Writers’ Trust of Canada is accepting applications from writers to live and write at Berton House in Dawson City, Yukon in 2027. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2026. Applicants will be informed of the results by August 2026.

Four selected authors will be offered two-month residencies in the childhood home of noted Canadian author Pierre Berton. The home has operated as a writers’ residency since 1996. Residents will receive a $4,000 stipend and travel costs will be covered by Writers’ Trust. Writers-in-residence are required to perform two public readings: one at the Whitehorse Public Library and one at the Dawson City Community Library. As well, they are encouraged to engage further with the local community by holding writing workshops in the community, interacting with the public, participating in local events, and availing themselves and their work to local and national media. 

To be eligible candidates must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• have published at least one book with a professional publishing house,
• be established in any literary creative discipline (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young readers, playwriting). Self-published writers or writers working in other genres are not eligible.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 30, 2026 (11:59pm PT). All applicants will be notified of the results in August 2026.

Applicants will be asked to indicate their preference for available residencies:

RESIDENCY PERIODS 

• March/April 2027. 
• May/June 2027. 
• July/Augst 2027. 
• September/October 2027.

Our commitment to reconciliation

Berton House is situated on the contemporary and traditional territory of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people. Writers’ Trust endeavours to bring Indigenous authors to their community during their traditional time for storytelling each fall in a spirit of Tr’ëhudè (living in a good way) and Hǫzǫ Kä̀nä̀cha (take care). We ask eligible applicants who are First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit to share with us the Indigenous community or communities with which they are affiliated. Indigenous authors are welcome to apply for any of the available residencies and are not restricted to this dedicated residency.

How are applications assessed?

Applications will be judged by a three-person jury including authors and a Dawson City community member. In their assessment, jurors will place heavy emphasis on a candidate’s expression of interest in Berton House and will want to know why this program is the right match at this time (as opposed to any other residency program). Please note that applicants need not be working on projects related to the North to be Berton House writers-in-residence.

Special access and medical requirements?

We encourage all eligible writers to apply. Please contact the program director at any stage of the application process to discuss any specific mobility concerns, sensory impairments, medical requirements, or other issues you may have that affect your decision to apply to the program. Writers’ Trust aims to accommodate all writers and mitigate access barriers whenever possible. 

Renovations completed in 2022 increased accessibility at Berton House so that more Canadian writers can benefit from this opportunity. It now has an access ramp from the driveway to the back entrance and accessibility within the house has been improved. 

However, Berton House is a century-old home in a remote community. It may not provide the accessibility standards or services potential applicants may be accustomed to in their own communities. The house itself is a bungalow located on the southern edge of town. It is roughly 800 sq ft. It is cozy and comfortably accommodates one or two people, but it is not large or spacious. 

Dawson City is not entirely accessible, though many buildings in meet accessibility requirements. 

The city is serviced by unpaved roads and has sidewalks made of wood planks. These sidewalks are raised off the ground and not serviced by curb ramps. It is challenging to get a wheelchair from the unpaved road up onto the sidewalk. Sidewalks are shoveled during winter months, but the roads are not. 

Dawson City’s hospital provides 24/7 emergency care. The medical clinic is housed in the same building and offers walk-in and scheduled appointments and has a retail pharmacy. Occupational or physical therapy is not a service typically provided in Dawson and may not be available. 

Dawson City is serviced by Air North airlines and they provide as needed carry on/off service for persons with disabilities. 

While Berton House has a no-pet policy, service animals are allowed. 

For more information, please contact:

Amanda Hopkins, Program Director

ahopkins@writerstrust.com

416-504-8222