Easily the best thing to have come out of this pandemic experience.

Dr. Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif, emergency physician and freelance writer

I wasn’t sure what my next step in my writing career would be, but now I feel so empowered to start writing again.

Julie Sobowale, communications specialist

The webinars were exceptional. The turnout was fabulous. PanU has given us a gift in difficult times.

Laurel Sproule, freelance writer

I’m trying to stay focused on the good things, and Pandemic University has been a bright light in dark times.

Cullen Bird, journalist

I now feel more inspired and motivated to tackle my own piece.

Kim Smith, broadcast journalist

Thank you Pandemic University, for giving our creative impulses a virtual clubhouse when we need(ed) it most.

Jennifer Cockrall-King, author and PanU instructor

I wish real university were this cool.

Russell Cobb, professor, author, and journalist

Why did it take a global pandemic to get all of us storytelling nerds in a (virtual) room with one another? I don’t know, but I’m forever glad that we did.

Katherine Laidlaw, acclaimed journalist and PanU instructor

IRL Creative Nonfiction Retreat with Pandemic University Faculty

May 10-13, 2024: PanU invites you to our inaugural writing retreat in Edmonton!

Building a Writer’s Habit: 4-Week Course with Zahra Noorbakhsh

April 11-May 2: Build solid writing habits with guidance from an award-winning comedian, playwright, and viral ...

Science and Medical Writing for the Public: 4-Week Literary Lab with Christina Frangou

April 3–24, 2024: Transform your academic writing into unforgettable prose with a seasoned science and medical ...

Newsletter Launch Pad: Start & Grow Your Newsletter in Just 4 Weeks with Courtney Kocak

March 19–April 9, 2024: Develop and launch your newsletter with expertise

Writing Fearless Profiles: A Masterclass with Omar Mouallem

Feb. 21: An award winning profile-writer and best-selling ghostwriter teaches the art of literary portraits

Proven Formulas for Writing Articles that Sell with Jonathan Small

Feb. 18: A deep dive into writing commercially successful magazine stories

Fictionalizing Your Life: 6-week Short Fiction Intensive with Ayelet Tsabari

Jan. 20-Feb. 24, 2024: Mine the stories in your life and craft a short story from ...

Surviving the Freelance Grind: A Masterclass with Omar Mouallem

Jan. 24: From generating ideas and managing finances to self-marketing and everything in between

Deconstructing the Pitch: How to Sell Any Story, Anywhere

Jun. 1: A career freelancer breaks down a variety of successful pitches, from features to how-tos

The 2023 Great Canadian Magazine PitchFest

Nov. 13 & 27: Like speed dating for writers and editors!

Elsewhere: A Travel Writing Masterclass with Marcello Di Cintio

Dec. 6: Learn the craft of narrative travel journalism from a decorated author of travel books ...

Get it Started: Go from Zero to Outline on Your TV Series Idea with Kaitlin Fontana (Masterclass)

Dec. 2: Learn the craft of outlining your TV pilot with an acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker

Cook, Write, Publish: The Ultimate Cookbook Writer’s Masterclass with Jennifer Cockrall

Nov. 25: Learn how to bring your brilliant cookbook project from idea to reality with an ...

Wish You Were Here: Evoking Place in Your Prose (Masterclass with Ayelet Tsabari)

Oct. 15: Learn new techniques to approach writing about place from an award-winning author of fiction ...

Vancouver Nonfiction Manuscript Reviews by Richard Warnica

Sep. 17-20: Get in-person feedback on your nonfiction work from the Toronto Star's feature writer

Grow Your Show & Make Money Podcasting Masterclass with Courtney Kocak of Podcast Bestie

Sep. 9: Focus on the business side of podcasting to take your podcast to the next ...

The Business of Freelance Writing: 6-Week Intensive with Independent Journalist Omar Mouallem

Aug. 8-Sep. 12: Learn the career and creative skills necessary to live as a journalist-for-hire

Beyond Feature Writing: Unveiling the Art Behind Great Nonfiction with Richard Warnica

Aug. 26, 2023: Hone your feature and essay writing craft by decoding distinctive nonfiction writing

Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Audience, Network & Business with Courtney Kocak of Podcast Bestie

Aug. 27: Learn to create newsletter that can be a foundation for your media or business ...

Getting Good at Rejection: Masterclass with Elissa Bassist

Aug 20: Memoirist and humour writer Elissa Bassist returns to help us reframe rejection as a ...

