Here are 75 Canadian short stories available free online

May is short story month! Celebrate by reading a great Canadian short story.

Kevin Hardcastleis an author from Ontario.His debut short story collection,Debris,won theTrillium Book Award in 2016and hisfirstnovel,In the Cage,came out in 2017. He posted a roundup of short stories to read online on his personal websitein 2020, which was adapted for CBC Books. This is an updated and adapted version of that original list we have deletedstories no longer available online and added stories that have since been published on CBC Books.

• The CBC Poetry Prize is open for Canadian writers from April 1 to June 1

You can also read a story by Hardcastle, Montana Border, that was published by The Walrus.

Why Kevin originally curated this list

"The past few months have been filled with uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for almost everybody, including those who write, publishand sell literature across the country. Books that were to launch this spring and summer have had to be released into the world without in-person readings and tour appearances. Festivals have had their authors and panellists recreate the experience online, as best they can, and as long as they have enough Internet to make it happen. Publishing houses are trying to find ways to draw attention to new books and voicesand some authors have been left to do what they can to promote their work, while at the mercy of an industry scrambling to adapt.

"Nonetheless, people are sharing their own work and the work of writers that they admire. Those who love books have been doing what they can to keep people connected. The Writers' Trust has run online panels and created a fund for writers in need. The FOLD broadcast their festival onlineand continue on with their webinar series, giving crucial voices a platform. Renowned writers like David Robertson, Heather O'Neill, Vivek Shraya and Waubgeshig Ricehave been reading prose and poetry or talking to their readers live on social media. Independent booksellers are delivering books or leaving them curbside so that we can stay home and get lost in those stories for a time.

The writing community I found, and some of the best new writing I read in past years, came as a result of writing, reading, and sharing short fiction.- Kevin Hardcastle

"But literature might still be hard to come by for readers who are unable to afford new booksor who are in rural areas without access to booksellers, reliable Internetand, of course, their public libraries.

"Luckily, there is a treasure trove of short fiction that has been published in journals over the years, and much of it actually published or archived online. The writing community I found, and some of the best new writing I read in past years, came as a result of writing, reading, and sharing short fiction. SoI thought that curating a list of short stories by Canadian, Indigenousand Mtis authors would be a fine way to read some literatureand to lend support. Many of those on the list have books out recently, or right now, and perhaps this is a way to lead readers further to those.

"Here are some stories by writers you may or may not know, along with stories that have been discovered through the CBC Short Story Prize."

Meditations on a Lakeby Anuja Varghese

Anuja Vargheseis a Hamilton, Ont.-based writer and editor. Her stories have been recognized in the Prism International Short Fiction Contest and the Alice Munro Festival Short Story Competition and nominated for the Pushcart Prize.Varghesewon the 2023Governor General's Literary Award for fictionand the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for her story collectionChrysalis.

Meditations on a Lakewas published by CBC Books as part of a partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

Tupeloby Jack Wong

Jack Wong is a Halifax-based author and illustrator who was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Vancouver. Wongwon the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustrated booksfor his picture bookWhen You Can Swim, which he wrote and illustrated.

Tupelowas published by CBC Booksas part of a partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

Lilly in the Wintertimeby Sheila Heti

Sheila Heti is a Canadian playwright and author whose work has been translated in over a dozen languages.Pure Colourwas also shortlisted for theRathbones Folio Prize in 2023. Hetiwon the 2022Governor General's Literary Award for fictionfor her novelPure Colour. Her latest novel is Alphabetical Diaries.

Lilly in the Wintertimewas published by CBC Booksas part of a partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

This Story is Against Resilience, Supports Screaming As Neededby Jen Ferguson

Jen Ferguson is an author, activist and academic of Michif/Mtis and Canadian settler heritagebased in Los Angeles. Shehas a PhD in English and creative writing. Her work includes the 2016 novelBorder Markersand her essayOff Balancewas featured inBest Canadian Essays 2020.Ferguson won thewonthe 2022 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature textfor her YA novelThe Summer of Bitter and Sweet,her debut YA novel.

This Story is Against Resilience, Supports Screaming As Neededwas published by CBC Booksas part of a partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

Old Bonesby Kate Gunn

Kate Gunn grew up on Galiano Island off the west coast of British Columbia. She currently lives and works in Vancouver. Her short fiction has previously appeared in Prism International and the Antigonish Review.

