BIO: Bianca Lakoseljac is a novelist, short story writer, poet, and essayist. She is a published author of two novels, a collection of short stories, and a book of poetry. She holds an MA and an Honours BA in English Literature from York University. Bianca is the recipient of the Matthew Ahern Memorial Award in Literature. She won the Book Excellence Award for Fiction. Over a ten year period, she taught communication at Humber College and Ryerson University.

Bianca was the Open Book Toronto Writer in Residence in 2016. She was the Writers Union of Canada’s liaison for the National Reading Campaign; sat on the Writers Union’s National Council; is past president of the Canadian Authors Association, Toronto; and sat on the Book and Periodical Council’s Board as well as the Freedom of Expression Committee for a number of years. She has judged national literary contests such as the National Capital Writing Contest, the Canadian Aid Literary Award Contest, the Dr. Drummond Poetry Contest, and has served on literary awards panels for the Writers Union of Canada and the League of Canadian Poets (novels, short stories, poetry).

Books in Print:

Stone Woman, a novel, 2016, Guernica Editions.

A family saga of five women whose lives are bound by a Vietnam War draft dodger from the hippie daze of Toronto. Issued in print and electronic formats. ISBN 978-1-55071-987-1 (paperback).–ISBN 978-1-55071-988-8 (epub). –ISBN 978-1-55071-989-5 (mobi)

Summer of the Dancing Bear, a novel, 2012, Guernica Editions. Set in the countryside near Belgrade, the novel explores the rite of passage of a fourteen year old girl befriended by a gypsy clan.

Bridge in the Rain, 2010, Guernica Editions. A collection of short stories set in present day Toronto and linked by an inscription on a bench in High Park.

 Memoirs of a Praying Mantis, 2009, Turtle Moons Press, Ottawa. A collection of poetry that explores environmental concerns and women’s issues.

Publications in Selected Journals and Anthologies:

–Canadian Woman Studies, Inanna Publications and Education, York University, 2007.

-Migrating Memories: Central Europe in Canada. Published by the Central European Association for Canadian Studies, 2010. University of Nis, Serbia. 

-War of 1812 Poetry and Prose: an Unfinished War. Black Moss Press, 2012. 

 –50+ Poems for Gordon Lightfoot: Old Brewery Press. Stephen Leacock Museum, 2014.

 –Things That Matter: An Anthology of Ontarian Writers, Poets and Visual Artists. HAT. 2018. Oakville, Ontario.

Bianca has been a featured author at literary festivals such as the Word on the Street in Toronto, the Blue Met International Festival in Montreal, and the Stephen Leacock Festival in Orillia.

She has been holding successful book signings at various bookstores Canada-wide including in Toronto and vicinity, Ottawa, Kingston, Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, and St. John’s. 

After living in Toronto for a few decades, Bianca now resides in Woodland Beach on Georgian Bay where she is inspired by the rugged beauty of the region and the spectacular sunsets. She gives workshops, lectures, and readings at writers’ festivals, libraries and bookstores, as well as online. 

For more info, please see http://www.guernicaeditions.com/ or http://www. biancalakoseljac.ca/

At the Desk: Bianca Lakoseljac: http://www.openbooktoronto.com/news/desk_bianca_lakoseljac/