The Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program, at the University of Calgary, strives to advance the careers of Canadian writers, invigorate the Calgary writing community, and enhance the activities of the Faculty of Humanities[1] and the Department of English[2]. The Program achieves its objectives through two annual residency programs: one for an emerging Canadian writer, and one for distinguished writers of international stature.

While in Calgary, these writers divide their time between writing and community activities. Community activities include individual manuscript consultations and providing advice to writing local writers, conducting writing workshops, giving public readings, and meeting with school groups.^[1]

[edit] History

The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Humanities established the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program in 1993 when Calgary philanthropists Allan Markin and Jackie Flanagan gave a $1.3 million donation to the University. The endowment has now grown to nearly $2.5 million. ^[2]

Since its inception in 1993, the Program has brought to Calgary two Nobel Laureates, Derek Walcott and Wole Soyinka, and such literary luminaries as Oliver Sacks, Timothy Findley, Thomas King, Ursula K. Le Guin, Alberto Manguel, and Michael Ondaatje, among others.^[1]

==Complete List of Writers-In-Residence==^[3]

2008 - 2009 Charlotte Gill 2007—2008 Sina Queyras 2006—2007 Jaspreet Singh 2005—2006 Melanie Little 2004—2005 Natalee Caple 2003—2004 Robert Finley 2002—2003 Suzette Mayr 2001—2002 Eden Robinson 2000—2001 Laura Robinson 1999—2000 Richard Sanger 1998—1999 Peter Oliva 1997—1998 Larissa Lai 1996—1997 Rosemary Nixon 1995—1996 Richard Harrison 1994—1995 Ven Begamudré

==Complete List of Distinguished Visiting Writers==^[4]

2007 Daphne Marlatt, Derek Walcott 2006 Frederick Busch Tribute[5] 2005 Rudy Wiebe, Oliver Sacks 2004 Alistair MacLeod 2003 Anita Rau Badami, Dionne Brand, Louis de Bernières 2002 Robert Kroetsch, Wole Soyinka 2001 Nicole Brossard, Timothy Findley 2000 Gary Burns, Deepa Mehta, Erin Mouré, Paul Quarrington, Anne Wheeler 1999 Emma Donoghue, Tony Kushner 1998 Dionne Brand, Louise Halfe, Alberto Manguel, Adrienne Rich 1997 Anita Rau Badami, Rose Scollard 1996 Louis de Bernières, Ursula K. Le Guin, Steve McCaffery, D.M. Thomas 1995 Robin Blaser, Robert Creeley, Keri Hulme, Sir Laurens van der Post, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, 1994 David Albahari, Marilynn Dumont, Thomas King, Tom Raworth 1993 Michael Ondaatje

[edit] Notes and references