont. Who: Adult writers

Writers' Community of Durham Region What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Durham region Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

Writer's Community of York Region What: A collective of local authors, poets and industry professionals who endeavour to build a supportive and encouraging framework for writers and their craft. Where: All communities and localities within York Region. Who: WCYR members and registered members of the general public.

Shut-up & Write/Tais-toi et écris Montréal What: Community of writers who share their work, in any genre. Where: Montreal, Que. Who: General public

Quebec Writers' Federation What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Montreal, Que. Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

New Brunswick

Writers' Federation of New Brunswick What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: New Brunswick Who: Members

Prince Edward Island

PEI Writers' Guild What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: P.E.I. Who: Workshops are open to members and the general public

Nova Scotia

Evergreen Writers Group What: Creative writing group comprised of poets, short story writers, novelists, and playwrights Where: Dartmouth, N.S. Who: General public

Word Nerds Teen Writing Group What: Teen-oriented writing group Where: Colchester-East Hants, N.S. Who: Teen writers

Halifax Public Library Writers' Circle What: Weekly meetings for support and inspiration at various library branches Where: Bedford, N.S. ​Who: Adult writers

Yarmouth Write Away Group What: Monthly writing group that welcomes all genres. Where: Yarmouth, N.S. Who: General public

Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Nova Scotia Who: Members

Newfoundland & Labrador

Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland & Labrador What: Professional organization that offers development and workshops for all genres Where: Newfoundland & Labrador Who: Members

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• A guide to writing prizes for Canadians
• A guide to Canadian literary magazines and journals open to submissions

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1 Best Creative Writing Classes in Montreal

Showing 1 courses that match your search.

Writing Comic Poetry: Seriously?!

Quebec Writers' Federation

Can a poem be funny? Can we balance the light and the dark, find hilarity in a haiku? What is the value of play in creation? In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to explore the place of humor in their work, through guided readings, discussions, and exercises.

Website: https://qwf.org/product/writing-comic-poetry-seriously/

Categories: Comedy and Poetry

Start date:

March, 2024

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Montreal

Great! By deciding to take a creative writing class in Montreal, you’ve taken a huge step towards becoming a better writer.

This directory of the best writing courses in Montreal is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Montreal? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Montreal for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Writers Collective of Canada (WCC) is a charitable organization that inspires exploratory writing in community to empower every voice, celebrate every story, and change the world.

Our unique exploratory writing workshop method empowers the authentic voices of one and all, including traditionally underserved populations and underheard individuals nationwide.

By writing I rescue myself under all sorts of conditions.

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Find out how to join the WCC in its mission – whether you are an individual, organization, business, or agency.

Sign up to stay up-to-date on the latest workshops, news, and opportunities at WCC via our email list.

Creative writing workshops events in Montreal, Canada

Creative Writing Workshop

Tue, Mar 12, 6:30 PM

Bibliothèque publique de Dollard-des-Ormeaux

Intention candle workshop

Fri, Apr 5, 6:00 PM

4000 Saint Ambroise Street, Montreal, QC, Canada

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Rimouski, PE

Fri, Apr 26, 9:00 AM + 16 more

Regus Business Centre

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Montréal-Nord, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Chambly, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Val-d’Or, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Longueuil, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Sainte-Thérèse, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Dorval, PE

Business Writing 1 Day Training in Montreal

Wed, Apr 10, 9:00 AM + 8 more

For venue details reach us at: [email protected]

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Côte-Saint-Luc, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Montreal, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Lachine, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Châteauguay, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Port-Cartier, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Chibougamau, PE

Build Your Own Scrum (BYOS)

Tomorrow at 1:00 PM + 22 more

Agile Lounge inside Crew Collective

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Laval, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Saint-Eustache, PE

Business Case Writing Certification Training in Beloeil, PE

Things to do around montreal.

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Looking for a creative outlet?

We offer curious learners the opportunity to expand your horizons.

