Diaspora Dialogues

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OPEN CALL FOR DD Fellowship for Women or Non-Binary Writers (40+)

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 About Us: 

Diaspora Dialogues (DD) supports diverse writers turn their craft into a career through mentorship, professional development and opportunities to publish and present their work. Our focus is on the development of both artist and audience, and on working toward redefining the “mainstream” in the arts sector, ensuring it is as diverse as the country itself. Further information: www.diasporadialogues.com

Fellowship Program:

Diaspora Dialogues invites submissions from women and/or Non-Binary Writers aged 40 and above who currently have a full or near-full draft of a manuscript. We accept novels, short story collections, creative non-fiction/memoir, works intended for young adults and poetry. Complete or near complete means that the writer has up to 85,000 words or 300 double-spaced pages of prose; or up to 25 poems (50 pages maximum). Submissions will consist only of excerpts from these works (see guidelines below).

This will be a six-month program in which there will be literary mentorship, career support including professional development sessions, and public speaking and media training, and peer-to-peer networks.Diaspora Dialogues is committed to supporting a literature that is as diverse as Canada itself. Writers are encouraged to keep this mandate in mind, but addressing this theme directly is not essential in the submission.

Submission Guidelines

  • Work from which the excerpt is submitted must be in a full draft or near-full draft stage.
  • Excerpts submitted can be one chapter or one short story from the collection up to but not exceeding 5,000 words; poetry can include up to 10 poems but not exceed 15 pages.
  • Submissions must include a one-page description of the project
  • Submissions must include a short biography in paragraph form (no more than 250 words.)
  • The work must be original and not previously published.
  • Submissions must be in English.
  • Each writer may submit only one manuscript.
  • A completed submission form must be included.
  • Submissions will be accepted electronically.
  • Commentary/feedback is not available on submissions.

Eligibility

  • Writers must not have a previously published full-length manuscript, although appearances in magazines and/or anthologies are acceptable.
  • Writers must be 40 and above
  • Writers must identify as a woman or as non-binary.

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Please read all of the guidelines carefully before submitting. If you have questions, email: zalika@diasporadialogues.com 

UPCOMING EVENT: Celebrating New Asian Canadian Novels

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House of Anansi, Cormorant, and Flying Books (784 College St. Toronto ON) are thrilled to to host DD alumni and authors Jane Park (Inheritance) and Leslie Shimotakahara (The Breakwater) for a conversation and book signing.

FREE to attend, but RSVP required.

ABOUT INHERITANCE

A Korean Canadian woman returns to the prairies, where she revisits her childhood and confronts her haunting guilt. Inheritance explores the immigrant experience, the sacrifices made by both parents and children, and the way trauma is transferred to the next generation. As Anne completes her journey to the past, she emerges to finally define life on her own terms.

Jane Park is a second-generation Korean Canadian writer. She is a MacDowell Fellow, and was a participant in the Banff Centre’s Writing Studio, and Diaspora Dialogues. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, lived in New York City for over a decade, and now lives in Calgary, Alberta. Currently, she is pursuing an MFA at the University of British Columbia. Inheritance is her debut novel.

ABOUT THE BREAKWATER
A multigenerational saga about the long shadow of an unspeakable family secret, culminating in an overdue reunion between rivalrous brothers.  In this heartbreaking family story, two brothers, both old men not far from death, must at last confront long-buried family secrets — and their lingering effects on subsequent generations.

Leslie Shimotakahara is an award-winning author of three novels and a memoir, as well as numerous short fiction and essays. She won the Canada-Japan Literary Prize (2012) and has been shortlisted for the K.M. Hunter Artist Award. Her writing has appeared in the National Post, World Literature Today, and other anthologies and periodicals. She holds a PhD in English from Brown University, and lives in Toronto with her husband.

PAST EVENT: Poetry as Practice with Britta Badour

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March 25, 2026 | 12:30pm EST

All levels of experience welcome. Together we’ll review the work of Black-Canadian poets like Dionne Brand and Stedmond Pardy,  as we consider this question: How does making time for poetry also make time for mindfulness and well-being? 

