It seems in Red Deer and Central Alberta - whatever your interest - there's a group or an association devoted to the cause. If you find joy in the written word, than Red Deer's Writers' Ink is the ideal choice for you. Established in 1992, Writers' Ink is a registered non-profit society devoted to the promotion of local writers and the written word. A group which started over a coffee between two friends has grown to become a society of professional, semi-professional, and aspiring writers who meet each week to share thoughts, ideas on writing, insights on the craft and of course - their writing.

Says founder and webmaster, Murray Fuhrer, "We had an active writers' club in Medicine Hat and when I moved to Red Deer in 1991, I was looking for a similar organization." A couple associations were meeting at the time, but Murray felt their focus was a touch too literary. "I was searching for a group where writers of every background and skill level could come together and share - were everyone felt comfortable doing so." Writers associate with writers and it wasn't long before Murray posed the idea, "Why don't we get together every week or so over a coffee and discuss our writing?" Before long, a handful of writers were meeting on a semi-regular basis at private homes - sharing the written word and enjoying great fellowship. Word began to spread and in less than six months, the group was forced to seek a permanent meeting place. "An original group member, Neil Hoffman, suggested the name Writers' Ink and we all agreed - it was the perfect choice."

Incorporation of the group as a society was the next step followed by a grant application to the Alberta Foundation for the Literary Arts. The application was success and the group's first project an anthology entitledAlberta Lifestyles was launched. Edited by Murray, the volume featured works of poetry and prose from writers across Central Alberta. A flurry of activity followed the announcement of the book project - newspaper stories, interviews on radio and community cable - a book launch with guest readers. Writers' Ink was firmly establishing in the minds of the reading/writing public as a progressive, dynamic group of writers. Shortly thereafter, membership swelled to nearly thirty forcing the group to again seek a new and larger venue. Choosing to meet weekly, the group settled into a comfortable routine - sharing news, views, and writing in progress, offering advice and critiques to fellow writers, hosting mini workshops and theme nights. The group decided to produce a chapbook each year - an adlib collection of assorted works - and one professional anthology every three years.Journeys: Personal, Spiritual, and Geographical followed in 1996 - edited by then Secretary/Treasurer, Joyce Ross and funded by the successful sale of Alberta Lifestyles. Again, works were selected for inclusion from writers across Central Alberta. The group continued hosting regular, weekly meetings and produced an annual chapbook, but it wouldn't be until 2002 - the 10th Anniversary of the group - that a third anthology was produced entitled simply,Our Tenth Anniversary Edition. Edited by Murray Fuhrer and Patricia Wynne, this volume featured works of prose and poetry by past and present club members.

I sought the assistance of The Alberta Foundation for the Arts and set about immediately preparing a grant application. As the first WINK publication would promote "Central Alberta" writers - I chose the area from Olds to Wetaskiwin and Stettler to Rocky Mountain House. I was already familiar with Friesen Printers - the renowned History Book Printer - and chose them as our printer. Meetings were set up with Jim Beckle - the local Friesen Representative and quotes were collected. After many hours of work and calls to the AFA - the grant application was in the mail. Hard work was rewarded when our grant application was approved and we were "cut" a cheque for $2000. My game plan was simple. If we could get funding for the first book - resulting book sales would cover future publishing ventures. Though I wasn't new to the publishing game - having helped publish two paperback editions in Medicine Hat and a special commemorative hardcover edition for Health & Welfare Canada - the task did prove daunting. The Club chose to have a contest with publication in Alberta Lifestyles as the reward. Deadlines came and went with the number of entries surprisingly low. I appeared on the local cable station, approached local newspapers, and radio stations. I also approached the Writers' Guild of Alberta and called every writer friend I had. The entries began to trickle in and by our third and final deadline, we had enough submissions for the book. Then began the task of editing and processing the book. Finally, a camera ready copy was complete and sent to Jim Beckle at Friesen's. True to his word, Jim was fast and friendly. The book came back to us in the fall of 1994 and was thoroughly professional in all aspects. The book is a fine collection of short stories and poetry with a true Central Alberta flavour. Alberta Lifestyles was well received and sale of the book provided us with enough money to complete a second collection - Journey'sin 1996. (But that's another story). I hope you'll read on and discover some of the wonderful works contained within the covers. Discover what sets Alberta writers apart and enjoy!

The Writers' Ink
Executive Board Members

Jock Mackenzie
President

John Burnham
Vice President

Sherrie Wood
Treasurer

Dana Friestadt
Secretary

Writers' Ink offers a special Thank You to Ken Kanten for donating this website software for the clubs use. Make sure to visit his website, follow the link at the bottom of the page.

A Step in the "Write" Direction