Making Truth Better Than Fiction: Masterclass with Omar Mouallem

July 16: Apply literary techniques to craft riveting nonfiction according with help from genre master

The Modern Writer’s Tech Toolbox (2.0): Masterclass with Omar Mouallem

June 18: Get up to date on the latest writing gadgets and technological time-savers

How To Be David Sedaris – But You: Funny Personal Essays with Elissa Bassist

May 27: Learn the craft of writing comical first-person stories with an acclaimed author and humourist

Grow Your Show & Make Money Podcasting One-Day Intensive with Courtney Kocak of Podcast Bestie

May 13: Learn how to grow your audience and monetize your podcast with award-winning audio producer ...

The Art of the Nonfiction Book Proposal: 4-Week Lab with Michael Hingston

Apr. 26–May 17: Demystify the nonfiction book-proposal process by writing your own

Less is More: A Five-week Short Fiction Lab with Katie Bickell

April 25-May 23: Write a short story from start to finish with award-winning author Katie Bickell

How to Write a Tragicomic Memoir with Elissa Bassist

March 4: Transform your tragedies into comedies with an acclaimed author and humourist

Advanced Interviewing: Better Conversations for Deeper Storytelling 6-Week Lab with Sadiya Ansari

March 19-May 7: Deepen your interview skills to tackle features, memoir, and essays with an award-winning ...

The Art of the Interview (free to attend)

Feb. 13: Award-winning journalist Sadiya Ansari offers tips on how to level-up your interviewing skills in ...

The Art of Querying Literary Agents and Publishers: 6-Week Course with Akin Akinwumi

[POSTPONED] Feb. 24-March 31: See the querying process through the eyes of a literary agent and ...

Demystifying Book Queries with Akin Akinwumi (free to attend)

Feb. 3/23: What you need to know about pitching literary agents—according to an agent

Building a Writer’s Habit: 6-Week Workshop with Zahra Noorbakhsh

Feb. 22-March 29: Build solid writing habits with guidance from an award-winning comedian, playwright, and viral ...

How to Think Less and Write More with Zahra Noorbakhsh (free to attend)

Jan. 27/23: A myth-busting masterclass designed to arm you with proven facts about successful creative habits

PODCAST BESTIE x PANDEMIC UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FOR BIPOC CREATORS

An opportunity for a BIPOC podcaster to develop a concept with industry pro Courtney Kocak

Start, Sustain, and Monetize Your Podcast with Courtney Kocak

Jan. 26–Mar. 9: A seven-week intensive course with an award-winning audio producer and podcasting pro

Edmonton Weekend Workshop: Mastering the Art and Craft of Feature Writing with Richard Warnica

Jan 14 & 15 (Edmonton, AB): A two-day in-person workshop with acclaimed feature news writer Richard ...

Calgary Workshop: Mastering the Art and Craft of Feature Writing with Richard Warnica

Jan 12 & 13 (Calgary, AB): A two-day in-person workshop with acclaimed feature news writer Richard ...

Stay True: Crafting Your Nonfiction Story with Jana G. Pruden

Dec. 13-Feb. 21: Learn the foundations of narrative nonfiction storytelling in this five-week course

Building a Writer’s Habit: 6-Week Workshop with Zahra Noorbakhsh

Nov. 9-Dec. 14: Build solid writing habits with guidance from an award-winning comedian, playwright, and viral ...

How to Think Less and Write More with Zahra Noorbakhsh (free to attend)

Oct. 28/22: A myth-busting free class designed to arm you with proven facts about successful creative ...

Toronto Weekend Workshop: Mastering the Art and Craft of Feature Writing

Oct. 1 & 2: A weekend workshop in Toronto with acclaimed feature news writer Richard Warnica

The Business of Freelance Writing: 6-Week Intensive with Independent Journalist Omar Mouallem

Sep. 29–Nov. 3: Learn the career and creative skills necessary to live as a journalist-for-hire

The Art of Health & Science Writing: An 8-week Workshop with Christina Frangou

Sept. 12–Nov. 7: Master the art of writing engaging science stories with a national award-winning journalist

Advanced Interviewing for Deeper Storytelling: 6-Week Lab with Sadiya Ansari

Jun. 18–Jul. 30: Deepen your interview skills to tackle features, memoir, and essays

Surviving the Freelance Grind with Writer Omar Mouallem

Aug. 25/22: An award-winning journalist shares pro-skills and life-skills from nearly 20 years of freelancing

Honing Your Health and Science Writing with Christina Frangou (free to attend)

Aug. 16/22: An award-winning journalist shares pro-tips to help make you a better health and science ...

