Diverse talent latest Writer-In-Residence

Frances Koncan [BA/2010] is the newest Writer-In-Residence at The Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture (CCWOC) at the University of Manitoba. Koncan will work with students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the public from September to December 2021.

Frances Koncan is a writer of mixed Anishinaabe and Slovene descent from Couchiching First Nation. Koncan is an alumna of the Faculty of Arts (major in Psychology and minor in Theatre) and has an MFA in Playwriting from the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. They got their start as a writer by blogging about the TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and has since expanded their storytelling-style repertoire to include plays, screenplays, creative non-fiction, journalism, video essays, digital content creation and more. Their writing skills continue to be recognized as a 2016 winner of Best New Manitoba play at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and a 2018 winner of Best New Play at the Toronto Fringe Festival. In 2020, their play Women of the Fur Trade premiered on the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Warehouse stage. In 2021, she was named a Directing Fellow for the ThisGen Fellowship from Why Not Theatre. Their humor is evident throughout and will be a positive influence on writers of all types who seek advice during their residency.

Koncan is excited to work with the U of M community. “I am most looking forward to getting to know students and community members who are interested in writing, reading their work and having some good conversations,” said Koncan.

“The smart and funny Frances Koncan joins us virtually for the fall semester, and I know she will bring the energy of their Women of the Fur Trade show to the U of M community,” says Jocelyn Thorpe, CCWOC Director. “Frances has experience writing in all kinds of genres, is eager to support emerging writers and is willing to share their thoughts about indigenizing language and redefining the ‘rules’ of writing.”

Thorpe encourages aspiring writers to take this opportunity to learn and benefit from Koncan’s advice. “Whether you are a student, alumni, academic, staff or community member who is an aspiring or even an experienced writer, I encourage you to attend Frances’ welcome event and learn more about the Writer-In-Residence program; we can fill the virtual room and share in Frances’ wisdom and generosity.”

WELCOME EVENT

CCWOC will welcome Frances Koncan to the University of Manitoba at a virtual event where she will give a talk ‘On Becoming a Main Character’. All are welcome. If you would like to attend this free event, email ccwoc [at] umanitoba [dot] ca to rsvp. The Zoom link will be emailed out the day before the event.

Welcome Event: On Becoming a Main Character
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Email ccwoc [at] umanitoba [dot] ca to receive the Zoom link.

INDIVIDUAL WRITER CONSULTATIONS

As part of Koncan’s role, she will be available virtually by appointment to writers of all levels from September to December. To consult with Koncan, students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the public are encouraged to contact her by email to arrange a free meeting.

Office hours
September 16 to December 15, 2021
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

WRITING WORKSHOP
Koncan is hosting a free 6-week writing workshop throughout the residency on ‘Decolonizing the Creative Writing Process’.

Workshop description:
What is “good” writing? What is the process that leads to this “good” writing? And, how can we reject those colonial relics and create new processes that uplift our individual voices and honour our lived experiences? We’ll explore the creative processes of other writers and work towards building a sustainable, healthy writing process that can be a safe and cozy space to explore, create, and tell stories within! 

Decolonizing the Creative Writing Process Workshop
October 27 to December 1
Wednesdays
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Registration for the online workshop is limited. Email ccwoc [at] umanitoba [dot] ca to register.

For more information about any of these programs and events, please contact the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture at ccwoc [at] umanitoba [dot] ca.

Amber Ostermann