Membership

Membership Overview

The Quebec Writers’ Federation consists of a diverse group of individuals who are writing, reading, and passionate about English-language literature in Quebec. The diversity of our membership is what makes the QWF community vital, and we’re always open to new additions. Whatever your experience as a writer, you will always find a warm welcome and valuable opportunities to share with your peers.

Become a member

Who Should Join?

Professional, General, and Student members receive our monthly e-newsletter with details of opportunities, submissions, contests, residencies, conferences, workshops and more, across Quebec, Canada, and the world. There are also particular development opportunities for writers at all levels:

  • Aspiring writers: For those who are just starting to explore creative writing – from short fiction to memoir, poetry to genre to screenwriting to getting that novel underway, QWF has twice-yearly workshop series to suit everyone. The annual CBC/QWF Writer-in-Residence opportunity is open to all members, and you don’t need to have a publishing history. Shut Up & Write! sessions are free and open to all members looking to find some dedicated quiet writing time. If you’re chosen for the QWF Mentorship program, you’ll have a rare opportunity for free one-on-one professional support, and if you’re not, you can always hire a mentor: our Hire-A-Writer directory provides a curated list of writers who may be engaged for tailored, individual support. Our regular Member Meetups are open to all, and provide the chance to chat informally with fellow writers.
  • Emerging, mid-career, and established writers: QWF offers plenty of opportunities for published writers at all levels: the chance to be chosen as a Writer-In-Residence or a Mentor, or to be featured in the Hire-A-Writer directory. You can further your professional development by taking a workshop, or you can apply to lead one! Attend an information session to learn how to pitch a magazine editor or write a better grant application. Polish your skills or experiment with a new genre in a master class. We’ll also keep you well informed of outside opportunities, like writing residencies, contest deadlines, and application periods for programs like Writers in CEGEPs.
  • Students: Membership for full-time students is just $25 for a year. This gives a 50% discount on any QWF workshop, access to our free Shut Up & Write! sessions, and the chance to meet and engage with published, professional writers across all genres at our regular Member Meetups.
  • Anyone who loves literature… join! Take a workshop, come to a Member Meetup, host a literary dinner or tea, and party with us at our annual literary awards Gala. Connect with and support English-language literature in Quebec!

QWF Membership Benefits

Professional, General, and Student members receive the following exclusive benefits:

  • QWF Members’ Newsletter – A monthly e-newsletter listing calls for submissions, contests, literary events, work opportunities, and miscellaneous notices—delivered to your inbox the first Friday of every month. Got a recent publication, achievement, or other news? Send it to us for inclusion in the newsletter’s Member News section.
  • QWF Member Meetups and Events – Invitations to QWF Meetups over the year, from holiday schmoozers and book giveaways to cocktails at the Blue Met, professional-development opportunities, and the annual QWF family-friendly picnic.
  • Advance Notice of Workshops and Opportunities – Members get early notice to register for our writing workshops, as well as exclusive notice about members-only events and opportunities.
  • Shut Up & Write! with QWF – Members get exclusive access to our weekly Shut Up & Write! writing sessions. In-person sessions are held every other Friday, and virtual sessions are held every other Saturday morning in between. Learn more about Shut Up & Write! with QWF.
  • Participation in the Annual General Meeting – Members can attend the QWF Annual General Meeting, vote on the proposed annual budget and incoming board of directors, and run to become a board member.
  • Discounts at bookstores, theatres, literary organizations, and more. Read below for full details.

QWF Membership Discounts

The following discounts are available to Professional, General, and Student members upon presentation of a valid membership card:

  • Arc Poetry Magazine – 10% discount on subscriptions (contact QWF office for coupon code)
  • Argo Bookshop (1915 Ste-Catherine St. W.) – 10% discount on the purchase of regularly priced books.
  • Atwater Library & Computer Centre – $20 membership fee (reduced from $35). Membership conveys book-borrowing privileges & discounts for hourly computer use & computer courses.
  • Centaur Theatre – $30 tickets. When reserving tickets by phone, members must identify themselves as such. A valid card must be presented at the Box Office at the time of purchase.
  • Confabulation – 10% discount on tickets (contact QWF office for coupon code)
  • De Stiil Booksellers (351 Duluth Ave. E.) – 10% discount on regularly priced books.
  • Editors Canada/Editors Quebec – Partner organization members rate to all activities whenever such a rate is available. For seminars, it means a $30 rebate on the non-members rate.
  • Encore Books and Records (5670 Sherbrooke St. W.) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books.
  • L’Euguelionne (1426 Beaudry St.) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books.
  • Librairie Anémones (216 Principale St., Granby) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books.
  • Librairie Bertrand (430 Saint-Pierre St.) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books.
  • Librairie Drawn & Quarterly (211 Bernard W.) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books (except magazines or consignment).
  • Librairie Résonance (40 Rue Beaubien E) – 10% discount on all regularly priced books.
  • Maisonneuve Magazine – One-year (four issues) for $15.00 or two-years for $25.00. To take advantage of these offers, QWF members must mail their request & payment along with the code G8A2PQWF to the following address: Maisonneuve, PO BOX 819, STN Main, Markham ON, L3P 8L3.
  • Morrin Centre (44 Chau. des Écossais, Quebec City) – Free individual day pass.
  • Paragraphe Bookstore (2220 McGill College Ave) – 10% discount on most books in the store. Some exceptions apply. Check with the QWF office for details.
  • PEN Canada – Membership price of $40 (usual cost is $75). By becoming a member, you will join a global community of writers, editors, & translators that are fighting censorship & promoting literature. Please contact the QWF office to take advantage of this discount.
  • Pulp Books (3952 Wellington St.) – 10% discount on regularly priced books.
  • Rosemary’s House – QWF members can include the code QWF x RH in their application to receive priority application review and a 250-euro credit toward a successful application.
  • QWF Writing Workshops – Advance notice and discounted prices.
  • The Segal Centre for Performing Arts – 15% discount on ONE regular ticket in advance. Arts Industry Discount on select Monday nights: $20 tickets at the door (subject to availability).
  • Teesri Duniya Theatre – 20% discount on tickets (contact QWF office for coupon code)
  • The Throw! Poetry Collective – Offers QWF members $5 entry at the door ($5 off regular admission). The bilingual collective has an event on the first Sunday of every month & features an open mic.
  • Vallum Contemporary Poetry – 10% discount on all print publications (contact QWF office for coupon code)
  • The Words & Music Show – Members get $5 off the regular ticket price for the Words & Music Show, our quarterly cabaret show featuring literature, music, and everything in between.
  • yolk – 15% discount on print subscription (email themail@yolkliterary.ca with proof of membership to get the discount code)

Your QWF Membership Card

Only Professional, General, and Student Members receive a membership card. Friends of QWF do not.

A digital version of your QWF Membership Card would have been sent to your email when you joined or last renewed your membership. You can print or take a screenshot of this card as proof of your membership.

If you can’t find your membership card, try searching your emails for the subject line “Your Quebec Writers’ Federation has been received.” If you need further help retrieving your card, contact John Wickham, Communications Officer, at john@qwf.org.

If you would like a physical membership card, book an appointment with one of us during one of our Office Hours (Tuesday to Thursday, 11 am-4 pm).

Pay-What-You-Can Policy

QWF acknowledges that many may not be in a position to pay the full amount for QWF membership. You may become a member or renew your membership by paying what you can, from $0 to the full $60 for general and professional memberships or the full $25 for student membership. Learn more.