Writing the Personal Essay: 7-week Workshop with Memoirist Ayelet Tsabari

Jul. 10–Aug. 28: Dig deep and hone the craft of unforgettable personal essays with a bestselling ...

Let’s Get Personal: Memoir Tips with Author Ayelet Tsabari (free to attend)

Jun.24: Learn how to write personal essays with award-winning memoirist Ayelet Tsabari in this free 45-minute ...

Developing Your Comedic Voice: 5-Week Workshop with Zahra Noorbakhsh

Jun. 9-Jul. 14: Write funny, unforgettable prose with guidance from an acclaimed comedian, playwright, and essayist

The Art of the Interview (free to attend)

Rescheduled for Jun.8: Award-winning journalist Sadiya Ansari offers tips on how to level-up your interviewing skills ...

Punching Up: Comedy Writing for Fiction and Nonfiction (free)

Jun. 1: Comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh offers tips on writing humorous essays with your authentic voice in ...

Deconstructing the Pitch: How to Sell Any Story, Anywhere

Jun. 1: A career freelancer breaks down a variety of successful pitches, from features and op-eds ...

5 Lessons for Seriously Good Parody

From MAD magazine to SNL, comedian and humourist James Folta breaks down a most misunderstood art ...

The 2022 Great Canadian Magazine PitchFest

Jun. 1 & 16: Like speed dating for writers and editors!

Replay: After These Revolutions

Authors Neda Toloui-Semnani and Sean Cole talk about storytelling, grief, love, and resilience

A Not-So-Modest Book Proposal

Author and publisher Michael Hingston offers tips on making your book proposal stand out

After These Revolutions: Neda Toloui-Semnani and Sean Cole in Conversation (free event)

April 25: The authors of two new books (and dear friends) talk about storytelling, grief, love, ...

Introduction to Parody Writing with James Folta

May 19-June 2 & 3: Humourist James Folta takes your parody piece from concept to first ...

Fight for Your Rights to Freelance Write (free event)

Apr. 21: A panel of freelancers and advocates dissect complicated parts of their profession

The Art of the Nonfiction Book Proposal: 6-Week Lab with Michael Hingston

Apr. 20–May 25: Demystify the nonfiction book-proposal process by writing your own

6 Lessons from a Short Fiction Master

Award-winning author Katie Bickell walks us through six tips for better short fiction writing

Less is More: A Six-week Short Fiction Lab with Katie Bickell

Apr. 5–May 17: Write a short story from start to finish with award-winning author Katie Bickell

5 Lessons from My Freelance Writing Career

Award-winning writer and freelance journalism instructor Omar Mouallem dishes out advice from his 16-year career

A Special Offer for Pandemic U Alumni: 14 Freelance Journalism Classes for One Low Price

Are you a freelance journalist? The 2022 Center for Independent Journalists conference was designed for writers ...

Making Freelance Journalism Your Career: 7-week course 
with Omar Mouallem

Feb. 15–Mar. 29: Learn the career and creative skills necessary to live as a journalist-for-hire

Finding Your Voice as a Feature Writer: 7-Week Lab with Richard Warnica

Feb. 2–Apr. 27: Learn the craftsmanship of reported features by writing or revising a story of ...

Best Practices & Ethics for Freelance Writers (Tickets by Donation)

Oct. 22: A panel of magazine pros tackle delicate topics for independent journalists and take their ...

The Great Canadian Magazine PitchFest

Oct. 22 & 29: Like speed dating for writers and editors!

How to Make Money Podcasting: Weekend Bootcamp with Courtney Kocak

Sept. 11 & 12: A two-day intensive focused on the business side of podcast production

What’s the Recipe? A Food Writing Course with Jennifer Cockrall

Jul.20–Aug.18: An intensive course designed to help you launch your next culinary writing project

Flash Fiction: “It Was Better to Be Prepared” by Carmyn Effa

Our flash fiction contest winner juxtaposes Y2K-era girlhood with archaic, religious language

Flash Fiction: “The Eternal Lunchroom” by Jason Schreurs

Our flash fiction contest runner-up weaves a story about an office worker haunted by a mediocre ...

2021 Hon. Birdie Jamison Scholarship for TV Comedy

Are you a BIPOC woman or LGBTQ+ person with a TV comedy pitch?

