Writing Groups for Graduate Students
Writing Hour: Pop-Tarts & Paragraphs
Sprints have become Writing Hour: Pop-Tarts & Paragraphs.
A weekly hybrid writing hour for U of A graduate students from all disciplines.
We begin with a brief check-in and one concrete goal for the hour, then work quietly together. Bring whatever needs attention: drafting, revising, reading, coding, responding to feedback, planning, or other research and writing.
Join in person in Rutherford Library or online through Google Meet. Pop-Tarts provided for in-person participants.
Regular participation is encouraged, but you do not need to attend every week. Come when you can.
Virtual Writing Cafés
A weekly online writing space for U of A graduate students from all disciplines.
Our Virtual Writing Cafés are available, and you can choose from one of two options.
Wednesdays: 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Fridays: 2:00-3:30 p.m.
We begin with a brief check-in and conversation, then spend most of the session working together. Bring whatever academic work needs attention.
Regular participation is encouraged, but you do not need to attend every week. Come when you can.
Each group now has a dedicated chat and a list of calendar dates as well.
Writing Retreats
PHOW Fall 2026 Resilience Mini-Retreat
November 26 and 27, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Alberta Time | Virtual on Zoom
Offered by the Writing and Learning Centre and based on the Power Hour of Writing (PHOW) model, this online mini-retreat gives graduate students time to write alongside other writers. The Fall 2026 theme is resilience: getting started when a page is blank, working with imperfect early drafts, and finding a way back into a project after delay, feedback, fatigue, or ordinary life has interrupted the work.
Participants will write during structured Power Hour blocks, take part in short activities led by writing and learning staff, and have the option of booking one 20-minute consultation after lunch on either day. We invite graduate students at any stage of their program to participate. Whether you are working on a thesis, dissertation, article, proposal, or another long writing project, the retreat gives you time to write, make a plan you can manage, and decide what to do next.
Apply for the PHOW Fall 2026 Resilience Mini-Retreat by filling out our application form here by Nov 2, 2026. For questions, contact jssimmon@ualberta.ca.
Several times a year, we host multi-day writing retreats to help you regain momentum on your thesis or other major writing project. Retreats combine dedicated writing time with practical talks, goal setting, health breaks and one-on-one appointments with our professional writing advisors, who hold advanced degrees and bring years of editorial and scholarly publishing experience. Registration is free, but space is limited and participants must commit to attending all sessions.
Watch this page for upcoming retreat dates, or email wlcentre@ualberta.ca to learn more.