Science fiction writer in residence gig open at Toronto's wonderful Merril Collection

The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy has an opening for a science fiction writer in residence, paying $16,000 for four months' work at 14h/week. The work consists of "public readings, workshops, evaluation of submitted manuscripts, and one-on-one meetings with writers from the general public," with leftover time for your own projects.

My first experience with a real writer was when Judith Merril was the writer in residence at the Merril Collection (then called The Spaced Out Library). Judy read and critiqued my manuscripts and mentored and tutored me, and inspired me to be a writer. The collection is the largest public sf/f reference collection in the world -- you can get lost in the stacks for days.

There's one week left to apply for the position -- this is quite an opportunity!

Eligibility Criteria:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• Minimum of five novels or short story collections of science fiction, fantasy or horror, published by a professional publishing house

• Active in the writing profession

• Experience in teaching creative writing

• Intend to work on a new project, normally intended for book-length publication

PDF Link

[#1 posted by KidDork, January 16, 2009 3:14 PM]

I'd forgotten it used to be called 'The Spaced Out Library'. Awesome.

And this should be a lock for Robert J. Sawyer. The rest of us are too busy setting fire to our manuscripts to keep warm.

[#2 posted by Anonymous, January 16, 2009 6:09 PM]

Robert Sawyer was already writer in residence at the Merrill collection. I had the very good experience of having my sample of writing critiqued by him. It was fantastic. I recall him as very enthusiastic and articulate.
-timbot

[#3 posted by Glenn Hauman, January 17, 2009 3:47 AM]

Wonder if they count comics SF writers... I could think of a few who would qualify.

[#4 posted by Anonymous, January 17, 2009 5:48 AM]

In my last year of high school, I chanced on a collection of hers, and loved (almost) all of it! Then I found out she was nearby (I'm in Hamilton) and dreamed of the "Best Book Report Evar!" -- an interview with a living author!

She was a little suspicious at first, I found out why during the interview: a few years previous she had done little intros on episodes of Doctor Who for TVO (it had allowed them to claim "educational content" as was their mandate for the time slot) and had lost patience in dealing with people who only wanted to talk about that.

She was gruff but sweet, and I would kill Cory to have switched places with him! ;) After all, he is living the life I always wanted.

[#5 posted by KidDork, January 17, 2009 2:32 PM]

I remember Merrill's intros to Doctor Who on TVO. As a child, I always thought she hated the show, since she went to such great lengths to tell us just how stupid the science in it was.

[#6 posted by Anonymous, January 17, 2009 3:02 PM]

I am definitely not taking the job but I do want to take advantage of whoever takes this position...heh.

Seriously, the library is probaly one of the few reasons why I hesitate moving to another town.

[#7 posted by Anonymous, January 21, 2009 7:18 AM]

Dammit, one has to be Canadian (or perm. res.) to apply. What fun this might have been . . .