Old Bonesmade the2024 CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Lamentationsby Miriam Ho Nga Wai

Miriam Ho Nga Wai is an architect and writer based in Toronto. Her stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Nimrod and Ecotone. She has been longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and was a finalist for the Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction. She is a founding editor of the award-winning Canadian journal -SITE Magazine, and a former fiction editor at Guernica. Drawing on a background in architecture, her work explores themes of place, memory and longing. In the stolen hours before her daughter wakes up, she is hard at work on a novel and a short story collection.

Lamentationsmade the2024 CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

How to Make a Friendby Zilla Jones

Zilla Jones is an African-Canadian woman writing on Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg). Her stories appear in Prairie Fire, The Malahat Review, Prism International, The Fiddlehead, FreeFall Magazine, the Ex-Puritan, Room Magazine, Bayou Magazine and The Journey Prize Stories. In 2023, she was a Journey Prize winner and a finalist in the Writers' Trust RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. She has also won the Malahat Review Open Season Award, the Jacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction, the FreeFall short fiction award and placed second in the Prairie Fire and Austin Clarke contests. Her debut novel,The World So Wide, and a short fiction collection,So Much To Tell, are forthcoming with Cormorant Books in 2025 and 2026.

How to Make a Friendmade the2024 CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Jones previously made the2020 CBC Short Story Prize longlistforOur Fatherand has longlisted twice for earlier versions ofHow to Make a Friend, in 2022 and 2023.

The Babyby Kailash Srinivasan

Born and raised in India, Kailash Srinivasan now lives in Vancouver. His writing highlights fractures of all kinds: personal, societal, economic, religious and political. He also writes about injustice and inequality. His work has appeared in publications such as Identity Theory, Midway Journal, Snarl, Hunger, XRAY, Coachella Review, Selkie, Oyster River Pages, Sidereal and Lunch Ticket. He was shortlisted for the 2024 Malahat Review Open Season Awards Fiction, the 2023 Bridport Prize for Fiction and the 2022 Bristol Short Story Prize. He also received an honourable mention for the 2023 Craft First Chapters Contest. He's currently at work on his first novel.

The Babymade the2024 CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Srinivasan was on the 2024 CBC Short Story Prize longlist twice: forDisprinand forThe Baby. He previously made the2023 CBC Short Story Prize longlistfor an earlier version ofThe Baby.

Permission to Pauseby Carley Thorne

Carley Thorne is a comedian and writer living in Toronto. She is a Jack Whyte Storyteller's Award winner and her writing has been shortlisted for the 2023 Federation of BC Writers Contest Short Fiction. She has performed as a part of the JFL42 comedy festival and as an understudy at the Second City Toronto. Alongside Blair Macmillan, she is the creator and co-host ofGirl Historians, a comedy podcast about history. The current season is all about the Salem Witch Trials. She is currently working on a novel.

Permission to Pausemade the2024 CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Dear Mby Clara Chalmers

Clara Chalmers is a King's College London dropout and ex-perfectionist. She writes profusely but often in secret. Her laptop is littered with poems, short stories and the corpses of abandoned novels. As she sheds her perfectionist tendencies, she hopes some of her words will escape into the open and impact a wider audience.

Dear MThe Babymade the2023CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Eel Broth for Growing Childrenby Helen Han Wei Luo

Helen Han Wei Luo is a writer, artist and philosophy PhD student at Columbia University. She holds a BA in political science from Simon Fraser University and an MA in philosophy from the University of British Columbia. Her poemConsider the Peonyappears in theBest of Canadian Poetry 2023anthology. She is currently working on a novella titledElegy for Daji, a radical feminist retelling of Shang dynasty Chinese mythology. In Vancouver, she paints hummingbirds, tunes violins, touches trees. In New York, she photographs flamboyant subway rats. She previously made the2020 CBC Short Story Prize longlistforAranaj, the Fishmonger Who Wept for the Fishand she was also on the2016 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlistforCharacter.

Eel Broth for Growing Childrenmade the2023CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Just a Howlby Will Richter

Will Richter is a writer living in Vancouver. Stories of his have appeared or are forthcoming in various literary magazines in Canada and the U.S., including Arts & Letters, The Fiddlehead, Fiction International, subTerrain, The Threepenny Review and Witness. Will has also written and collaborated on several comic shorts for Rogue Wave Comics, based in Dsseldorf, Germany. He's currently working on a collection of short stories and a novel. He previously made the2021 CBC Short Story Prize longlistforProverbs of the Lesserand was alsolonglisted in 2019for his storyAt a Distance.

