40th Anniversary
Supporting writers in Ottawa since 1986
2026 Anthology
Submissions are open!
This year’s theme "Still Here" reflects OIW’s 40th anniversary and celebrates the many ways we continue to grow, create, and persevere.
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For more details and to submit, click here.
february
OIW Member exclusive- via ZOOM
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, February 24
7 pm
OIW’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the opportunity for OIW members to listen to the Board share updates on the organization's activities over the past year. Current President Su Mardelli, Treasurer Kelley Raab, and Vice President Lena Samson will present key aspects of 2025’s initiatives.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
OIW Member exclusive- via ZOOM
Reading Night
Tuesday, February 24
7:45 pm
Immediately following the AGM, eight members will have the opportunity to read aloud excerpts from their current projects.
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This is the event we all look forward to, a chance to remind ourselves that OIW exists to support writers. We can't wait to hear your work!
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
March
Meeting
Tackling the Manuscript
Tuesday, March 17 at 7 pm
Bringing a book from manuscript to publication takes a team - development editors, copy editors, graphic designers and audio readers to name just a few.
Join us for our March meeting as debut historical novelist, Jennifer Chevalier, discusses her new book, The Winter Witch, with her editors, Adrienne Kerr and katherena vermette. You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to learn how a book goes from submission to publication.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
Workshop
First Sentence to First Sale
Saturday, March 14
Join historical fiction and romance author, Susan Jennings, for a practical overview of the writing journey, designed for both new writers and those with some writing experience.
The workshop begins with the writing process itself, asking some honest, sometimes tough questions about our writing. It then moves to the next stage: how to polish a completed manuscript and prepare it for publication.
Participants will learn about the different publishing options and what is expected from the author, including costs and workload, and the workshop concludes with a brief, realistic look at how best to sell your book and make a profit.
Details of all our events and presentations will be emailed to members.
Not a member yet?
Visit our Membership Page to learn all about the benefits of being an OIW member, including the opportunity to get published!
OUR MEETINGS
MONTHLY MEETINGS
OIW holds nine monthly program meetings from September to June each year on a wide variety of writing related topics, normally with a speaker and plenty of opportunity for questions.
CURRENT MEETINGS
OIW gathers every third Tuesday of the month with presentations starting at 7 pm, lasting until 8:30 pm. The meetings currently take place on the Zoom virtual platform.
Visit our membership page to sign-up now!
OUR BOARD
Meet some of the OIW Board Directors!
Bob Barclay
Member-at-Large
During my professional career I published a great many technical works, but on my retirement some 15 years ago I decided to turn my hand to fiction. With a nascent novel in hand, a quick search of resources led me to Ottawa Independent Writers, which proved to be a turning point. With the wide expertise available among the OIW membership, I was able to complete my novel, see to the formatting and cover design, and get it into print all in good order. I soon became a board member of the organization, and it is from that vantage point I can now help others who were in my situation 15 years ago. Board membership allows me to give back to the community, and I feel that many OIW members who have followed my path would find great satisfaction in membership on the board, sharing their expertise, and watching all aspects of the creative writing process from the first words on the screen to the completed published work.
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Lena Samson
Vice President
As an OIW board member, I engage with prolific writers and literary professionals whom I would never meet otherwise. My writing and editing have benefited greatly from their experience and expertise. The Board is a friendly, sage and collaborative group from which I've learned enormously and to to which I'm grateful to contribute. Every volunteer on the Board brings a new perspective, unique background and helps OIW continue to thrive.
Interested in joining the Board and giving your writing career a boost? Let us know!
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Email us at: members@ottawaindependentwriters.com