Leanne Dunic is the winner of the 2015 Alice Munro Short Story prize and the fiction editor at the Tahoma Literary Review.
Her writing has been described as genre-fluid, experimental, poignant, provocative, elegant, and brutal. If there is a unifying aspect to her diverse work as an artist, it’s a persistent interest in crossing boundaries, both in terms of form and content. As a biracial, bisexual woman, she’s spent her life navigating liminal spaces, inspiring her to produce trans-media projects such her novel in micro-chapters, To Love the Coming End (Book*hug/Chin Music Press 2017,) and her short story and companion album, The Gift (Book*hug 2019). Her most recent book is a poetic memoir with music entitled, One and Half of You (Talonbooks 2021). Her verse-novel with photographs, Wet, is forthcoming spring 2024.
Leanne is the leader of the band The Deep Cove. She holds an MFA in Lyric from the University of British Columbia and is currently a PhD candidate at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. She lives on the unceded and occupied traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh people.
Leanne’s advice for Writer’s Studio applicants
What are you looking for in your workshop group?
I'm looking for diversity of experiences and a willingness to take risks. I seek open-minded, dedicated, and respectful individuals to make a safe environment for us to try and fail and try again. The cohort will be a nurturing environment where we can all learn from each other.
What do you look for when reading an applicant’s submission?
I look for creativity, kindness, humility, and uncommon perspectives. Please try to showcase your writing voice, personality and interests in your letter. Authenticity is key. I'm curious to know what writing projects you are working towards and what inspires you to create.
I strongly encourage applications from voices not typically heard, including writers who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQIA+, Disabled and Neurodiverse.