Connected Studio

Oct 10, 2025 | by Elee Kraljii Gardiner

Introducing VMI’s Connected Studio 

For a few years we have offered six monthly drop-in Zoom sessions expressly for the writers enrolled in the Six-Month Intensive. These meetings create community, provide structure to writers, and are a place to share practical aspects of the writing life.

As of 2026, all six drop-in Zoom sessions, now called the Connected Studio, are included in tuition for all VMI programs, including SOLOS and the Yosef Wosk VMI Fellow, and are open to the public for a paid tuition.

The Connected Studio is open to all!

If you crave community, look forward to check-ins, and like meeting writers who are also interested in exchanging work and ideas, these sessions are for you. Because we love fostering community and have found that contact among our current mentees and graduates is a resource for us all, we are inviting you to join the VMI Connected Studio for an annual fee of $120. Having a one-time fee and allowing drop-in flexibility helps VMI keep things simple on our end while offering you flexibility.

These six sessions will be led by VMI director Elee Kraljii Gardiner with special guests from the literary industry and community.

  • Rachel Letofsky, senior literary agent with Transatlantic Literary Agency on what to know about working with an agent
  • Catriona Strang, senior editor at Talonbooks, sharing the editor’s perspective on poetry and memoir 
  • Petra Chambers, Yosef Wosk VMI Fellow, Best Canadian Poetry and Best Canadian Stories 2026, on submitting your work to journals and publications
  • Dr. Bronwen Tate, Undergraduate Chair in School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia, on how to build and sustain writing groups with methods for feedback

Additionally, some sessions will include writing prompts as well as the chance to share your work.

FAQ

Do I need to be part of VMI to join?

We welcome our currently enrolled writers, graduates, and also the wider public who has yet to participate in VMI mentoring. Being part of the Connected Studio may familiarize you with our program. We welcome your involvement in the future but you don’t need to be a part of VMI to join us.

What makes these sessions special?

These short, intense, collegial sessions are designed to deliver both practical info and creative support. You will experience being in a cohort with VMI community. The slate of guest experts can offer inside track info in the world of publishing, professional writing, and sustained creative practice. These personal meetings allow space for questions and answers that can help you develop as a writer.

What made VMI start the Connected Studio now?

Because mentees can start their mentorships whenever they are ready, at any date in the year and may only be working in the digital sphere, we don’t want to lose what makes VMI unique: community. For that reason, we are opening the Connected Studio with this cycle of six sessions. Conversation and repeated meetings with a core group of people throughout the year can bolster your writing practice.

VMI Director Elee Kraljii Gardiner says, “I love leading the drop-ins. The conversations we hold and the writing prompts we do reveal synchronicities and shared themes. The sessions are great for problem-solving, too. It’s valuable to connect with writers on an ongoing basis where you can ask about issues in your writing and get a frank and specific answer. Our the VMI community shares skills really well. We have a deep pool of literary life knowledge!”

How much does it cost?

The drop-ins cost $120 total for all six meetings and are payable by e-transfer once you have filled out the online application form.

  • If you enrolled in VMI Pro, the Six-Month program, or a SOLO in 2025 you may attend the 2026 drop-ins for free. Our Yosef Wosk VMI Fellow is also welcome.
  • If you join VMI Pro, the Six-Month program, or a SOLO in 2026, or are the 2025 Yosef Wosk VMI Fellow, you may attend for free.

Anyone may join for 2026 for the fee of $120; the fee is the same whether you attend all six sessions or only make it to one. While good faith is the underpinning of all VMI interactions, tuition will not be refunded once paid. VMI will issue a tax receipt upon payment.

What are the dates and times?

All sessions take place on Zoom on the third Saturday of the month from 10am-11am, Pacific Coast time. 

  • January 17, 2026 – Elee Kraljii Gardiner, Director of VMI, Poet Laureate of Vancouver
  • March 21, 2026 – Catriona Strang, senior editor at Talonbooks, sharing the editor’s perspective on poetry and memoir
  • June 20, 2026 – Petra Chambers, Yosef Wosk VMI Fellow, Best Canadian Poetry and Best Canadian Stories 2026, on submitting your work to journals and publications
  • September 19, 2026 – Rachel Letofsky, senior literary agent with Transatlantic Literary Agency on what to know about working with an agent
  • October 17, 2026 – Bronwen Tate, Undergraduate Chair in School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia, on how to build and sustain writing groups with methods for feedback
  • November 21, 2026 – Elee Kraljii Gardiner, Director of VMI, Poet Laureate of Vancouver

Do I have to go to every meeting?

This flexible program is designed to be simple. Participants pay once and may attend as many or as few as sessions as they like. Participants have access to all six sessions but can pick which sessions to attend—we know life gets in the way and a scheduling conflict may arise. That said, we hope that drop-in participation will be more regular rather than one-off. You will be sent a Zoom link and can choose if you want to drop-in or not. No need to RSVP.

How do I enroll?

Fill out the form here. You will receive confirmation and then be asked to e-transfer payment. Once we have received your payment VMI will issue a tax receipt and share a ZOOM link.

We look forward to seeing you!