Carol Shields Writer-in-Residence Program
The 2024 Carol Shields Distinguished Lecture with Francesca Ekwuyasi moderated by Lindsay Wong
Francesca Ekwuyasi Named as 2024 Carol Shields Writer-in-Residence
Ekwuyasi is a learner, writer, and multidisciplinary artist from Lagos, Nigeria. Her debut novel, Butter Honey Pig Bread, was awarded the 2022 Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers. It was longlisted and shortlisted for numerous other awards, including the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the 2021 Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, and the 2022 Dublin Literary Award. Forthcoming is Curious Sounds: A Dialogue in Three Movements, an experimental non-fiction collaboration with Roger Mooking.
Emerging writers, students, and community members are encouraged to reach out to ekwuyasi at f.ekwuyasi@uwinnipeg.ca for a free consultation about their writing during her residency.
Francesca Ekwuyasi Reading and Q&A Scheduled for February 8, Register via Link
Ekwuyasi will do a Reading on Zoom on Thursday, February 8 at 7.00pm CDT. The Reading will be followed by a Q&A. To RSVP to this reading, please follow this link.
Francesca Ekwuyasi Carol Shields Memorial Lecture Scheduled for February 29, Register via Link
Ekwuyasi will deliver the Carol Shields Memorial Lecture on Zoom on Thursday, February 29 at 7.00pm CDT. To RSVP to this reading, please follow this link.
Book a Writing Consultation with Francesca Ekwuyasi
During her residency, Ekwuyasi will be available for consultations with University of Winnipeg students and community members. If you wish to book a writing consultation, please email Ekwuyasi directly at f.ekwuyasi@uwinnipeg.ca.
UWinnipeg students will be given priority for these meetings and local writers will be included as scheduling permits.
Ekwuyasi will accept manuscripts for consultations 5-8 pages in length in any creative writing genre. Please contact her directly to set up a consultation date and time.
About The Carol Shields Writer-in-Residence Program
The Carol Shields Writer-in-Residence Program at the University of Winnipeg was made possible by a generous donation from the Shields family. The program’s name honours the memory of Carol Shields, Pulitzer-prize winning novelist and Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg from 1996 to 2000. At Convocations, our students and their families were privileged to hear her wise and beautifully-crafted addresses to the graduands. Carol was also a generous mentor to emerging writers, so this program is a fitting tribute to her. As former UW President Dr. Lloyd Axworthy has said, "Carol was enormously committed to cultivating young writers. Through the thoughtfulness and generosity that the Shields family has shown to the University, opportunities have been created for many more people and emerging writers to discover their creative voices." (photo courtesy of the family).
Past Carol Shields Writers-in-Residence:
2023 Zoe Whittall
2022 Jordan Scott
2020 GMB Chomichuk
2019 Garry Thomas Morse
2018 Méira Cook
2017 Katherena Vermette
2016 Rick Chafe
2015 Jennifer Still
2014 Chandra Mayor
2013 Gregory Scofield
2012 Debbie Paterson
2011 Ivan Coyote
2010 David Bergen
2009 Maria Campbell
2008 John Weier
2007 Sandra Birdsell
2006 Margaret Sweatman
Friends of Carol Shields Celebrate Writer in Residence Program
On November 22, 2012, the English Department, in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg Foundation, held a Reception for the Friends of Carol Shields Writer-in-Residence Program. Carol was so well-loved and had touched so many, the evening was a great success with over fifty guests making their way to Convocation Hall on the first snowy Winnipeg night of the season. Thank you to all who attended for sharing stories about Carol as well as plans for the future of the Residency.
If you would like to become a Friend of the Program by making a donation please click here.