2013 Writer in Residence
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The Edmonton Public Library's Writer in Residence program provides services to aspiring and established writers in the Edmonton area including individual manuscript consultations, public readings and talks, information on the publishing process and connections to the writing community.
The Writer in Residence (WiR) also hosts a monthly Writers' Corner at various EPL branches. These sessions bring together writers of all abilities to talk about their writing, listen to guest speakers and provide support and encouragement to each other.
EPL is extremely excited to welcome Omar Mouallem as our 2013 Metro Edmonton Writer in Residence!
All about Omar
Omar Mouallem is a creative nonfiction writer with a magazine expertise. He’s contributed to some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, enRoute and Eighteen Bridges, for which his story about hijabs, "Under the Veil," won awards from the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and the Professional Writers Association of Canada, as well as a National Magazine Awards nomination.
In 2013, he was named Northlands Emerging Artist of the Year at the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts.
The 27-year-old studied screenwriting and film production at Vancouver Film School and Langara College. His filmic influences are apparent in his descriptive, scenic writing style but it was also film that introduced him to narrative journalism.
Since starting as a film critic he’s become a generalist writing features, arts reviews, profiles and personal essays on any number of topics. From food to fashion, travel to business, his stories have found homes in VICE, Alberta Venture, Westworld Alberta, Huffington Post andThe South China Morning Post.
From 2008 to 2012, Omar was an associate editor at Avenue magazine, where the newly transplanted Edmontonian discovered the anatomy of the city through storytelling. It was during this tenure spent writing, editing, fact-checking and managing the magazine’s digital presence, that he fell in love with Edmonton and its changing identity.
Though he was born and raised in small Northern Alberta towns, he’s downtown to the bone and thrilled to have an office across from Churchill Square, where he'll be Monday to Friday to mentor writers and help develop their ideas and manuscripts by appointment.
He doesn’t live far away, in a colourful condo with his wife, Janae, and two cats, Darwin and Orwell. A steadfast ailurophile (one with a fondness for felines), he likes to point out that he authored the book Amazing Cats in 2008, long before cats were cool.
It surprises people to learn that Omar is also a rapper who performs under the moniker A.O.K., and in fact used the funds from the cat book to finance his first album. More surprisingly, his second album, Q Without U, was paired with a self-published children’s picture book of the same name and theme (love).
His hip hop background has introduced him to the inner-city community, where he’s mentored high-risk youth. He’s thrilled to continue this at his Stanley A. Milner Library office and at various Edmonton Public Library branches —and during the library's centennial year no less.
He also has plenty of public speaking and performance experience, including winning the 2012 “Slam Off”at Edmonton Story Slam, and presents storytelling workshops regularly at Edmonton’s public libraries. For a list of upcoming events facilitated by Omar, check out the events tab.
To follow his endeavours or book a meeting with him or invite him to a literary event, email him at omouallem@epl.ca, leave a message at 780.496.5999 or follow / tweet him at @omar_aok.
His office hours are Mon., Wed. and Fri. 12-6pm.
Event schedule
(sorted by date)
| What | Writing for the Senses
This seminar will ultimately explain how and why you should provide your reader with a well-rounded sensory experience. |
| When | May. 7, 7 pm |
| Where | Whitemud Crossing |
| Cost | Free |
| Register | Drop in - No registration required |
How do you write for the five senses and how do you use these techniques to forward the story? It's not enough to simply draw from the sounds, feelings and tastes around you — the real magic happens when your writing exposes a truth about your subject or environment.
| What | Youth Story Slam!
Imagine a stage where readers tell a compelling story before an audience and judges, and the person with the best tale wins. OK, now imagine a clock ticking down from five minutes. That's Story Slam. In this two-day event, writer-in-residence and 2012 and 2013 Story Slam champion Omar Mouallem will teach a youth the craft-- which is half literature and half performance art -- and invite them back the next day for a public presentation of their stories and cash prizes. Edmonton Story Slam has been a staple of the local arts scene since 2008 but it's never before been opened to youth. This special collaboration marks the first time teenagers have been given the stage to tell the stories that matter to them. |
| When | Workshopping stories (teens only): Saturday, May. 18, 1:30-3:30 pm Competition (open to public): Sunday, May. 19, 1:30-3:30 pm |
| Where | Strathcona Branch |
| Cost | Free |
| Register | Drop in without registration, however, two-day commitment of participants is required. |
What is Story Slam?| What | Writers' Corner with Travel Writers Curtis Gillespie and Judy SchultzWhat to take with you and what to leave behind aren’t just the pressing questions of travelling but travel writing, too. How do you capture the essence of place? How do you write about a place that’s been covered a hundred times before and make it fresh? How do you illustrate culture and discovery in words? Ask travel writers Curtis Gillespie and Judy Schultz.
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| When | May 26th, 2:30 pm |
| Where | Stanley Milner Library |
| Cost | Free |
| Register | Drop in - No registration required |
A Governor General's Award finalist and former Edmonton Journal travel editor, Judy Schultz divides her time between Canada and New Zealand. Her work has been published in Canada, Germany, England and the US, and her last book, Freddy's War, won the City of Edmonton book prize for 2012. 