Just a Howlwon the2022CBC Short Story Prizeand was published by CBC Books.

Marriageby Nicholas Ruddock

Nicholas Ruddock is a physician and writer who has worked in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Yukon and Ontario. Has had novels, short stories, poetry published since 2002 in Canada, U.K., Ireland and Germany. He is married to the artist Cheryl Ruddock, with four children. He is the author of the 2021 novelLast Hummingbird of West Chileand previously made the2016 CBC Poery Prize longlistforStormas well as the2016 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlistforThe Hummingbirds.

Marriagemadethe2023CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Bird Emergentby Katie Welch

Katie Welch writes fiction and teaches music in Kamloops, B.C. Her debut novel,Mad Honey, is a2023 OLA Evergreen Prize nominee. She grew up in Ottawa and holds a BA in English literature from the University of Toronto. Her short stories have been published in Event Magazine, Prairie Fire, the Antigonish Review, the Temz Review, the Quarantine Review and elsewhere. She was first runner-up in UBCO's 2019 Short Story Contest, and her storyPoisoned Applewas chosen as Pick-of-the-Week by Longform Fiction. She is currently working on her next novel.

Bird Emergentmadethe2023CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Me Against Jim Baileyby Susanna Cupido

Susanna Cupido is a student from New Brunswick. Sheis studying for her MFA in creative writing at Cornell University. Her poemThe Doorwon the Accenti Poetry Contest in 2021.

Me Against Jim Baileymadethe2022CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Desire PathbyJeremy Elder

Jeremy Elder is a Toronto-based advertising copywriter and part-time aspiring poet.His personal creative writing explores his own history and aims to add to the legacy of queer literature, art, storytellingand community that has always deeply inspired him.Desire Pathis his first work of personal fiction.

Desire Pathmadethe2022CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Dinner With Friendsby Nancy Hui Sulaiman

Nancy Hui Sulaiman is a Chinese Canadian writer fromLaSalle, Ont. She has a Honours BA from the University of Windsor in English literature and communication studies and a MA in journalism from Western University. She is currently working on writing short stories and a novel. In 2020, her story,What Fits in the Palm of Your Hand, was chosen as a runner-up in the Little Birds Contest from the Sarah Selecky Writing School.

Dinner With Friendsmadethe2022CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Nesting SeasonbyAnna Ling Kaye

Anna Ling Kayeis a writer and editor based in Vancouver. Her fictionwon the 2021 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writersand has been shortlisted for the RBC/PEN Canada New Voices Award and the Journey Prize.

Nesting Seasonmadethe2022CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Beneath the Softness of Snowby Chanel M. Sutherland

Chanel M. Sutherlandwon the 2021 CBC Nonfiction prizefor her storyUmbrellaand is the recipient of the 2022 Mairuth Sarsfield Mentorship, a component of the Quebec Writers' Federation Fresh Pages initiative. Born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Chanel moved to Montreal when she was 10years old. She holds a BA in English literature from Concordia Universityand is currently writing her first book, a collection of short stories that explore the Black Caribbean immigrant experience.

Beneath the Softness of Snowwonthe2022CBC Short Story Prizeand was published by CBC Books.

Kids in Kindergartenby Corinna Chong

Corinna Chong received her MA in English and creative writing from the University of New Brunswick. Her first novel,Belinda's Rings, was published in 2013. In 2023, she published the short story collectionThe Whole Animalwhich includes her prize-winning storyKids in Kindergarten.Her reviews and short fiction have been published in magazines across Canada, includingThe Malahat Review,Room,GrainandThe Humber Literary Review.She teaches English and fine arts at Okanagan College in Kelowna, B.C.

Kids in Kindergartenwonthe2021CBC Short Story Prizeand was published by CBC Books.

Deville at Homeby Brooks McMullin

Brooks McMullin is a university lecturer of literature and composition, who writes short stories, novels and screenplays. He was a runner up in the 2012CBC Short Story Prize, withPax, and was a quarter-finalist in 2006 Zoetrope screenwriting contest for the feature-length script,Coal War.

