Manuscript consultations

Manuscript consultations with our Canadian Writer-in-Residence are free and open to the public.

Writers from across Canada are welcome to submit; however, priority is given to writers located in the Calgary area.

We welcome submissions of work at any stage. A manuscript is required. 

You can request a consultation in order to:

• receive guidance and edits on your written work,
• discuss your ideas, or
• receive advice pertaining to writing and publishing in Canada.

How to submit your manuscript

Please fill out the form below to submit your manuscript to 2024-25 Writer-in-Residence Danny Ramadan.

• Due to high demand for consultations with our writers-in-residence, you are entitled to one individual consultation per academic year.

Manuscript specifications

Genre

• Fiction
  • All sub-genres from literary fiction to sci-fi fantasy, and anything in between
  • Excluding fan-fiction
• Non-fiction
  • All forms, including lyrical, personal essays and investigative journalism
  • Excluding biography work
• Writing for children
  • Writing for all age groups, including picture books, middle-grade and YA
  • No limitations

Length and formatting

• Fiction, non-fiction, middle grade and YA: 
  • No more than 5000 words. This can be short fiction or the first chapter in a novel.
• Early reader chapter books or picture books
  • No more than 2000 words. 
• Please submit your work double-spaced pages in 12-point font with standard margins.

Restrictions

• Danny does not accept poetry, as he is not an expert on the genre, and does not write within it

Lead time

• Please note once your manuscript excerpt is submitted, Danny will read and review the manuscript and then provide a full written response. 
• Please allow a minimum of two weeks, dependent on request volume. 
• After you have received Danny's full written response, if you wish to further consult with Danny about your work based on his feedback please contact us at cdwp@ucalgary.ca to book a follow-up online consultation appointment. 

Consultation details

For those who would like to meet with Danny following receipt of his feedback.

Office hours

• Tuesdays: 1 - 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Consultation format: Online

One-on-one consultations are available via Zoom. 

• Due to high demand for consultations with our writers-in-residence, you are entitled to one individual consultation per academic year.

Accessibility

Zoom’s auto-captions are enabled. You are welcome to retain a copy of the live transcript.

Digital security and online safety

Zoom meetings will not be video recorded and will remain private. We ask that you extend the same courtesy and refrain from taking audio recordings, screen shots, or video recordings during consultations. 

Content advisory

We work to create a safe and supportive environment for all voices and do not accept submissions that contain racist, xenophobic, misogynist, and/or homophobic content.

The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program retains the right to decline a consultation request at its discretion.