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Jennifer Bowering Delisle discusses her evolution from traditional memoir to hybrid forms and literary community. She reflects on finding her voice through poetry-prose fusion and the importance of mentorship. Centering her work on human connection—from ancestral ties to strangers—she warns that generative AI is a "theft-based" threat to creativity. Delisle advocates for writing communities over networks and shares her slow, iterative approach to the editing process.

In this interview, Liisa Kovala explores her half-century evolution in the writing craft. From her early days of childhood storytelling to earning a Graduate Certificate and being mentored by renowned authors, Liisa emphasizes the necessity of lifelong learning. She shares her "plantsing" method—a balance of structured outlining and creative freedom—and discusses her shift from traditional to self-publishing, including her Global Book Award win and her thriving Substack commu

In an audio essay for On Creative Writing, author Michael Mirolla explores metafiction, a genre that rejects the "mirror of reality" to examine its own artificiality. Tracing its roots from Henry Fielding to Italo Calvino, Michael says metafition's construction takes the place of imitation. He then introduces fictocriticism—a blend of creative and critical forms—and discusses his novel, How About This?, to show how self-reflection and imagination provide a path to literary im

Susan Grundy explores how a childhood spent as a "family fixer" prepared her for a career in literary fiction. As a late-entrant author to the writing world, Susan transitioned from a 30-year marketing career in her early 50s to tackle themes of inherited trauma and psychosis. Now an editor living between Montreal and the UK, Susan shares how reinventing oneself in unfamiliar territory is the key to overcoming intimidation and finding the courage to write what you don’t know.

Iryn Tushabe explores honouring the oral tradition in writing by embedding Rukiga and East African knowledge systems into her English prose as a form of resistance. She shares her "pantser" approach to fiction and essays, stressing the importance of being open to self-discovery during the creative process. From her beginnings at the Humber School for Writers to her belief in nourishing friendships to survive the "arduous" nature of craft, her insights offer a soulful look at

In this interview, poet David Martin explores the craft of experimental poetry, detailing his use of extreme formal limits and scientific lexicons. He looks at his evolution from rigid constraints to more associative styles and shares his unique "debitage" approach—finding inspiration in the fragments of archaeology and history. David offers a look at his meticulous editing process, which relies on time and recording his own voice, while providing a glimpse into his latest wo

On Creative Writing announces the winners of its 2025 poetry contest. We are grateful to sponsors Wolsak and Wynn and River Street Writing, and judges Kim Mannix and Rob Winger, and all the poets who entered the contest. Read more for the winners names and the judges comments!

In this interview, author Sean Minogue discusses his move from northern Ontario’s punk scene to navigating the academic world. He explores writing and the subconcious, how writing for diverse mediums like theatre and fiction has reshaped his approach to revision, and transforming face-plant moments into creative growth. Sean touches on his subconscious process, his current interest in Irish literature, and his methodical daily editing routine.

In this author Q&A, M.S. Berry discusses the "what if?" of thriller writing, explaining how real-life events evolve into unsettling fiction. She reflects on her stylistic growth since 1997, moving from spontaneous imagination to a more critical, tighter craft. Michelle explores recurring themes of dysfunctional families and shifting houses while sharing her love for literary thrillers and offering essential advice: read widely and just write.

Author Mallory Tater discusses her shift from childhood maximalism to a precise, rhythmic drafting style. She explores "Writing the Body" through the lens of identity and survival, investigating how patriarchal structures and purity culture shape our physical and communal lives. From her early start in community contests to her advice on writing work you actually want to read, Mallory offers a restorative look at the creative process.

Holly B. Gutwillinger, a "planster" author, discusses how she reclaimed her authentic voice by returning to heart-centred writing. From childhood crafts to professional storytelling, Holly explore how themes of love and the bond between humans and dogs define their heart-centred writing. After a period of struggling to conform to reader expectations, Holly shares the importance of returning to one's roots and the value of finding a generous community within local writing grou

Holly B. Gutwillinger won the Writers’ Spark Coaching Contest with a project born from a poem about her dogs. After fifty years of searching for her passion, she overcame a loud "inner critic" to embrace creative writing. Her upcoming literary novel, set in Northern Ontario, follows two friends seeking love and rescue dogs whose lives change at a local dog park. Now an MFA student, Holly will receive mentorship from Fiona Fenwick and editing from Sheelagh Caygill to finish he