Anna Marie Sewell has an impressive resume, to be sure; an author of novels, poetry collections, magazine articles and even choral scores highlighting a breadth of writing achievements. But the 59-year-old Indigenous Albertan says she still has a ‘learner’s mind’; taking writing/teaching opportunities when they feel like a fit, and getting as much from students as she gives.
Sewell will bring that generous spirit with her when she takes up duties as Writer in Residence (WIR) at the St. Albert Public Library in the latter half of 2025. The accomplished multidisciplinary artist and previous Poet Laureate for the City of Edmonton is one of two recipients of the 2025 Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries Writers in Residence program, splitting the year between Sherwood Park and St. Albert. Sewell is joined by Rhonda Parrish, who’ll spend her entire year of residency at the Stanley A. Milner Library in downtown Edmonton.
Offering a wide range of support and programs to writers of all ages and experience through a partnership with three area libraries, (Strathcona County Library, St. Albert Public Library and Edmonton Public Library), the Writers in Residence will share expertise through programs and one-on-one consultations with writers of all ages and skill levels, at no charge.
“I was touched to be able to do two terms as Writer in Residence at Macewan, and as Poet Laureate for Edmonton–working with people and their projects,” said Sewell. “I love the human connection, just being present in the moment. The writing will be whatever the writing has to be.”
Sewell grew up telling stories and making up songs, moving from the east coast to a mostly rural Alberta upbringing. She studied drama at the University of Alberta and found community and the connections she sought through theatre, poetry, music and movies.
“I was a performance poet, but then I found I liked producing books. That felt like a fit,” recalled Sewell, who spent time teaching in Mexico and Japan before a bit of wanderlust led her to connect with the group Peace Boat (which works for peace, human rights, environmental protection and sustainability). “I wondered if they’d hire me to be a lecturer. I’ve been twice, and love the people I’ve met–they’re sincere encounters–in the sea!”
Sewell will theme her time as 2025 WIR as “Peace and Play”, providing guest speaker events along with designated time to consult with writers on their projects, (plus time devoted to her own writing). Though her itinerary for St. Albert isn’t yet set, two talks are already scheduled for while Sewell is based in Sherwood Park, and the Zoom events will be open to all.
I'm honoured to present talks with artists whose work for peace I greatly admire, in hopes of inspiring our own community to write for peace. And play is the best way I know to free up artistry. So, I am delighted for my first event at Strathcona County Library to be a night of Word Games,” Sewell said, adding she’ll plan something similar when she takes up residency in St. Albert later in 2025.
Peter Bailey, CEO of St. Albert Public Library, says the WIR partnership leverages the resources of three libraries to bring a valuable service to community members. “We have seen every year the incredible impact of supporting writing and writers in our communities through the program. Being able to meet and be mentored one-on-one by professional writers like Anna Marie and Rhonda is tremendously beneficial to aspiring local writers and to our communities,” he said.
Sewell (prairiepomes.com) is the author of novels Humane and Urbane, poetry collections Fifth World Drum and For the Changing Moon, and works in magazines including The Polyglot, for whom she co-edited Âniskôverberation, celebrating Indigenous languages, (released in December 2024). Her collaborative experiences include choral scores for Journey Song (with Mari Alice Conrad), At First Light, and To Wash the World (with Caleb Nelson), which is set to premiere in March 2025.
"I'm currently drafting a sequel to Urbane,” she noted, “as well as poetry for translation, the score with Caleb, and new work inspired by my journeys with Peace Boat. “Sometimes I can be a lazy bonehead, but I’ll have no excuse not to write this year.”
Sewell’s connections to St. Albert are many, and include being part of the first show of the then new Art Gallery of St. Albert. She’s also sustained friendships within the Metis community (her dad was part of the delegation to see that Metis rights became entrenched in the country’s constitution in 1982).
“St. Albertans are amazing people,” added Sewell, recalling walks at Big Lake. “I hope we can do all sorts of fun things, and that my work will be good for the community. As we come into our elder age, it’s said we should be doing things, so it’s time to show if I’ve learned anything. I promised if I had the way to speak truth and serve, I’d do it.”
Sewell will be stationed at the Strathcona County Library from January through June, and at the St. Albert Public Library from August through December. Area writers can access Writer in Residence programs and services at either library throughout the year.
During their residencies, each writer will devote roughly half of their time to mentoring other writers and the other half to working on personal projects. This balance of mentorship and creative work has been a hallmark of the WIR program, as demonstrated throughout 2024 by the impactful contributions of outgoing WIR Premee Mohamed and Katie Bickell.
Through the year, aspiring and experienced writers in the metro area are offered free one-on-one writing support, creative opportunities, and dozens of writing programs.