Fostering Ecological Literacy

Author and conservationist Kevin Van Tighem on building connection memorable prose

How Nature Lover Sarah Gilman Turned Her Passion Into a Writing Career

"The market is wide, as it turns out, and there is still space for stories about ...

Write Your TV Comedy Pilot: 6-Week Course with Kaitlin Fontana

Jun. 1–Jul. 13: An industry pro takes your script from idea to outline to first draft

Putting a Human Touch on Data and Evidence

How writers can get the science across to general readers without getting the science wrong

Chris Turner on Balancing Journalism and Advocacy

How a leading voice on the climate crises learned to get loud

Twin Pursuits: How Annalise and Cailynn Klingbeil Discovered a Love for Nature Writing

The Go Outside publishers on finding the news hook in your outdoor passions

The Podcasting Field is Bigger Than You Think

Scriptwriter and producer Courtney Kocak on the many paths of audio storytelling

Writing is Your Nature: Finding Your Voice in Environmental Stories

A free virtual writing camp in partnership with Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Putting Your Skills to Work

May 25/21: Authort Kevin Van Tighem on improving our ecological literacy and connections to place

Making Science and Nature Stories Your Business

May 20/21: Freelance journalist Sarah Gilman teaches how to shepherd your ideas into published stories

The Art of Evidence: Reaching General Audiences

May 18/21: Sharon Riley teaches the delicate art of simplifying hard science and finding the narrative ...

Using Your Platform and Influence for Good

May 14/21: Author/speaker Chris Turner on navigating the line between reporter and advocate

Writing on Nature with Authority, Authenticity and Personality

May 11/21: Go Outside's Annalise and Cailynn Klingbeil help you find the news hook in your ...

Waubgeshig Rice on the Art of Keeping Readers in Suspense

The bestselling author breaks down how to write (and plan) a gripping page-turner

Kemosa Scholarship Fundraiser: Planning the Novel

Apr. 30: Tickets by donation, in support of First Nations, Métis and Inuit mothers who write

Statement from Sulome Anderson About Cancelling Her Masterclass on International Reporting

An important message about her class on international reporting—and the state of international reporting itself

What It’s like to Be a Foreign Correspondent in 2021

Sulome Anderson on the complexities of reporting at large and abroad

How One Novelist Turned Conflict Journalism Into Dystopian Fiction

American War author Omar El Akkad on using fiction to speak truth to power

Top 5 Jana G. Pruden Longreads

Jana’s feature reporting is always vivid, character-driven, and masterfully structured

Being Funny and Writing Funnier

James Folta explains the number one mistake that new humour writers so often make

Writer, Reporter, Tweeter: Fatima Syed on Using Social Media For Good

"I always think about what my purpose is before posting something."

A Master of Short Fiction Explains the Beauty in Brevity

“Writing short is the best way to learn to write long."

Spring ’21 Semester: Full Enrollment

All 12 classes and replays with acclaimed creative writers

Spring ’21 Semester: Half Enrollment

Choose 6 any classes and replays from the Spring '21 Semester

Edmonton Community Foundation Scholarship for Awesome Writers

Scholarships available to writers in three broad categories

Inclusive Sports Writing

April 27/21: Shireen Ahmed tackles equity and inclusion in sports media

Stories of Injustice: How to Write About Oppression

April 26/21: Cicely Belle Blain on turning difficult experiences into powerful content

Secrets of the Page-Turning Book

April 20/21: Waubgeshig Rice on building tension and suspense in fiction

International Reporting in Today’s Media Environment

April 19/21: Sulome Anderson on composing conflict stories in a compelling, accessible way

Style and Form in Resistance-Themed and Political Fiction

April 13/21: Omar El Akkad on rebellion and style across a wide variety of texts

Photography for Writers

April 12/21: Acclaimed photojournalist Amber Bracken adds a priceless skill to your toolkit

Ethics of Citizen Journalism

April 7/21: Travel writer Bert Archer shares best practices with social media journalists and influencers

Short Humour for Beginners

Apr 6/21: James Folta’s crash course on comedic writing concepts

Remember Me?: Writing Unforgettable Characters

Mar 30/21: Novelist Becky Blake teaches the art of creating 3-D characters

Getting the Most Out of Social Media

Mar 29/21: Fatima Syed shows writers and journalists how Twitter is done

Packing a Punch: Big Stories in Small Spaces

Mar 23/21: Award-winning author Katie Bickell teaches the art of flash fiction

Business Writing Basics

Mar 22/21: Max Fawcett helps you get over your math allergy

Write Your True Story with Jana G. Pruden

Apr. 12–May 31: Take your narrative feature from concept to final draft with Jana G. Pruden