Deville at Homemadethe2021CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Stumpby Miranda Morris

Miranda Morris is a writer, illustrator and multi-instrumentalist currently based in Hamilton. She grew up in the Georgian Bay woods north of Parry Sound, where she returned to quarantine following a year of playing trombone in a 12-piece funk band in New Orleans. After graduating Ryerson University's film production BFA program, specializing in screenwriting and production design, she split her time between Toronto and Louisiana for 10years working in film, riding Greyhound buses and doodling. She's seen a UFO and one time she danced with Bruce Springsteen in Moncton. She's now working on a collection of short stories.

Stumpmadethe2021CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Leaving Moonbeamby Ben Pitfield

Ben Pitfield is a writer, filmmaker and tree planter from Toronto. He holds degrees in literature and business from the University of Rochester and has planted 750,000 trees in northern forests. He is a staff writer for the UK-based art journalSepiaand his poetry and short fiction have been published in journals in Canada and the U.S. He is currently at work on a novel, a thriller, set in the world of remote communities and bush camps.

Leaving Moonbeammadethe2021CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Her First Palestinianby Saeed Teebi

Saeed Teebi is a writer and lawyer based in Toronto. He was born to Palestinian parents in Kuwait, and, after some time in the US, has lived in Canada since 1993. His writing frequently engages the immigrant experience and his Palestinian background. His collection of short storiesHer First Palestinian, features this story andwas afinalist for the 2022 Atwood Gibson Writers's Trust Fiction Prize.

Her First Palestinianmadethe2021CBC Short Story Prize shortlist and was published by CBC Books.

Three Tshakapesh Dreams by Samuel Archibald

Samuel Archibald is a Montreal-based short story writer. His debut collection of short stories entitledArvidawhich is also the name of Archibald's hometown in Quebec was nominated for the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize and was a finalist inCombat des Livres2013, defended byBernard Landry. The book was translated from French to English by Donald Winkler.

• Samuel Archibald on what it takes to be a writer

Three Tshakapesh Dreamswas published by The Walrus.

Imperfect Homes by AndrBabyn

AndrBabyn is a writer and editor from Toronto. His short stories have ben published inMaisonneuve, theFanzine,Hobart andGrain.His novelEvie of the Deepthornwas published in spring 2020.

Imperfect Homes was published by Hobart Pulp.

War of Attritionby Carleigh Baker

Carleigh Baker is a nhiyaw pihtawikosisn/Icelandic writer from Vancouver. Herdebut short story collection,Bad Endings,won the City of Vancouver Book Award in 2017and was a finalist for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and the Emerging Indigenous Voices Award for fiction.

• Why Carleigh Baker was lost until she wrote a short story collection

War of Attritionwas published by Joyland.

Cowan by Kris Bertin

Kris Bertin is a writer from Halifax. He won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award for his debut short story collectionBad Things Happen. He is also the author of the short story collection Use Your Imagination! and the graphic novelsThe Case of The Missing Menand The Cursed Hermit, which wereillustrated byAlexander Forbes.

Cowanwas published by The Walrus.

The Three Times Ruleby Becky Blake

Becky Blake is a writer and teacher from Toronto. She won the 2013 CBC Short Story Prizeand the 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize. She is also the author of the YA novelProof I Was Here.

• Why Becky Blake wrote a story about understanding the world and our place in it

The Three Times Rulewon the 2013 CBC Short Story Prize.

Moriah by Paige Cooper

Paige Cooper is an author and short story writerfrom Montreal. Her work has appeared inThe Journey Prize StoriesandBest Canadian Storiesanthologies. Her first published book, the short story collectionZolitude,won the 2018 Concordia University First Book Prize, was onthe longlist for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prizeand was a finalist for the2018 Governor General's Literary Award for fiction.

• How Paige Cooper sees creativity

Moriah was published by Gulf Coast.

Esperanza by Trevor Corkum

Trevor Corkumis a writer and teacher who lives in Toronto and Prince Edward Island. He has been nominated forthe Journey Prize, a National Magazine Award, a Western Magazine Award, theCBC Short Story Prizeand theCBC Nonfiction Prize.He was on the2019 CBC Short Story Prize longlistforSaving Face. Corkum's debut novelThe World After Uswill be published in 2025.

Esperanzawas published by Joyland.

