ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Maya Chorney

Graduate Student, Community Arts Organizer, and Storyteller

• BA Honours English with a Concentration in Creative Writing and a Minor in Gender Studies (ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´, 2024)

I am currently completing my MA in English at ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´. At the end of April, I’ll be using the knowledge I’ve gained through my studies, creative practice, and community involvement to teach a one-week course on the practices and politics of narrative as part of the Mini Enrichment Course Program. Lately, I’ve also been involved in several projects that are allowing me to bring my skills beyond the classroom.

My poetry and fiction have appeared in flo. Literary Magazine, The Aurora Journal, Intertext, and Bywords.ca. In addition to continuing this short-form creative work, I’m writing a novel, working on some multi-media projects, reading poetry submissions at Bywords.ca, and making zines. A close friend and I just launched our first issue of FruitPunch!, a queer community zine that centres on experimental art from emerging creators.

This fall, I begin my PhD at ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´. My doctoral research will investigate how queer and disabled storytellers engage with life writing as an archival, self-making project in an increasingly digitized and networked socio-political context.

How has your ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ English degree informed your professional and/or creative path? 

Reading a book, creating, chatting with friends, facilitating workshops—in all these things and more, I have consistently been able to carry my communication, editorial, and research skills beyond the classroom.

Why ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´?  What specific experiences or opportunities did you benefit from while studying English at ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´?

The English faculty consists of incredibly generous, friendly, and intelligent people. A lot of my professors have ​shared wonderful resources and opportunities with me, which have in turn helped me grow and expand my skills. Most of the people I now consider close friends are also students I met throughout my studies, and it’s worth mentioning that Ottawa’s broader literary/creative scene is very welcoming!