Writer-in-Residence
2025-26 Writer-in-Residence: Anna Chatterton
Anna Chatterton is a writer and theatre artist. She is a two-time finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama for her plays Within the Glass and Gertrude and Alice (cowritten with Evalyn Parry). Anna's other published plays include Quiver and Cowgirl Up. She is the winner of a City of Hamilton Arts Award, a Toronto Theatre Critics Award, and has been nominated for five Dora Mavor Moore Awards, winning the 2018 Outstanding Production of an Opera. Anna’s work as a librettist have been produced across Canada and the United States and won an LA Independent Women Film Award for ‘Best Narrative Feature' (Sweat); the Opera America ‘Artistic Creation Award’ Digital Excellence Awards (Sweat) and been nominated for a JUNO award (Breathe). Anna was the 2024-2025 Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer-in-Residence at the Hamilton Library/McMaster University and has been in residence at seven theatres. Anna holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. Upcoming Children of Fire (cowritten with Shahrzad Arshadi) published by Book*hug Press in May 2026. Read more at annachatterton.com.
Office Hours
Meet with Anna to discuss your creative projects. All members of Western University and the London community are welcome. To schedule an appointment, contact vivian.foglton@uwo.ca.
Fall Term Hours
Office hours are available, by appointment on Tuesdays beginning September 9:
11:00 am - 2:00 pm Western University
Winter Term Hours
11:00 am - 2:00 pm Western University
3 - 6 pm Central Library (251 Dundas Street)
Writing Guidelines
Format: Please use standard formats:12 point font, double-spaced, with page numbers. The maximum length of manuscript for any one consultation is 10 pages, poetry 5 pages.
NOTE: Your writing must be sent as an attachment in a word doc or pdf. Please send a week (7 days) in advance of your consultation (or earlier) so I have time to read it and take notes.
When you send your writing, please include 1-3 questions that you have about the writing that you would like me to focus on.
Writer-in-Residence FAQ
How do I make an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, email Vivian Foglton at vivian.foglton@uwo.ca.
Once you have an appointment, please send Vivian a sample of your work one week before your appointment.
How do I submit work?
Once you have scheduled an appointment, please email your work to vivian.foglton@uwo.ca.
What kind of work can I submit?
Any kind of creative writing! Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or prose. With regard to poetry, Anna notes: "While I am not a poet, I am happy to read your poetry and offer guidance, but please note this is not my area of expertise."
How long should the work be that I submit?
Prose (fiction or non-fiction): 10 pages, Word document, double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman
Poetry: 5 pages, Word document, double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman
What should I expect at the meeting with the WIR?
Please come prepared to discuss your work. This could include your intentions with the work, your hopes and plans for it, and what you see as the next steps.
What if I can't make the appointment?
Please email vivian.foglton@uwo.ca as soon as possible if you need to re-schedule or cancel the appointment.
About Western's Writer-in-Residence
The Writer-in-Residence Program is sponsored by the James A. and Marjorie Spenceley Fund, the Department of English and Writing Studies, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and London Public Library donors.
