Katie Bickell and Premee Mohamed have been selected to serve as the 2024 Writers in Residence at Strathcona County, St. Albert and Edmonton public libraries. Bickell and Mohamed will offer a wide range of supports and programs to writers of all ages and experience levels during their year with the libraries. The Writer in Residence program is a partnership between these three members of the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries.
Pilar Martinez, CEO of Edmonton Public Library (EPL), conveyed her excitement about the Library's latest addition, stating, "Premee Mohamed's residency marks a celebration of her outstanding literary accomplishments, and we eagerly anticipate the inspiration she will impart to the writers within our dynamic community."
Mohamed is an Indo-Caribbean scientist and Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora award-winning speculative fiction author based in Edmonton. She has also been a finalist for the Hugo, Ignyte, British Fantasy, and Crawford awards. She is an Assistant Editor for the science fiction podcast ‘Escape Pod’ and the author of the 'Beneath the Rising' series of novels as well as several novellas.
"I am honoured to be chosen as the EPL's next Writer in Residence, particularly because I would never be where I am today without a lifetime of accessing Edmonton's amazing library resources.“ said Mohamed. “I am excited to support creators working in all formats and genres, kick-start some creative practices, and connect communities of writers, readers and artists with everything EPL has to offer!"
Premee Mohamed will spend her year on the second floor of EPL’s Stanley A. Milner Library in the Writer in Residence office. The regional Writer in Residence, Katie Bickell, will offer writing programs and one-on-one consultations at the Strathcona County Library from January through June, and at the St. Albert Public Library from August through December. Area writers can access Writer in Residence programs and services at either library throughout the year.
The Writer in Residence program, a decade-strong collaboration among Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries, celebrates its tenth successful year. The outgoing 2023 writers, Tololwa Mollel and Kate Boorman, have engaged with numerous aspiring and experienced writers in the metro area through free one-on-one writing support, creative opportunities, and diverse writing programs.
In 2024, the program continues its commitment to fostering literary growth, with Premee Mohamed and Katie Bickell ready to inspire and mentor writers across the metro area. The torch passes to them as they embark on a year of mentorship, creative exploration and community engagement.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Erika Nakatsui, Communications Specialist
780-819-4337
