Children's Author Saumiya Balasubramaniam New Writer in Residence 

HAMILTON, ON – Aug 27, 2025 — If the blank page in front of you is daunting or your story is stuck, Writer in Residence Saumiya Balasubramaniam is here to help.   

As the 2025-26 Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence, Saumiya will provide insights and guidance to aspiring and established writers in person and virtually at McMaster University's Chester New Hall (Room 321) on Mondays 1-4pm and at Central Library Fridays 1:30-4:30pm, beginning September 12 to April 2026. The residency will also give Saumiya time to develop her works in progress.   

You can meet Saumiya at a Welcome Reception on Thursday September 11 at 6:30pm at Central Library (55 York Blvd.).   

Motherhood inspired the children's author to write When I Found Grandma, Two Drops of Brown in a Cloud of White and When I Visited Grandma. "My daughter grew up reading books with me, but as I read to her, I felt very strongly about the stories I wanted to tell," said Saumiya.  

"We are happy to welcome Saumiya as our Writer in Residence and look forward to her engagement with the McMaster and Hamilton community," said Vivian Lewis, Associate Vice-President and University Librarian. 

"Hamilton Public Library is proud to foster local writing talent through the annual program that provides wonderful opportunities for many writers," said HPL Manager of Adult Program Development, Erica Conly.   

Writers of all levels and disciplines can reserve a consultation via Saumiya's booking webpage. She will host workshops and events at HPL throughout the year. Learn more at  hpl.ca/writer-residence.   

The Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence program, established in 1999, is a partnership with McMaster University's Department of English and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University Libraries and Hamilton Public Library. It is supported by the Taylor family.