In this affirmation-centered workshop, all prompts and exercises are merely suggestions you can engage with in a way that sparks your pen across the page. 

About the Presenter

Britta Badour, better known as Britta B. is an award-winning artist, public speaker, and poet living in Toronto.  Her debut poetry collection and audiobook, Wires that Sputter, was celebrated as a Trillium Book Award Finalist for Poetry and shortlisted for several other awards.  She’s currently serving as the Poet-in-Residence for Poems in Passage, responsible for the poems millions of people see on their daily TTC commute. Britta holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Guelph and teaches part-time at various schools and universities. 

ARCHIVED EVENT: How to Set Up Your Writing Practice with Matthew Dawkins

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March 13, 2026 | 12:30pm EST

In today’s attention economy, we’re made to believe there aren’t enough hours in the day for our craft. Or worse, that it’s not worth the effort. This workshop will dispel that myth, inviting you to reconnect with your artistic voice, redeem your art’s value, and show up for yourself on the page consistently.

Register here.

About the Presenter

Matthew is a Jamaican award-winning author and poet. His work explores subject matters including race, queerness, nationhood, and mental health. His work has been featured in Arc Poetry, Westwind Poetry, Pinhole Poetry, and more. Until We Break is his debut novel. 

Call For Submissions:The Carol Shields Prize Foundation Fellowship at Diaspora Dialogues

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Fellowship Program

Diaspora Dialogues and The Carol Shields Prize Foundation are delighted to announce the renewal of The Carol Shields Prize Foundation Fellowship at Diaspora Dialogues, a $10,000 opportunity for a woman or non-binary BIPOC writer who is a refugee or new immigrant to Canada.

We are deeply grateful to the M.A. Faris Foundation for supporting this Fellowship.

This stipend is intended to provide the opportunity for a writer to create in fiction or creative non-fiction, as free as possible from financial constraints. 

As part of this fellowship, and in alignment with Diaspora Dialogue’s role as a literary mentoring organization, Diaspora Dialogues and The Carol Shields Prize Foundation will provide the fellowship recipient with the support of a mentor to provide structured feedback. Additionally, the fellowship recipient will have access to DD’s suite of professional development training and networking events as well as chances to connect with fellow writers through our social networks of alumni and mentors.

The Carol Shields Prize Foundation Fellowship at Diaspora Dialogues is intended for those already committed to a serious writing practice, although it is not a requirement to finish a manuscript for publication during it. For writers who are nearer the beginning of their writing journey, DD runs short-form mentorship programs. 

Submission Guidelines

  • We welcome applications from either interested qualified writers or nominees. 
  • Applications should be sent to zalika@diasporadialogues.com by December 31, 2025.
  • Samples submitted can be one chapter from the novel or work of creative non-fiction, or one short story from the collection (up to but not exceeding 5,000 words). They must be in English.
  • Please include a one-page description of the work and a CV that includes full contact information.
  • Each writer may submit only one manuscript.
  • Commentary/feedback is not available on submissions.

Eligibility 

  • The work must be original and not previously published.
  • Works with AI-generated text in part or in whole will not be accepted. By submitting to the fellowship, the writer is confirming that their work is in compliance with this requirement.
  • Any woman or non-binary BIPOC writer who is a refugee or new immigrant to Canada (within 5 years) of any age may apply. 

The fellowship will begin in early 2026 and run for six months. The assigned mentor is at the discretion of Diaspora Dialogues. Read Q&As with previous recipients Sana’a Jaber and Ugochi Okoli to learn more about the program.

We look forward to reading your work!

Diaspora Dialogues Presents the 2025 Canadian-Caribbean Literary Showcase

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The Canadian-Caribbean Literary Showcase is a three-day celebration of Caribbean voices and their influence on Canadian literature, art, and culture. Over the course of the showcase, audiences are invited to experience a rich mix of readings, performances, conversations, and craft-centred sessions that highlight the depth and diversity of Caribbean storytelling.

From intimate masterclasses and mentorship opportunities to dynamic panels and artistic performances, the showcase brings together writers, poets, and cultural creators from across the Caribbean diaspora. It’s an immersive space to honour Caribbean creativity, explore intergenerational narratives, and celebrate the vibrant role Caribbean culture plays within Canada’s literary landscape.

