The Giller Foundation announced that it has created an advisory panel of writers “in an effort to strengthen ties with the literary community.”

The Giller Prize Writers’ Circle is comprised of writers Eric Dupont, Charlotte Gray, Ann-Marie MacDonald, William Ping, Tanya Talaga, and Kai Thomas. The group is an evolving one, the foundation said in a press release announcing the initiative, and new members “with different perspectives” will be invited to join moving forward.

“The Writers’ Circle will serve as an advisory body to The Giller Foundation and to the executive director, offering perspectives and guidance to help shape the Foundation’s approach to supporting the Canadian writing community in ways that are inclusive, impactful, respectful and meaningful,” the foundation said.

The group will meet regularly “to consider how best to serve and strengthen the literary community, and  to support the Foundation’s mission of championing and amplifying Canadian writers and Canadian literature.”

Each member of the Writers’ Circle will serve a two-year term in the position.

Elana Rabinovitch, executive director of the foundation, said the plans to create the Writers’ Circle have been in the works for a few years.

“The last two years were difficult for the Giller Foundation and we have listened carefully to the literary community,” Rabinovitch said via email. “That’s why you are seeing changes to our jury system to be more national as well as more rooted in community by bringing in the voices of independent booksellers. That’s why you are also seeing the launch of a Writers’ Circle this week and outreach to vulnerable communities including the Book Club for Inmates programme.”

The Giller Foundation also announced the new partnership with the nonprofit Book Clubs for Inmates, which brings volunteer-led book clubs and ChIRP (the Children of Inmates Reading Program) into correctional facilities across the country. Under this partnership, the Giller Foundation will provide books to libraries in penitentiaries across Canada.