  Indulge in a full spectrum of offerings – fine art, creative writing, music, history, science, personal development, and more. Led by expert instructors and featuring collaborations with Montreal’s leading cultural organizations, our courses are designed to inspire you while also providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Expand your horizons. Engage with your community. Follow your curiosity. Courses offered by the McGill Writing Centre give you the chance to connect with like-minded learners and bring your imagination to life.

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Creative Writing (BA)

Program overview Program structure Admission criteria After your degree

Why study Creative Writing?

Our Creative Writing program, one of the first of its kind in Canada, immerses you in every aspect of the writing life, from the development of ideas to the publication of finished works. As a Creative Writing student, you’ll learn to approach literature from a writer’s point of view as you develop your own craft under the guidance of published writers and fellow students.

Whether it’s through prose, poetry, or drama, our workshops help you find your voice and your subject. Creative writing students also have the opportunity to supplement their regular courses with master classes conducted by internationally renowned writers during the Writers Read at Concordia series. Concordia has hosted writers such as Julian Barnes, Dionne Brand, CAConrad, Roxane Gay, Renee Gladman, Jorie Graham, Ben Lerner, Daniel David Moses, Fred Moten, Claudia Rankine, George Saunders, A.E. Stallings, and Colm Tóibín.

Montreal’s vibrant English-language literary scene offers a showcase for the work of student writers as well as published authors. The skills acquired in our Creative Writing program can help prepare you for a professional life as a writer, editor, or publisher in print or in electronic media. The Honours in English and Creative Writing is a gateway to graduate study in literature or to further study in creative writing.

Program highlights

• Small class sizes enable students to workshop their writing as a group
• Opportunities to develop your writing across numerous genres

Special funding for out-of-province students

Up to  $4000  for undergraduate programs.

Program structure

A Bachelor of Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background .

Program options

• Honours in English and Creative Writing (66 credits)*
• Major in Creative Writing (42 credits)
• Minor in Creative Writing (24 credits)

*Honours is a highly concentrated program, ideal for students planning to continue to graduate studies. If you are interested in Honours, speak with your program advisor in your first year of study at Concordia. Students applying to the University are able to apply to the major or specialization.

United States students : A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.

Admission criteria

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements.

• Additional information for CEGEP applicants
• ACT or SAT is NOT required 
• Canadian curricula course requirements
• Accepted international qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma:  26
• Baccalauréat français:  11
• A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
• AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
• BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
• Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
• University Transfers (internal/external):  C

Additional requirements for admission

• Letter of Intent

English proficiency Some applicants may be required to write an English language proficiency test with the following minimum scores:

• TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) – a minimum score of 100 with 22 in the writing component
• IELTS – 7.0 overall with a 6.5 in the writing component
• DET score of 120 and above with no subscore under 90

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

Application deadlines

It’s not too late to apply.

Most undergraduate programs are still accepting applications for fall 2024.

March 1 is the deadline to apply for fall term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by February 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

November 1 is the deadline to apply for winter term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by September 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

Not all programs are available for winter term entry. Please check program availability for the term, before you start your application.

We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.

After your degree

Graduates of the program have the knowledge and skill for any career that values critical thinking and superior communication skills, including a professional life as a writer, editor or publisher. You will also be prepared to undertake graduate studies in either English or Creative Writing.

Many graduates have fulfilling writing careers.

Student story

Major in Creative Writing Minor in Professional Writing

How Concordia’s creative writing program helped Jade Adams find her own path.

Other programs of interest

English and creative writing (ba) honours.

Immerse yourself in the writing life – and develop a cultural vocabulary – by looking at the human condition through many literary modes, while studying works which include aspects of psychology, history, and philosophy.

Department of English

Faculty of Arts & Science

English Literature (BA) Major Minor Honours Specialization

Immerse yourself in the words of past poets or contemporary thinkers. With every turn of the page you have the opportunity to imagine and reflect on lives and worlds different from your own experience, and challenge your assumptions about the meaning of morality and the world from new and unanticipated perspectives.

English and History (BA) Specialization

Take on the narrative of the human story, through analysis and the re-interpretation of historical events.

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