Looking For Another Chance to Study Writing With Morgan Campbell? Apply to BIPOC Writers Connect 2026

Yes, I posted a few months ago about a sports writers’ retreat scheduled for October, where I was slated to join the faculty. And no, the event never came to fruition. Chalk it up to the state of the industry. Traditional media outlets are strapped for cash, so the idea of spending a few thousand dollars to send some sports writers to a resort town is a non-starter, even if it means they’ll return to the newsroom with newly-sharpened skills. That kind of professional development isn’t seen as a necessity anymore. More of a luxury, like a second cottage, or Mr. Burns’ ivory back-scratcher.

But, I’ll be back teaching in October, thanks to to the Writers Union of Canada, and I’m inviting you to come study with me at BIPOC Writers Connect 2026, scheduled for October 2026.

And by you, I mean YOU, especially if you are a Canadian writer who is Black, Indigenous or otherwise racialized, if you’re a published writer or journalist, and if you have a long-form work of creative writing already in progress. Those details might sound specific but they describe more people than you think, which is why this program exists. Skills aside, work ethic aside, surviving and thriving in this business requires mentorship. This program, organized and funded by the Union, gives established writers (a phrase that applies very loosely to me) a chance to help another generation get a handle on the craft.

I’ll re-share the link to the program’s website and application page at the bottom of this post, but I’ll share some details first.

Applications are open now, and they close at 11:59pm on July 26.

Feel free to use standard spell checkers on whatever you submit, but please keep your A.I. writing away from this. Chat GPT submissions will get field goal-punted up out of here.

We’ll spend August going over submissions, then alert successful applicants in September and gear up for the day-long workshop in October.

You’ll find full details, as well as an application page, RIGHT HERE, so please click and peruse.

And if you apply, I wish you the best of luck. I would say that I hope this cohort of mentees includes the next Morgan Campbell, but that’s a lie.

I want you to aim higher.

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