The Museum at Campbell River is pleased to announce the 2025/2026 Writer in Residence is Claire Mulligan

Haig-Brown House Writer-in-Residence

Each winter, one Canadian author is invited to spend up to five months living and writing in the historic Haig-Brown House—a serene retreat nestled along the Campbell River in British Columbia.

This unique residency offers published authors a rare opportunity to step away from daily distractions and immerse themselves in their craft. Supported in part by the Canada Council, the program provides a stipend of $2,000 per month (dependent on funding availability) and accommodations in the former home of renowned conservationist and author Roderick Haig-Brown and his wife Ann.

The modest four-bedroom home reflects the thoughtful simplicity of its former residents. Surrounded by lush gardens, heritage trees, and 17 acres of parkland, the house also features a Heritage Library and quiet writing spaces that have inspired many acclaimed works—including Brian Brett’s award-winning Trauma Farm, completed during his residency.

A Shared Creative Journey

In exchange for this creative retreat, residents dedicate approximately 40% of their time to community engagement through the Museum at Campbell River. This includes public readings, workshops, mentorship of emerging writers, and talks that foster literary culture on Vancouver Island and beyond.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from Canadian authors with at least one professionally published book. Strong public speaking skills and experience in teaching or mentorship are considered assets.

Past Residents Say It Best

“This was an extraordinary residency, and a gift of inspiration. The Haig-Brown house on the Campbell River embodies the spirit of its celebrated owners. The place literally welcomes writers with a warm and quiet embrace. The Museum at Campbell River provided excellent support and carefully respected my writing time. It did an excellent job promoting the residency.”
— Andrew Nikiforuk, Writer-in-Residence 2013–2014

Writer in Residence Application

The next intake for applicants will be Fall 2026/2027 with a deadline for applications of March 31, 2026.

The residency entails spending the winter months (or a portion thereof) living in the Haig-Brown Heritage House.

The modest four bedroom house reflects the character of writer Roderick Haig-Brown and his wife Ann. Located in a peaceful setting on the banks of the Campbell River on Vancouver Island, it contains a Heritage library and is surrounded by two acres of garden and 17 acres of public parkland.

The Writer’s time will be divided between pursuing personal writing projects and providing literary advice and support to the local community, with writing time favoured on a 60/40 basis. The writer would also participate in the Museum at Campbell River’s winter programming.

A stipend of up to $2,000 per month, depending on available funding, will be provided.

Application Information Sheet

Applications should include:

A resume or CV (maximum two pages)
A list of publications
A sample of work in progress (10 – 20 pages)
A letter of interest outling:
- Ideas and themes for proposed community programming.
- Reasons why the residency would further your work including an indication of what personal writing project you would be working on during this residency.
- Experience mentoring emerging writers.
Two letters of reference

Forward your application package via email or mail to Writer in Residence Program, Museum at Campbell River, Box 70 Stn A, Campbell River, BC V9W 4Z9.

Email is: hb.writer@crmuseum.ca

“This was an extraordinary residency, and a gift of inspiration. The Haig-Brown house on the Campbell River embodies the spirit of its celebrated owners. The place literally welcomes writers with a warm and quiet embrace. The Museum of Campbell River provided excellent support and carefully respected my writing time. It did an excellent job promoting the residency.”

My residency at the Haig-Brown House has given me much needed time to write again. I've accomplished much more than I thought I might at the start, mostly because of the quiet, creative space that the House seems uniquely designed to provide. I've also made some great contacts in the Campbell River area, in effect expanding my literary community.”

For me the Haig-Brown residency has been a sanctuary away from the distractions that sometimes slow me down as a writer. The house, the river, and the property have been an inspiration on many levels and I have had some of my best writing days here.

Past Writers in Residence

2004/2005	Don McKay	Victoria, B.C.
2005/2006	David Carpenter	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2006/2007	Myrna Kostash	Edmonton, Alberta
2007/2008	Brian Brett	Saltspring Island, B.C.
2008/2009	Marjorie Doyle	St. John’s, Newfoundland
2009/2010	Harry Thurston	Amherst, Nova Scotia
2010/2011	Patricia Robertson	Whitehorse, Yukon
2011/2012	Trevor Herriot	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2012/2013	Charlotte Gill	Powell River, B.C.
2013/2014	Andrew Nikiforuk	Calgary, Alberta
2014/2015	David Carpenter	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2015/2016	Wayne Grady	Kingston, Ontario
2016/2017	John Donlan	Vancouver, B.C.
2017/2018	Bev Sellars	Soda Creek, B.C.
2018/2019	Terry Jordan	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2019/2020	Eden Robinson	Kitimaat, B.C.
2021/2022	Danny Ramadan	Vancouver, B.C.
2022/2023	Andrea Routley	Vancouver, B.C.
2023/2024	Karolyn Smardz Frost	Toronto, ON
2024/2025	Legacy Project with Celia Haig-Brown	Toronto, ON
2025/2026	Claire Mulligan	Victoria, BC