Hashtag Maggie Vandermeer by Nancy Jo Cullen

Nancy Jo Cullen is a fiction writer and poet living in Toronto. She is the author of the novelThe Western Alienation Merit Badge, the short story collection Canary and four poetry collections: Nothing Will Save Your Life,Science Fiction Saint,untitled child andPearl.

Hashtag Maggie Vandermeerwas published by This Magazine.

Gibson by Brenda Damen

Brenda Damen is a writer from Calgary. Her short story Gibson won the 2020 CBC Short Story Prize. It was the first writing competition Damen ever entered and Gibson is herfirst published work.

• How Brenda Damen wrote the story that won the 2020 CBC Short Story Prize

Firebugs by Craig Davidson

Craig Davidson is a writer originally from St. Catharines, Ont.He has published several works of fiction, includingCataract City, which was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2013,Rust and Bone, which was made into an Oscar-nominated feature film of the same name,The FighterandThe Saturday Night Ghost Club. He is also the author of the memoir Precious Cargo, whichwasdefended byGreg JohnsononCanada Reads2018.He also writes horror novels under the name Nick Cutter.

• Craig Davidson's best writing advice? Find a routine and stick to it

Firebugswas published by The Walrus.

After 'While by Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimalineis a bestselling Mtis author best known for her YA novelThe Marrow Thieves.The Marrow Thieves, was named one ofTime magazine's top 100 YA novels of all timeand was championed byJully BlackonCanada Reads2018. Her other books includeVenCo,Red Rooms,The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy,A Gentle HabitandEmpire of Wild.

• The message Cherie Dimaline has for young Indigenous readers

After 'Whilewas published by CBC Books.

The Goddess Lisa by Erin Frances Fisher

Erin Frances Fisher is a writer and musician based in Victoria. She published her debut short story collection,That Tiny Life, in 2018 and was a finalist for the Ethel Wilson fiction Prize and Danuta Gleed Literary Award. Her work has been published in publications like Granta, Little Fiction, The Malahat Review andPRISM international.

• 'Never be embarrassed for loving a book:' Words of wisdom from short story writer Erin Frances Fisher

The Goddess Lisawas published byLittle Fiction.

What You Need by Andrew Forbes

Andrew Forbes's first short story collectionWhat You Needwas a finalist for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and Trillium Book Award.His stories have been published widely, appearing in publications like The Feathertale Review, Little Fiction, PRISM International, New Quarterly and Maisonneuve Magazine. He is based in Peterborough, Ont. His novellaMcCurdle's Arm: A Fictionand novelThe Diapauseare forthcoming.

What You Needwas published by Little Fiction.

Smileyby Jane Eaton Hamilton

Jane Eaton Hamilton is an award-winning writer whose work spans fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Theirbooks include WEEKEND,love will burst into a thousand shapes, Hunger andJuly Nights. They havetwice won the CBC Short Story Prize and their work has been included in the Journey Prize Anthology and Best Canadian Stories.

Smiley won the 2014 CBC Short Story Prize.

Complicit by Khalida Venus Hassan

Khalida Venus Hassan is a short story writer and literary assistant based in Toronto. In 2018, she was a finalist for the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. She is working on her first collection of short stories.

Complicit was published by The Puritan.

Witchingby Alix Hawley

AlixHawley is a writer from B.C. She won the 2017CBC Short Story Prizefor her storyWitching.She was also the winner of the 2015 Amazon.ca First Novel Award and the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize for her debut novel,All True Not a Lie in It,a book that fictionalizedthe life of Pennsylvania QuakerDaniel Boone. Her 2018 novelMy Name is a Knifecontinues the story of Daniel Boone.

• How Alix Hawley wrote the story that won the CBC Short Story Prize

Witching won the 2017 CBC Short Story Prize.

Don't Come In Here by Andrew Hood

Andrew Hood has published two short story collections,The CloacaandPardon Our Monsters, the latter of which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award in 2007. His work has appeared in publications like Maisonneuve, PRISM International and The New Quarterly. Hood lives in Guelph, Ont.

Don't Come In Herewas published byThe Coast.

Enigmaby David Huebert

David Huebert won the CBC Short Story Prize in 2016 and went on to publish a full collection of short fiction, titledPeninsula Sinking. The book won the Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award and was shortlisted for the Alistair MacLeod Short Fiction Prize and Danuta Gleed Literary Award. Huebertis from Halifax. His debut novel,Oil People, will be out in fall 2024.