The author of four books, including Almost There: The Family Vacation, Then and Now, Curtis Gillespie has filled the pages of EnRoute, Westworld and other travel publications with stories from China to Colombia. He has won numerous awards for his fiction and non-fiction and is the editor and co-founder of Eighteen Bridges magazine.| What | Pitch Perfect
Join WiR Omar Mouallem, former associate editor of Avenue and a National Magazine Awards finalist, for a seminar will get you one step closer to your favourite magazine. |
| When | June 12, 7 pm |
| Where | Riverbend Banch |
| Cost | Free |
| Register | Drop in - No registration required |
Entering the magazine industry starts with “pitching” editors. This may sound simple – and it is, if you take the time to understand the unwritten commandments of pitching and the science behind it. Know the audience and study the “book” are just a few, but how does one distil a thoughtful, lasting story into a couple of tight paragraphs that make the editor clamor for more.
| What | Writers' Corner with Mystery Novelists Janice MacDonald and Wayne ArthursonAre you an aspiring mystery writer, or maybe just a crime book junkie? Learn more about the craft you love from two of Canada’s best in the genre, Janice MacDonald and Wayne Arthurson.
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| When | June 30th, 1:30 pm |
| Where | Stanley Milner Library |
| Cost | Free |
| Register | Drop in - No registration required |
Latest news
Writing For the Senses: Why is It Important?
Have you ever read a piece of nonfiction – a newspaper article, blog or magazine story – that felt dry?
Dry as a dish-scrubber, dry as grandma’s turkey, dry as an Edmonton winter? It’s likely because the writer wasn’t playing to your senses — your fingertips, nostrils, ears, tongue and especially eyes.
On Tues., May 7 at EPL Whitemud Crossing, I’ll take you through the importance of writing for the senses, as well as how to do it well. Nobody likes a laundry list of details, but if you can find truths and metaphors in those details it only enriches the story. This event will be especially valuable to anyone aspiring to do feature writing. (The event is free, requires no registration and begins at 7 pm). [continue reading]
Spoken Word Poetry: ‘The performance becomes the final Amen.’
Spoken word poetry takes the art form back to its origins as oral storytelling with a dose of performance art. But when you turn it into a competition and pin poets against each other, slam poetry ensues.
On April 28 at 1:15 pm, the EPL and Edmonton Poetry Festival present an intimate conversation on the craft with members of the Breath in Poetry collective, a homegrown team of spoken word poets and national slam champions. The event is right before the closing event for Poetry Festival, a youth reading with spoken word poet Mary Pinkoski.
To whet your appetite, I asked BIP members and next week’s guests Ahmed Ali (also known as Knowmadic) and Titilope Sonuga answered a few questions about the art form. [continue reading]
New date for the Travel Writing Writers Corner
After some delay, the cancelled March 31st Writers' Corner has been rescheduled for May 26th, 2:30 pm at the Stanley Milner Library. Please join me, Curtis Gillespie and Judy Schultz for a casual and informative discussion about travel writing.
Travel Writing Writers' Corner Postponed
Due to a scheduling mishap, the March 31 Writers' Corner with Curtis Gillespie and Judy Schultz has been postponed until further notice. I 'm very sorry.
Please check back or email me to find out when it's rescheduled.
Are you thinking of starting a blog?
Why not? It’s a great way to practise writing, dig deeper into topics, contribute to public conversations, process your thinking and build an audience and/or personal brand. [Continue reading]
The 7 Deadly Sins of Bad Writing
Clichés, adverbs, flowery language and other deviants get sent to the Stanley Milner Library’s basement for one last breath before we banish them forever. Bring your laptops, tablets and notebooks for a fun workshop about common writing and storytelling mistakes.
Here’s a preview of the seven sins. Come to the free workshop to find out how we’re getting rid of them (Feb. 7, Centennial Room, Stanley Milner Library, 7 pm). I’m seeking examples of bad writing that are your own (don’t be ashamed, I’ll be showing some of my sillies, too) or have been published OUTSIDE of Edmonton. Email them to mailto: omouallem@epl.ca. [continue reading]
Slam Sessions: There’s a Story Slam Near You
We all have a story to tell. Whether you learned it first hand, had it told to you or made it up, there’s at least one story in your back pocket right now. And should you be asked for one it would easy enough to retell it, right?
Well what if you only had five minutes, and had to tell it on stage before a crowd of people, some of them with whiteboards and markers, scoring you with like you’re the Jamie Salé of storytelling. Oh, and nine other people are competing. Maybe 11. Depends on the day. [continue reading]
I run a seminar called Digital Tools For Writers, in which I basically play with toys before a crowd. It’s rich.
Of course my goal isn’t just to show off cool gadgets and software to freelance writers, but to convince them that they make our jobs so much easier and to get them to appreciate the golden age of technology in which we live. [continue reading]
Words in 3 Dimensions — the ultimate publishing conference
Whether you’re a writer, editor or publisher, aspiring or professional, the fine folks from Get Publishing, the Writers’ Guild of Alberta and the Editors’ Association of Canada have got the best deal in town.
