‘The Skin We’re In’ challenges white supremacy
This article includes descriptions of violence and may be triggering for some readers. The Peer Support Centre offers drop-in services and empathetic peer-based support and is open from 10 a.m. to …
Omar El Akkad reflects on his writing journey
In November 2021, Queen’s graduate Omar El Akkad took home the Scotiabank Giller Prize for his novel What Strange Paradise.
It’s been a long journey for El Akkad, ArtSci ’05, born in Egypt and move…
Queen’s student releases poetry book
Becoming a published author as a young person can seem impossible. Queen’s student Bella Crysler is re-writing the narrative with her newly released poetry book, Bubblegum and Black Coffee.
Crysler…
Desi love stories for cold winter nights
This article discusses sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers. The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-800-544-6…
Exploring the meaning of family in fiction
As a live-at-home Kingstonian, the end of exam season has always been awkward for me.
I’ve listened to my friends excitedly plan elaborate journeys to return to their loved ones. Meanwhile, my “…
Writer Patricia Robertson hosts short story workshop
Canadian writer Patricia Robertson will host a virtual short story workshop on Nov. 23 through the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL).
Robertson, 73, was born in British Columbia and currentl…
Editor discusses ‘Best Canadian Stories 2021’
On Oct. 19, Best Canadian Stories 2021 was published. It’s the 51st iteration in an annual anthology series of standout short stories by Canadian authors.
Some of the stories in the 2021 edition…
Two modern classics perfect for aspiring writers
I’ve become quite interested in reading so-called ‘modern classics,’ the books published in our lifetime that have won major awards and received frequent praise online.
As a writer, I’m drawn to re…
Watching brown women fall in love in print
There was a long period following high school when I didn’t read fiction for pleasure. University made reading seem like a chore while giving me less time to do it. At the same time, TV and film we…
‘The Corrections’ is a cautionary tale worth revisiting
In the 20 years since its release, The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen has garnered a reputation as a modern literary classic—and with time, its warnings not to take those we love for granted have …
‘Foe’ has only become more relevant with time
Despite being released in 2018, Foe, written by Queen’s alum Iain Reid, has become more topical than ever in 2021.
After Reid, ArtSci ’04, won the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award in 2015, he capti…
Kingston WritersFest kicks off this week
The Kingston WritersFest is back this September. Beginning Sept. 22, this year’s five-day festival features 26 virtual “onstage” events and 12 writing masterclasses.
The Journal spoke with Artis…
Rupi Kaur uses poetry to come home to herself
This article discusses sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers. The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-800-544-6…
KFPL’s Reading Buddies program now includes seniors
The Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) recently expanded their Reading Buddies initiative to include seniors, beginning this July. The program, popularized by its work with children, connects…
‘The Undergraduate Review’ publishes 33rd annual issue
Editor’s Note: Two members of The Journal’s Editorial Board contributed to The Undergraduate Review.
The Undergraduate Review (UR), a Queen’s arts and literature-focused magazine, released their …
Sadiqa de Meijer turns hardship into creativity
Sadiqa de Meijer is a talented writer of poetry, short stories, and essays. Her work has been published in The Walrus and Poetry Magazine.
Like many, de Meijer found herself challenged by the pande…
'Quilt' launches inaugural issue
Editor’s Note: One member of The Journal’s Editorial Board contributed to Quilt.
The first issue of Quilt launched on May 7.
Founded by the 2020-21 English department student council, Quilt is the …
By Chance Alone is a heartrending memory of the holocaust
By Chance Alone tells the harrowing true story of Tibor “Max” Eisen’s imprisonment in concentration camps across Europe during the Holocaust.
Eisen’s experience begins with his middle-class upbrin…
Creative writing class launches anthology
Editor’s note: two members of The Journal’s Editorial Board participated in this event.
“Thank you for being a hero,” Ellen He told Carolyn Smart when it came her turn to thank her creative writing…
The Woo-Woo finds humour in darkness
Lindsay Wong grew up believing that “crying will turn you into a zombie.” Over the next 304 pages of abuse and arguments, she doesn’t cry once. Wong’s memoir The Woo-Woo weaves superstition into he…
Considering forgiveness with Canada Reads’ Suzanne
Writing about family is difficult, but forgiving family for past wrongs is even more so—and that’s how Suzanne by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette succeeds.
Translated into English by Rhonda Mullins, Suzann…
Refocusing the lens of the Syrian war with ‘Homes’
Abu Bakr’s response to a bombing in his hometown: go to his cousin’s house and play FIFA 13.
While this might seem like an inappropriate reaction, it makes perfect sense in Bakr’s and Winnie Yeung…
‘Brother’ is a timely meditation on loss
A eulogy to lost boys and corrupted innocence, David Chariandy’s latest novel, Brother, follows the residents of Scarborough who search in vain for a place to call home.
In the novel, Michael and …
Artist publication makes case for prison reform
In a city famous for its art and prisons, it’s only natural for the two collide.
The Tragically Hip may have put Kingston on the map for some, but long before they were selling out shows, the Limes…
Public Feelings are not Small Potatoes
Art is never just Small Potatoes for Kingston’s zines.
On Jan. 8, Small Potatoes— a micropress collective, made up of Michelle Bunton, Gabriel Cheung, Ella Gonzales and Carina Magazzeni—hosted a z…
Writers weave path as wordsmiths in panel
There’s no direct path to becoming a writer and no clear definition of what that occupation entails.
However, on Friday, four published authors discussed the subject in Watson Hall on behalf of th…
Student poets compete at CUPSI
On Nov. 19, students will vie for the chance to compete in an international slam poetry.
Queen’s University’s College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI) team will be hosting their final qualify…
Jean Chrétien reflects on time in office
For Jean Chrétien, the art of storytelling is never far from politics.
On Saturday, the former Prime Minister sat down with Senator Jim Munsen at the Holiday Inn on Princess Street to talk about hi…
Catherine Hernandez discusses the real-world issues behind Scarborough
Catherine Hernandez teaches lessons from the school of hard knocks.
Hernandez, campus writer-in-residence and author of Queen’s Reads’ Scarborough, moved to her novel’s titular city at age nine, an…
Graphic novel explores sexuality and self-acceptance
After years of hiding his sexuality, Queen’s alum Mark Julien wrote his journey into a graphic novel—Justin Case and the Closet Monster.
On Oct. 19, Julien will return to Kingston to share how th…
