30 YEARS SERVING OTTAWA     More than 220 Members

​MISSION AND HISTORY - 30 YEARS OF SERVING OTTAWA'S WRITERS

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was created in 1986 as a gathering place for people with a passion to weave fiction and non-fiction stories, write poetry and plays and string words together in a variety of other formats. OIW provides a venue where writers can share experiences and learn new aspects of their craft. We empathize with writers having trouble getting started and we celebrate with those whose works are published. Along the way, we give them the tools necessary to improve their work. Although the emphasis is on writing, we also focus on the business of writing, which includes finding a publisher, editing, cover design, promotion and marketing, networking and keeping track of finances. Writers who need help in any of these areas will be connected with members who can offer advice, or we can link them with outside experts. OIW serves the interests of all writers, from novice to seasoned scribe. Our members are involved in advertising, biography, business communications, children's literature, literary publicity, memoirs, translation, freelance writing, consumer affairs, drama, education, fiction and non-fiction, government, health, high technology, humour, magazines, music, mystery, journalism, novels, poetry, science, short stories, speculative fiction, speeches, screenwriting, travel and more!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SUSAN JENNINGS

PAST PRESIDENT

TAMARA MILLER

PRESIDENT

GENA WATTEEL

VICE-PRESIDENT

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ROSEMARY BANN

TREASURER

BOB BARCLAY

RECORDING SECRETARY

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SU MARDELLI

MEMBERSHIP

DIRECTOR

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LENA SAMSON

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE COMMUNICATIONS

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ALEXIS MACISAAC

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE COMMUNICATIONS

JON PEIRCE 

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

VALERIE BUKO 

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

JAGJEET SHARMA 

MEMBER-AT-LARGE