• How David Huebert turned winning a CBC Literary Prize into a stunning short story collection

Enigma won the 2016 CBC Short Story Prize.

The Very First Girl in the World to Win the Dakar by Amy Jones

Amy Jones' debut novel,We're All in this Together,was a national bestseller and finalist for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Herbooks include the novelsEvery Little Piece of MeandPebble and Dove and the short story collection What Boys Like. She currently lives in Toronto.

• Amy Jones on finding the humour in family drama

The Very First Girl in the World to Win the Dakarwas published byThe Puritan.

MinebyDaniel Sarah Karasik

Daniel Sarah Karasikhas published drama, poetry and fiction. Their books includeFaithful and Other Stories, HungryandLittle Death. They live in Toronto. Theywon the 2012CBC Short Story Prize.

• What Daniel Sarah Karasik learned from editing his younger self

Mine won the 2012 CBC Short Story Prize.

Thrown Overboard, Manacled in a Box by Cody Klippenstein

Cody Klippenstein is an award-winning short story writer. Her work has won the Zoetrope: All-Story short fiction contest and The Fiddlehead Short Fiction contest. She splits her time between Canada and the U.S.

Thrown Overboard, Manacled in a Boxwas published byJoyland.

The Stunt by Michael LaPointe

Michael LaPointe is a writer and critic based in Toronto. His work has been published in The Atlantic, The New Yorker and the NewYork Times. He is also a columnist for The Paris Review. His debut novel isThe Creep.

The Stuntwas published byHazlitt.

Lagomorph by Alexander MacLeod

Born in Inverness, Cape Breton and raised in Windsor, Ont., Alexander MacLeod is a short story writer and academic.His debut short story collectionLight Liftingwas shortlistedfor the 2010 ScotiabankGiller Prize, the 2011 Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award and the Commonwealth Prize. It won the Atlantic Book Award.Lagomorphwon a 2019O. Henry Award and is part of his fiction collectionAnimal Person.

Lagomorphwas published byGranta.

One Hundred Knives in the Air by Pasha Malla

Pasha Malla was born in St. John's, grew up in London, Ont.and now lives in Toronto.Malla's debut short story collection,TheWithdrawal Method,was shortlisted for theCommonwealth Prizeand longlisted for theScotiabank Giller Prize and his first novel,People Park, was a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award. His most recent novel is Kill the Mall.

• Pasha Malla on the creative mindset needed to be a successful author

One Hundred Knives in the Airwas published byThe Walrus.

Neutral Buoyancy by J.R. McConvey

J.R. McConvey is a writer and documentary producer from Toronto. His work has appeared in publications likeThe Malahat Review, Joylandand others. His debut short story collection wasDifferent Beasts,published in September 2019. His novelFalse Bodiesis forthcoming in 2024.

Neutral Buoyancywas published byJoyland.

Hard to Know by Sophie McCreesh

Sophie McCreesh is a fiction writer based in Toronto. Her work has been appeared in Peach Mag, Bad Dog Review, Hobart Pulp and other publications. She is the author of Once More, With Feelingpublished in 2021.

Hard to Knowwas publishedby Hobart Pulp.

In the Dark by Sarah Meehan Sirk

Sarah Meehan Sirk is a radio producer and writer. Her first book was the short story collection,The Dead Husband Project.She lives in Toronto.

• Why Sarah Meehan Sirk says we're all yearning for connections

In the Darkwas published by Joyland.

Harold by Michael Melgaard

Michael Melgaard is a short story writer from Toronto. His booksare theshort fiction collection,Pallbearing, and the novel Not That Kind of Place. His work has appeared in Joyland, Bad Nudes, The Puritan and other publications.

Haroldwas published by Joyland.

Lipstick Day by Leah Mol

Leah Mol has an MFA in creative writing from UBC. She works as a proofreader, writer and piano teacher. She currently lives in Toronto. Her debut novel isSharp Edges.

• How Leah Mol wrote the story that won the CBC Short Story Prize

Lipstick Day won the 2019 CBC Short Story Prize.

Bliss by Sofia Mostaghimi

Sofia Mostaghimi is a fiction writer and editor based in Toronto. Her work has been longlisted for the Journey Prize and published in The Puritan and The Unpublished City. Her novel isDesperada.

