Canadian Literature is Canada’s leading journal of literary scholarship, publishing peer-reviewed scholarly analyses of literatures and cultural objects produced in and about the lands referred to as Canada, original Canadian poetry, critical reviews of significant books in the field of Canadian literature, and commentaries on current, significant global topics. Founded in 1959 by George Woodcock and housed in UBC’s Faculty of Arts, the journal continues to enact a broad spirit of intellectual hospitality while questioning the critical, geographic, national, cultural, and sociological terms that tend to define the field. Welcoming innovative, interdisciplinary, and diverse voices from across cultural and academic backgrounds, Canadian Literature remains a vital platform for unravelling the legacies of colonialism, giving voice to emergent writers, and capturing the attention of global audiences. 

Fiona Tinwei Lam is the author of three books of poetry, Intimate Distances, Enter the Chrysanthemum, and Odes & Laments and a children’s book, The Rainbow Rocket. Shortlisted for the City of Vancouver Book Prize and other awards, her work has been included in over 50 anthologies, including Best Canadian Poetry (2010 and 2020) and Best Canadian Essays (2024).  She co-edited the non-fiction anthology, Double Lives: Writing and Motherhood  with Cathy Stonehouse and Shannon Cowan, and co-edited Love Me True: Writers Reflect on the Ins, Outs, Ups & Downs of Marriage with Jane Silcott.  She edited The Bright Well, a collection of contemporary Canadian poems about facing cancer.  Her award-winning poetry videos have been selected for screening internationally. She teaches at Simon Fraser University (Continuing Studies). She was Vancouver's Poet Laureate 2022-2024. 

Hollay Ghadery is an Iranian-Canadian multi-genre writer living in Ontario on Anishinaabe land. She has her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph.

Fuse, her memoir of mixed-race identity and mental health, was released by Guernica Editions in 2021 and won the 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award for Nonfiction/Memoir. Her collection of poetry, Rebellion Box was released by Radiant Press in 2023, and her collection of short fiction, Widow Fantasies, was released with Gordon Hill Press in fall 2024.

Her debut novel, The Unraveling of Ou, is due out with Palimpsest Press in 2026, and her children’s book, Being with the Birds, with Guernica Editions in 2027.

John Barton (https://www.john-barton.ca) is a poet, essayist, editor, and writing mentor. His collections of poetry include Hymn, For the Boy with the Eyes of the Virgin: Selected Poems, Polari, Lost Family: A Memoir, which was nominated for the 2021 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry, and Compulsory Figures, which will be published in September 2025. His other books include We Are Not Avatar: Essays, Memoirs, Manifestos, Seminal: The Anthology of Canada’s Gay-Male Poets, The Essential Douglas LePan, winner of an eLit Award in 2020, and Best Canadian Poetry 2023. The recipient of three Archibald Lampman Awards, a CBC Literary Award, and a National Magazine Award, he is a life member of the League of Canadian Poets. He lives in Victoria and was the city’s first queer poet laureate.

Lorri Neilsen Glenn is the author and contributing editor of fifteen titles of poetry, creative nonfiction and scholarly work, including her latest work, The Old Moon in Her Arms: Women I Have Known and Been (Nimbus). Halifax’s first Métis Poet Laureate, she was a recipient of Halifax's Women of Excellence award, has had appointments as Writer in Residence across Canada and served as President of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia. Lorri has mentored writers across Canada and in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, and Chile. She divides her time between Halifax and Rose Bay, Nova Scotia. 

A landmark in Victoria's Old Town, Munro's Books has been in business since 1963. Visit our beautiful heritage building and browse an extensive selection of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, children's books, magazines and more. Munro’s has been a sanctuary for readers and writers alike for over 60 years, and their poetry section is unrivaled.

Sage Hill Writing: the place to work on your writing project. Established in Saskatchewan in 1989, Sage Hill Writing is one of Canada’s leading providers of learning opportunities for professional and emerging creative writers. Sage Hill is a forum for writers to engage with the literary community, enhance their skills, and develop their craft. Writers from across Canada come to Sage Hill’s retreats and courses to create and edit new work, supported by accomplished faculty in immersive creative environments. Bring your new or ongoing writing project to Sage Hill’s small-group facilitated retreats and take the next step with your writing among a vibrant community of writers. Whether you are an established or emerging writer, Sage Hill has a program to support you. At Sage Hill, your writing matters. Learn more at sagehillwriting.ca.

Steven Ross Smith enjoys muddling with words, ideas, and books in Victoria, BC. He likes to bend, confuse, and disintegrate that which is most popularly straightened, clarified and constructed in general poetic practice – language, narrativity and meaning. A sound and performance poet, writer of fiction and poetry, he endeavours to work against convention, especially his own. His decades-long westward journey through Canada’s natural, made, and artistic landscapes has stirred continual amazement and myriad literary influences. His writing often juxtaposes disparate threads, as in his seven-book poetic series fluttertongue, and in his 2022 book Glimmer: Short Fictions. The Green Rose, a collaboration with Phil Hall has appeared in two chapbook variations, with above/ground press in 2024, and in 2025 with Lake’s End Press. Smith was Banff Poet Laureate, 2018-21. His newest project – as SloLo Smithy is “Dignity”. Available on Bandcamp: https://slolosmithy.bandcamp.com/track/dignity

The Malahat Review was established in 1967 by University of Victoria English professors Robin Skelton and John Peter. Thereafter, editors have included Constance Rooke, Derk Wynand, Marlene Cookshaw, and John Barton. Micaela Maftei served as interim editor from January to July 2018. Iain Higgins is the current editor (as of July 2018).

The Malahat Review is dedicated to excellence in writing. Its aim is to discover the most promising of the new writers and publish their work alongside the best established writers, to present work accurately and attractively to readers, and to increase awareness of Canadian writing in general through perceptive critical comment. 

This episode of Poet Laureate Podcast is supported by The Tyee, British Columbia’s award‑winning non-profit, reader‑supported news magazine. Since its founding in 2003, The Tyee has offered fact‑driven journalism and cultural reporting with editorial independence, free to all and funded by readers and public‑interest supporters. With a commitment to justice, environmental awareness, and amplifying marginalized B.C. voices, The Tyee consistently holds power accountable and publishes original news and analysis. Learn more at thetyee.ca.