Julie Sedivy’s love of reading and writing started at an early age. She always had her nose in a book and knew she wanted to be a writer one day.  

Initially she dreamed of writing novels. However, as she began to understand the complexities of language, her journey to become an author took a winding path. As the Library’s 2025 Author in Residence, Julie is sharing some of the lessons she has learned and is helping the community write in a more creative way. 

The science of language 

Julie first discovered linguistics — the science of language — in her first year of university. 

“I was totally mesmerized by the fact that you could actually study language, this medium we use for writing and communicating, in a scientific way,” says Julie. 

Julie then pursued a PhD in Linguistics and studied how people learn, understand, and produce language. She found that language isn’t always accessible to our raw intuition — you have to dissect it and do experiments to understand how we use it. 

While this was a focus for years, she eventually wanted to step outside of the academic realm. Julie says it took her almost a decade to understand her own writing style and what she wanted to express through writing. 

“I think that what I strive for is sparking curiosity and conveying something about the beauty of language and also something valuable about the introspective process. So really examining your experiences, thinking about them from multiple different angles, and just trying to squeeze as much insight out of them as you can,” explains Julie.  

Inspiration at the Library 

Central Library is a familiar space for Julie. Like many of us, it’s a space where she has found inspiration.  

“When I was working on one of my books, Memory Speaks: On Losing and Reclaiming Language and Self, I would make my way to the prow of the Library (fourth floor) in that gorgeous space with the comfy chairs and the amazing windows. Then if it got a little bit loud, I would move to the reading room area to work,” says Julie. 

It was a fitting book to write in this space, as it shares an experience that resonates with many people in our community.  

Julie’s first language was Czech. After moving to Canada, English became much more dominant in her life. Stemming from her own experience, this memoir dives into the science of language loss and the potential for renewal. 

Sharing your experiences in a creative way 

In the same way that Julie has been able to share her experiences, the community will be able to learn how to express themselves with creative writing. 

During her residency at the Library, the public can connect with Julie during her office hours and programs. Julie will help people write about things they are passionate about and express how they feel. There will also be opportunities to learn how to craft better sentences. 

Beyond improving your writing, Julie says creative writing has a way of shifting the way we view the world. 

“Writing makes you pay attention to the world differently because your job as a writer is to convey something that will connect with the reader. You start noticing your own sensory experiences. You start listening to dialogue in a different way. You start reading differently because now you're paying attention to what makes a great story.” 

To book a one-on-one consultation or register for a program with Julie, visit our website. 

Residencies at the Library 

There are six residencies at the Library throughout the year. The Author in Residence program was the first residency and has been offered for over 30 years. Through this program, the Library has hosted many exceptional authors who continue to contribute to Calgary's strong literary community.