Avoiding the Most Common Grant-writing Mistakes

Eva Holland on finding the cash to fund your dream projects (and maybe even buy groceries)

Funding Your Nonfiction Project: A Mini-course with Eva Holland

Feb. 8–Feb. 22: Navigate the world of journalism and nonfiction grants with Eva Holland

A Very Jolly & Somewhat Belated Richard Kelly Kemick Christmas

Dec. 28: The ever hilarious author reads holiday memoirs and shares his process with Jana Pruden

Free Replay: How to Shift Resistance and Writer’s Block Using Your Body

Make your body your most trusted creative ally with memoir teacher Janelle Hardy (recorded Dec. 1 ...

Free Replay: The 5 Principles of Writing Clear Prose

Hayley Milliman breaks down the craft of writing clear and concise sentences (recorded Oct. 20 )

Introduction to Parody Writing with James Folta

Dec 8–22: Humourist James Folta takes your parody piece from concept to first draft

Write Your True Story in 8 Weeks with Jana G. Pruden

Dec. 7–Jan. 25: Take your narrative feature from concept to final draft with Jana G. Pruden

‘I Use Technology at Every Step of My Process’

How a former school teacher mastered professional writing in the digital age

How to Shift Resistance and Writer’s Block Using Your Body

FREE event Dec. 1: Devote your energy to your writing instead of stuck, resistant blockages

The 5 Principles of Writing Clear Prose

Oct. 26: Hayley Milliman breaks down the craft of writing clear and concise sentences

Every Freelancer Needs a “Pitch Bank.” You Can Steal Mine.

Whatever your system is, just make sure you have one.

How to Get Heard in the Zoom Era: A Panel on Panels

Oct. 20: Broadcasters teach us the art of conversation, in support of Media Girlfriends Scholarship

Replays for Fashionably Late Students

Travel back in time to take classes you woefully missed

Write Your TV Comedy Pilot in 6 Weeks

Oct. 5–Nov. 16: An industry pro takes your script from idea to outline to first draft

Free Replay: Managing Your Finances as a Freelancer with Mohammed Asaduallah

Sep. 29: Benji CEO Mohammed Asaduallah helps freelance writers run their business better

Managing Your Finances as a Freelancer

Sep. 29: This free seminar promises to help freelance writers run their business better

What’s Next for PanU?

What we accomplished since spring and what's next for the Pop-up School of Writing

How Journalist Ethan Lou Mastered the “Write-around”

He'll get the story—even if it means reverse engineering a sushi receipt

Overcoming the Tyranny of Productivity

Safia Elhillo finds inspiration in unlikely places. Even an Ol' Dirty Bastard lyric.

On Collective Bargaining, Editors to Cherish, and Sweatpants

If writer, editor, and labor organizer Haley Mlotek has a beat, it's the art of conversation

How to Take a Stance and Stay Standing

Max Fawcett knows some things about getting heard without getting hurt (too badly)

The “Soft Eye” of a Multidimensional Writer

How Michael Lista mines the world for its inherent artistry

Exposing the Magic Behind the Good Kind of Fake News

If Caitlin Kunkel can morph our depressing reality into something funny, she can do anything

A Master of Taking Leaps

Whether for her story, career, or well-being, Eva Holland is always game to try

Historians Don’t “Discover” the Past. They Reconnect It.

The author of a prescient new book on racial injustice explains the true contribution of historians

Overcoming the Paralysis of Writing Memoir

Ayelet Tsabari tackles T.M.I., self-doubt, and how to get over it already

A Publishing Streak That Only a Global Pandemic Could Disrupt

Dr. Hala Alyan was on her sixth book in eight years, all while practicing clinical psychology

How To Live Your Best Life After Losing Your Dream Job

Jennifer Hamilton might've had the best job in Calgary. Then the pandemic struck.

Savvy, Surprisingly Shy, and Ridiculously Type-A

GQ columnist and PanU instructor Sophia Benoit really does contain multitudes

Managing Story Ideas like “Unannounced Houseguests”

How else would multi-disciplined writer José Teodoro decide on the right creative channel?

Peter Mansbridge’s Commencement Address

Canada's most cherished newsman made a surprise appearance at PanU's spring grad

Inspiration from Our Valedictorian

A writer living with a rare cancer, Julie Rohr gave the graduation speech of the pandemic.