VPL's Writer-in-Residence Program
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The Library is thrilled to announce that award-winning science fiction author Spider Robinson is Vancouver Public Library’s sixth Writer in Residence.
During his four-month tenure, Robinson, an internationally acclaimed author of 36 novels, will mentor emerging writers and share his expertise with the community through readings, events and the Library’s first-ever podcasted workshop.
The residency also allows the writer to spend 75 percent of their time writing and Robinson will work on his novel tentatively titled Orphan Stars, the first book in a trilogy of sequels to Variable Star.
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About Spider Robinson
One of world's most-prominent science fiction authors, Spider Robinson has written 36 novels, which have been published in 10 languages, including the long-running series of raucous tales set around Callahan's Crosstime Saloon and The Stardance Trilogy, written in collaboration with his late wife Jeanne Robinson. His short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies around the world and Robinson is also an accomplished musician, writing songs in collaboration with musical legend David Crosby and being accompanied by guitar legend Amos Garrett.
In 2006, Robinson became the only writer to collaborate on a novel with science fiction grand master Robert A. Heinlein, posthumously completing the critically acclaimed Variable Star.
He has won numerous awards, including science fiction's top international honours, the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, a Nebula Award and three Hugo Awards. In 2008 he won the Robert A. Heinlein Award for Lifetime Excellence in Literature.
Happy to be the Library's 2010 Writer in Residence, Robinson views the residency as a sort of homecoming.
“I have felt that libraries are my true home ever since I discovered my first one back in 1954. So I’ve been a Reader in Residence for over half a century, which led me to writing,” said Robinson. “I could not have picked a more-appropriate library at which to reside than the Vancouver Public Library. Many have noted its physical resemblance to a Star Trek set, making it a natural home for cutting-edge experiments like turning a writer’s workshop into a podcast.”
Writers in Residence Events
Spider Robinson: Inaugural Reading
Science Fiction Writing 101 Workshop (via Podcast)
Scheduling Writers' Interviews with the Writer in Residence
- Thursday, September 23 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.
- Saturday, October 2 at 12 p.m. 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- Saturday, October 16 at 12 p.m. 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- Thursday, October 28 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.
- Saturday, November 13 at 12 p.m. 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
- Saturday, November 27 at 12 p.m. 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
About the Program
Created in 2005, the Writer in Residence program promotes Canadian writing and literature to Vancouver citizens. During a four-month residency, VPL's Writer in Residence spends 75 per cent of their time on their own work and 25 per cent mentoring emerging writers, conducting workshops and participating in other activities to share their experience with the broader community.
In addition to meeting one-on-one with emerging writers, the Writer in Residence choses specific groups they would like to work with, often focusing on communities not typically exposed to Canadian literature.
The 2010 VPL Writer in Residence program was made possible with the generous financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library.
For info about our previous Writers in Residence, see our Past Writers in Residence page.