All event are FREE to attend.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Event Schedule:

Friday December 12 2025

12PM | Masterclass: How to Write Speculative Poetry with Terese Mason Pierre (VIRTUAL)

Speculative poetry has seen, in recent years, a rise in engagement and publication. In this intro to speculative poetry workshop, participants will learn: the basics of defining, writing and identifying speculative poetry; how to use literary devices to enhance the speculative elements in their poems; and how to use poetic types to bridge speculative content and form. Time will also be allotted for writing exercises and sharing resources.

1:30PM | Masterclass: How to Self-Publish with Tiara Jade Chutkhan (VIRTUAL)

The self-publishing industry is rapidly growing as more authors look to build a career that gives them complete control over their stories and schedules. Join author and editor Tiara Jade for a masterclass aimed at demystifying the indie publishing process and helping early career authors navigate the key steps in their publishing journey.

Saturday December 13 2025 at Heliconian Hall

10:30AM | Masterclass: How to Write a Short Story with Rabindranath Maharaj

This workshop is designed to help you cultivate a distinctive writing voice. It will focus on impactful language composition, authentic character development, and strategic revision techniques to maximize reader engagement.

12:30PM | Masterclass: How to Write Poetry with Jayda Marley

Join poet Jayda Marley for a hands-on workshop exploring the craft of poetry and the power of language. Through writing prompts and discussion, you’ll learn how to turn emotion and experience into vivid, honest work. Jayda will share tips on finding your voice, building rhythm, and writing with intention. Open to all levels—come ready to create and connect through words.

2:30PM | Writing Home: The Literature of Diaspora & Connection (Panel Discussion)

Join panelists Yolanda T. Marshall and Rabindranath Maharaj for a reflection on what “home” means through story. This conversation explores identity, belonging, and the ways writing connects us across distance and generations. Moderated by Denise Da Costa.

3:45PM | Writing History: Storytelling as Resistance and Remembrance (Panel Discussion)

Join panelists Antonio Michael Downing and Pamela Mordecai as they explore how writers revisit and reimagine the past—using story as a tool to preserve memory, challenge dominant narratives, and bring overlooked histories to light. Moderated by Phillip Dwight Morgan.

7:00PM | Between the Lines: An Evening of Readings & Performance

Experience an evening of readings and performances that celebrate the depth and diversity of Caribbean and Canadian storytelling, featuring Lillian Allen, Stephanie Wong Ken, Jayda Marley, Alten Wilmot, and Fiona Raye Clarke.

Sunday December 14 2025 at Women’s Art Association Of Canada

10:30AM | Writing Non-Fiction 101 with Dalton Higgins

Through a guided discussion, workshop participants will learn how to turn real life experiences into publishable/salable works and how to engage narratives that resonate with today’s readers.

12:30PM | How to Set Up a Writing Practice with Matthew Dawkins (Youth Mentorship Workshop)

This workshop will dispel that myth, inviting you to reconnect with your artistic voice, redeem your art’s value, and show up for yourself.

In today’s attention economy, we’re made to believe there aren’t enough hours in the day for our craft. Or worse, that it’s not worth the effort. This workshop will dispel that myth, inviting you to reconnect with your artistic voice, redeem your art’s value, and show up for yourself on the page consistently.

2:30PM | Writing Speculative Fiction: Imagining Futures and Other Worlds (Panel Discussion)

Panelists Suzan Palumbo and Lue Palmer explore how speculative fiction allows writers to imagine futures shaped by diverse perspectives and Caribbean influences. Through new worlds and alternate realities, they discuss how the genre reimagines identity, culture, and possibility beyond the present. Moderated by Terese Mason Pierre.

3:45PM | Writing Queer Identity: Caribbean Perspectives on Love and Liberation (Panel Discussion)

In this conversation, Tanya Turton and Linzey Corridon explore how queer writers from the Caribbean and diaspora use story to express love, identity, and freedom. Through their work, they challenge convention, affirm authenticity, and celebrate the multiplicity of queer experience across cultures and generations. Moderated by Matthew Dawkins.




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