Blisswas published by The Puritan.

The Many Faces of Montgomery Clift by Grace O'Connell

Grace O'Connell is the author of the novelsBe Ready for the LightningandMagnified World.Her writing has appeared in publications like The Walrus, the Globe and Mail and Elle Canada. She lives in Toronto.

• Why Grace O'Connell wrote about strained family relationships and a crisis situation

The Many Faces of Montgomery Cliftwas published by Taddle Creek.

A Song for Robin by Heather O'Neill

HeatherO'Neillis a novelist, short story writer and essayist from Montreal. ShewonCanada Reads2024, championingThe Futureby Catherine Leroux, translated by Susan Ouriou. O'Neillis the first person to winCanada Readsas both an author and a contender. Her debut novelLullabies for Little CriminalswonCanada Reads2007 when it wasdefended by musician John K. Samson.

O'Neill became the first back-to-back finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize when her novelThe Girl Who Was Saturday Nightand short story collectionDaydreams of Angelswere shortlisted in consecutive years. Her books also include the novelsWhen We Lost Our HeadsandThe Lonely Hearts Hotel..She lives in Montreal.

• Heather O'Neill finds wisdom in an eccentric father's advice

A Song for Robinwas published by Literary Hub.

Accidental by Julie Paul

Julie Paul is a fiction writer and poet who lives in Victoria, B.C. She's published three short story collections,Meteorites, The Pull of the MoonandThe Jealousy Bone,and two poetry collections,The Rules of the Kingdom and Whiny Baby.

Accidentalwas published by The New Quarterly.

Had It and Lost It by Ryan Paterson

Ryan Paterson's writing has appeared in Riddle Fence and Write Across Canada: An Anthology of Emerging Writers. He lives in Windsor, Ont.

Had It and Lost Itwas published by The New Quarterly.

Green VelvetbyKrzysztof Pelc

Krzysztof Pelc is a professor of political science at McGill University. He is the author ofMaking and Bending International Rules and Beyond Self-Interest, and he is completing a novel, titledThe Sexual Lives of Plants,about lust, language and authoritarianism.

• How Krzysztof Pelc wrote the story that won the 2019 CBC Short Story Prize

Green Velvet won the 2018 CBC Short Story Prize.

Chaser by Daniel Perry

Daniel Perry has published two collections of short fiction,Nobody Looks That Young HereandHamburger.His work has appeared in publications like The Dalhousie Review, Exile, Little Fiction and others. He lives in Toronto.

Chaserwas published by Little Fiction.

I Know What You Are, and Real by Sara Peters

Sara Peters has published two books,1996andI Become a Delight to My Enemies. Shelives in Toronto.

I Know What You Are, and Realwas published by Sara Peters.

How Long and What a Marvel by Zoey Leigh Peterson

Zoey Leigh Peterson has published short fiction in The Walrus, EVENT, Grain, PRISM International, Best Canadian Stories and other publications. Her debut novelNext Year, For Sure was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2017.

• How Zoey Leigh Peterson wrote a novel about an open relationship that's not really about an open relationship

How Long and What a Marvelwas published by The Walrus.

A Love Like in the Movies by Casey Plett

Plett is the Canadian author ofA Dream of a Woman,Little Fish,A Safe Girl to Love. She is a winner of the Amazon First Novel Award, the Firecracker Award for Fiction and a two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award. Her work has also been nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Plett splits her time between New York City and Windsor, Ont.

• Casey Plett reflects on how we can mark the passage of time when every day is the same

A Love Like in the Movieswas published by Rookie Mag.

Summer '16 by Natasha Ramoutar

Natasha Ramoutar is a writer based in Scarborough, Ont. Her work has been published in The Unpublished City II, PRISM Magazine, Roomand other places. Her first poetry book,Bittersweet,waspublished in 2020.

Summer '16was published by Open Book.

Heart Lake by Rudrapriya Rathore

Rudrapriya Rathoreis a fiction writer who has published work in the Hart House Review, The Puritan and The Walrus. She received the Irving Layton Award for fiction in 2014. She lives in Toronto.

Heart Lakewas published by Joyland.

We Walked on Water by Eliza Robertson

Eliza Robertson has published two books, the acclaimed short story collectionWallflowers,and award-winning novelDemi-Gods.She lives in Montreal.

