Nix
Role: Prize mascot & president
At just one week old, Nix has accomplished more than most, stepping up to be the crown prince of the prize after his predecessor suddenly perished. Though Nix was surprised to be nominated for this role, he has done a pretty decent job of being the front face of chaos and winning over the hearts of the community. When Nix grows up, he aspires to be a penguin. Nix knows very little about poetry (or anything as he is a cartoon), but loves the attention so all is good in his world.
Selena Mercuri
Role: General Advisor
Selena Mercuri is a Toronto-based writer and MFA candidate at the University of Guelph. Her work has appeared in the Literary Review of Canada, Room Magazine, Herizons, Prairie Fire, The Fiddlehead, and other journals. She received the 2023 Norma Epstein Foundation Award for Creative Writing and the 2025 Marsh Jeanneret Memorial Award. Selena is also Reviews Editor at The New Quarterly and the Havana Times, and works as a publicist at River Street. More at selenamercuri.com and on Instagram @seleamercuriwriter.
A quote from Selena:
"let me know if that's [the bio] too long."
"let me know if that's [the bio] too long."
Carrianne Leung
Role: Auntie
The rest of the board came up with a bio for Carrianne: Carrianne is the bestest writer. And an even bester auntie. She is also the bestest teacher and has the bestest outfits. We asked Ruby (her doggo) for further commentary: "look, all I can tell you is that Carrianne is the bestest." Manifesting the moxie and mayhem of a million suns, Carrianne also rocks one hell of a red lip. Contact Carrianne to find your perfect shade. Moving swiftly from HK to Scarborough to Guelph, Carianne keeps those vivacious vibes flowing, bringing words and wisdom with her wherever she goes.
A quote from Carrianne:
"Anything for you! And poetry!"
"Anything for you! And poetry!"
MURGATROYD MONAGHAN
Role: Talented Graphics Designer
Murgatroyd Monaghan is an Autistic mother, poet, author and spoken word artist of mixed descent. Her poetry has been featured in multiple literary outlets, and has won national and international awards, including the Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize. Her most recent collection, ‘white spaces where we learn to breathe’ (Off Topic, 2025) was named one to watch by CBC in 2025. When she isn’t writing, traveling, or doomscrolling, Murg can be found watching Star Trek or listening to the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy original BC tapes with her three wonderfully weird kiddos. Some things that have made her cry loudly are the northern lights, the caribou migration, and that time her local Tim Horton’s ran out of maple dip donuts.
A quote from Murgatroyd:
"Procrastinating with Canva is actually how I'm writing my novel."
"This low energy is kind of a vibe and I'm here for it."
"Procrastinating with Canva is actually how I'm writing my novel."
"This low energy is kind of a vibe and I'm here for it."
JOSEPH DANDURAND
Role: Poet Advisor
Bio: Joseph Dandurand is a member of the Kwantlen First Nation, located on the Fraser River about twenty minutes east of Vancouver, BC. He resides there with his three children. Dandurand is the director of the Kwantlen Cultural Centre and the author of several children’s stories and books of poetry including The East Side of It All (2020), which was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize. In 2021, Dandurand received the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence.
A quote from Joseph:
"Okay 👍 "
"Okay 👍 "
Hollay Ghadery
Role: Treasurer (of Ideas)
Head of Support & Enthusiasm Committee
Head of Support & Enthusiasm Committee
Hollay Ghadery is a multi-genre writer living in Ontario on Anishinaabe land. She has her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. Fuse, her memoir of mixed-race identity and mental health, was released by Guernica Editions in 2021 and won the 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award for Nonfiction/Memoir. Her collection of poetry, Rebellion Box was released by Radiant Press in 2023, and her collection of short fiction, Widow Fantasies, was released with Gordon Hill Press in fall 2024 and was longlisted for the Toronto Book Award. Her debut novel, The Unraveling of Ou, is due out with Palimpsest Press in 2026, and her children’s book, Being with the Birds, with Guernica Editions in 2027. Hollay is a host on The New Books Network, as well as a co-host on HOWL on CIUT 89.5 FM. She is also a book publicist, as well as the Poet Laureate of Scugog Township. Learn more about Hollay at www.hollayghadery.com.
Instagram: @hollayghadery | TikTok: @hollayghadery | Facebook: @hollayghaderywriter | Bsky: @hollay.bsky.social | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hollayghadery
A quote from Hollay:
"Broke? yes. Medicated? Certainly. But not powerless."
"That little cat face just never ceases to delight me."
Instagram: @hollayghadery | TikTok: @hollayghadery | Facebook: @hollayghaderywriter | Bsky: @hollay.bsky.social | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hollayghadery
A quote from Hollay:
"Broke? yes. Medicated? Certainly. But not powerless."
"That little cat face just never ceases to delight me."
Isabella Wang
Role: Semi-competent founder
Isabella Wang and creaky doors have a lot in common: they are both unhinged. Her published writing is code for real witchcraft spells. She has conned countless literary magazines into publishing her stuff. Her hobbies include looking at shiny toasters. She loves the idea of cows but think their existence is very flawed. Her books are actually done by a ghost writer. She was named one of the Writers' Trust 2025 Rising Stars, and will be donating $5 of the award money to support cows.
A quote from Isabella:
"Combine passion and free will, and ta da!"
"Combine passion and free will, and ta da!"