Words in 3 Dimensions is three conferences in one. Taking place at MacEwan University on May 24 to 26, 2013, there are over 20 events, from talks on creative nonfiction and memoirs to copyright and contracts, and not to mention a public conversation between author Alistair MacLeod and Shelagh Rogers, the host of CBC’s The Next Chapter. [continue reading]
Lightning speed Q&A with Richard Van Camp
Writer Richard Van Camp is known for his fast-paced stories that funnel complicated characters through often disturbing trials so quickly you’re catching your breath on the last page.
It made sense then to give him only a few words to answer big questions about his writing process. Here’s a small glimpse inside his Mill Creek office. [Continue reading]
Due to the large amount of one-on-one mentoring requests, I'm changing my office hours to be consistent and accessible to drop-ins.
Previously, I was taking meetings by appointment, however, you can now find me at the Stanley Milner Library (second floor) from 12-6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. However, it's still best to email or call ahead (780.496.5999), to ensure I'm not out with another client and because the nature of my work often takes me out of the office.
“Did He Just Call Books ‘Clutter?’” (I Did. And Here’s Why.)
Five days into my residency, I didn’t expect that I’d be getting my feet wet by sticking them in my mouth. But that’s what happened.
Yes, I called books “clutter” in the Edmonton Journal last week and deserved to be razzed for it, just as the Mighty Myrna Kostash did a second ago when we collided in the Stanley Milner library elevator. “It’s the writer in residence,” she quipped to the guy beside me, “the one that called books ‘clutter.’” [continue reading]
Frequently asked questions
1. Do you give feedback on anyone’s writing? Do I have to be published?
2. How do I send something to you?
3. Do we have to talk in person about my work?
4. Do I have to give you writing? Can I just come by to talk about semi-colons or fonts?
5. My writing is too awful to show you. Can I come just to talk about writing?
6. What kind of feedback will you give me?
7. Will you help me get published?
8. Should I send my whole novel?
9. When should I come to see you?
1. Do you give feedback on anyone’s writing? Do I have to be published?
Yes, my job is to give feedback on creative writing in all genres. New, unpublished writers are especially welcome to send material.
2. How do I send something to you?
You can contact me at writerinresidence@epl.ca. Or, you can leave your writing in an envelope at the main desk of the Stanley A. Milner Library.
3. Do we have to talk in person about my work?
No. If you prefer, I can give you feedback on-line or by phone.
4. Do I have to give you writing? Can I just come by to talk about semi-colons or fonts?
By all means, come by to chat or make an appointment. No, you do not have to bring writing!
5. My writing is too awful to show you. Can I come just to talk about writing?
Sure, you can come to talk about any aspect of writing. The conversation will be much more relevant to YOUR writing, though, if we can talk about that. Trust me: first drafts are always dreadful. It’s terribly embarrassing to hand them over, but if you’re stuck—do it! (I’m guessing you’re a tad overcritical.)
6. What kind of feedback will you give me?
What kind would you like? If you would like me to focus on, say, character development, I will. Or, if you want a more general critique, that’s fine too. We’ll talk about what will be most helpful for you.
7. Will you help me get published?
I’ll be happy to share what I know about the publishing process, but, no, connecting you to a publisher is not part of my role.
8. Should I send my whole novel?
No! I won’t have time to read nearly all of it. Here are my submission guidelines:
- Fiction, non-fiction, scripts: maximum of 10 double-spaced pages
- Poetry: 5 short (one-page) poems
9. When should I come to see you?
The best thing to do is email me at writerinresidence@epl.ca to set up an appointment. My office hours will be posted here after the new year. You’re welcome to drop by then, but I might be busy with other writers.
Get in touch with me
You can email Omar at writerinresidence@epl.ca or phone him at 780.496.5999.
His office hours are 12-6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Drop-ins are accepted, however, it’s best to email or call ahead to ensure he's not out with another client.
Omar Mouallem / Writer in Residence
c/o Stanley A. Milner Library
7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB T5J 2V4
Submission Guidelines:
- Fiction, non-fiction, scripts: maximum of 10 double-spaced pages
- Poetry: 5 short (one-page) poems
Check out Omar's website - www.assaultofknowledge.com
Follow Omar on Twitter at @omar_aok
You are seeing double!
This year we are pleased to be working with our partners in the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries on a regional program that will offer not one, but two Writers in Residence working throughout Edmonton and area.
EPL along with the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library, St. Albert Public Library and Strathcona County Library welcome Omar Mouallem and Natasha Deen as the 2013 Regional Writers in Residence.
Omar will be the Metro Edmonton Writer in Residence, based at the Stanley A. Milner Library, and will dedicate his time to working with Edmonton’s writing community. Natasha, meanwhile, will split her time between the St. Albert Public Library (4 months), the Strathcona County Library (4 months), and the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library (2 months).
Find out more about Natasha Deen at http://www.natashadeen.com/
Read the official news release
20 Questions with Omar and Natasha
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| The 2013 regional Writers in Residence Natasha Deen, left, and Omar Mouallem, right, were announced at an Edmonton Public Library workshop by outgoing WIR Jocelyn Brown, middle. Photo: Metro News / Heather McIntyre |
