Diaspora Dialogues

Supporting new fiction, poetry, and drama

Donate

Social Links Widget

Event News

UPCOMING EVENT: Romantasy 101 with Anuja Varghese

by

April 28, 2026 | 12:30pm EST

This is an introduction to the genre of romantasy where author Anuja Varghese will break down common tropes and structures, and where you will look at things like the intersections of genre elements, and much more!

Register here.

Anuja Varghese (she/her) is an award-winning writer of literary fiction, fantasy, and erotica/romance where women of color get leading roles! In 2023, her short story collection, titled CHRYSALIS, won the Writers Trust of Canada Dayne Ogilvie Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, and in 2024, was longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, among others. Her debut novel, A KISS OF CRIMSON ASH, the first in a new medieval India-inspired romantasy trilogy, is forthcoming in May 2026. Anuja lives in Hamilton with her partner, two kids, and two cats. Find Anuja online at anujavarghese.com.

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

by

 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.
  • Submissions will be accepted electronically.
  • All prose submissions should be double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12. Poetry can be single-spaced.
  • 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.
  • Writers must be Canadian citizens or Canadian residents.

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Please read all of the guidelines carefully before submitting and send all submissions to: zalika@diasporadialogues.com 

UPCOMING EVENT: Celebrating New Asian Canadian Novels

by

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. Moderated by Rachel Phan.

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

by

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

by

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

by

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!

Top