• Why rhythm drives Eliza Robertson's writing process

We Walked on Waterwas published by Granta.

Common Whipping by Naben Ruthnum

Ruthnum is a Toronto author, writer and journalist. He is the author of the memoirCurry: Eating, Reading, and Raceand the novelsHelpmeetandA Hero of Our Time.He has also written the thrillersFind You In The DarkandYour Life is Mineunder the pen name Nathan Ripley.

• WhyNaben Ruthnum had to become Nathan Ripley to write his first mystery novel

Common Whippingwas published by Granta.

Goat by Andrew F. Sullivan

Andrew F. Sullivan is a writer based in Hamilton. Hiswork has been nominated for National Magazine Awards and appeared in The Globe and Mail and The Walrus. His books includethe novelsWaste and The Marigoldand the short story collectionAll We Want is Everything.

• How Andrew F. Sullivan turned tough-guy tall tales into a very violent novel

Goatwas published by Joyland.

Multicoloured Lights by Jess Taylor

Jess Taylor is the author of two collections of short fiction,Just PervsandPauls, and the novel Play.The title story ofPaulswon the 2013 Gold Fiction National Magazine Award, whileJust Pervswas afinalist for the 2020 Lambda Literary Award in Bisexual Fiction.She lives in Toronto.

Multicoloured Lightswas published by Notes and Queries.

Mom is in Love with Randy Travis by Souvankham Thammavongsa

Souvankham Thammavongsais an award-winning author and poet whose debut short story collection,How to Pronounce Knife,won the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Her poetry collections include the Trillium Book Award winnerLight,the ReLit Award winnerSmall Arguments and2019'sCluster,a wide-ranging collection of ruminations on nature, family and politics written in Thammavongsa's celebrated minimalist style.Clusterwas a2020 finalist for the Pat Lowther Memorial Award.

Mom is in Love with Randy Traviswas published by Electric Literature.

1 Dog, 1 Knife by Daniel Scott Tysdal

Daniel Scott Tysdal is an award-winning poet whose books includeThe Mourner's Book of AlbumsandPredicting the Next Big Advertising Breakthrough Using a Potentially Dangerous Method. His debut short story collection is Wave Forms and Dooms Scrolls.He teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

1 Dog, 1 Knifewas published by The Puritan.

Show Me Yours by Richard Van Camp

Richard Van Camp is a TlichoDene writer from Fort Smith, N.W.T. who has written over 20 books acrossmultiple genres. His graphic novelA Blanket of Butterflieswas nominated for an Eisner Award and his children's bookLittle You, illustrated by Julie Flett,was translated into Bush Cree, Plains Cree, South Slavey andChipewyan.

Van Camp's seminal 1996 novelThe Lesser Blessedwas adapted into a film by First Generation Films. His other books includeMoccasin Square Gardens,Angel Wing Splash Pattern,Night MovesandWe Sang You Home.

• Richard Van Camp: 10 books that have 'marked my soul'

Show Me Yourswas published by The Walrus.

I Want It All, I Want it Now by Ian Williams

Ian Williams is a Vancouver-based poet, fiction writer and academic from Brampton, Ont. Hewon theGiller Prizein 2019 for his novelReproduction. Hisother books include thepoetry collectionPersonals,theshort fiction collectionNot Anyone's Anythingand the essay collectionDisorientation.He is currently a professor at the University of Toronto. He is the 2024 CBC Massey Lecturer.

• 6 books that inspired Scotiabank Giller Prize winner Ian Williams

I Want It All, I Want it Nowwas published by Fashion.

Mountain Under Seaby D.W. Wilson

D. W. Wilson is the author ofOnce You Break a Knuckle, a collection of short stories, andBallistics, a novel. In 2011 he won the BBC National Short Story Award forThe Dead Roads.He wonthe Manchester Fiction Prize and theCBC Short Story Prizein 2015.

• D.W. Wilson on songwriting and fighting his father

Mountain Under Sea won the 2015 CBC Short Story Prize.

Difficult People by Catriona Wright

Catriona Wright has published a poetry collection,Table Manners,as well as a collection of short fiction,Difficult People. Her work has appeared in publications like Geist, Joyland, Grain and Room. She is the poetry editor at The Puritan.

Difficult Peoplewas published by Joyland.