Suzette Mayr
Encyclopedia
Suzette Mayr is a Canadian poet and novelist who has written three critically acclaimed novels. Currently an associate professor at the University of Calgary
's Faculty of Arts, Mayr's writing and teaching is often focused on issues of race and ethnicity in Canadian culture. Mayr's works have been nominated for several literary awards.
, Alberta
. Originally planning to study science in her post-secondary career, Mayr changed focus due to her strong performance in English. A creative writing course at the University of Calgary led to her decision to pursue a writing career. She graduated with an Honours bachelor degree in English Following her graduation from the University of Calgary, Mayr went on to acquire a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Alberta
.
Mayr worked as a waitress and sandwich maker before establishing herself as a professional writer. In addition to her three novels (Moon Honey, The Widows and Venous Hum), Mayr has published books of poetry and co-edited a literary anthology
. Her novels and other literary works have been nominated for several awards. In 2002, Mayr participated in the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program
at the University of Calgary, where she is now an associate professor for the Department of English and teaches courses on creative writing and contemporary literature studies. Mayr, a Canadian of German and Afro-Caribbean background , often explores issues of race, identity and sex in her writing through the stylistic use of humour, cultural mythologies and surreal imagery.
in a barrel, aided by Schmitt's granddaughter Cleopatra Maria. The narration of the novel moves between the day they go over the Falls, and the events that lead up to that day. The novel is coloured with quotes from various individuals who went over the falls, including Annie Edson Taylor
(the first person to survive riding over Niagara Falls in a barrel), who becomes a character in the story. The Widows was published by NeWest Press. The novel was translated into German
by Christine Struh and Ursula Wukfekamp in 1999, with the title 3 Witwen und ein Wasserfall
is the benign condition experienced by Lai Fun Kugelheim, the protagonist of the novel, in which one can hear the vibration, or hum, of one’s own blood as it flows through his or her veins. When an old high school acquaintance dies, Lai Fun and her best friend Stefanja Dumanowski are moved to organize a twenty-year reunion. As Lai Fun deals with the challenges of her self-appointed task, her same-sex marriage is falling apart as she has an affair with Stefanja's husband. Adding to Lai Fun's problems, her mother is an immigrant vampire vegetarian who cares only for her daughter's happiness. Venous Hum has been described as 'a funny, insightful, sexy, intelligent horror novel with memorable characters that never takes itself too seriously.' The novel was published by Arsenal Pulp Press
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and published by NeWest Pres.
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and published by Talonbooks
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and edited by Mayr and Julia Gaunce, this anthology includes twenty- six stories and spans from the nineteenth to twenty-first century. The stories are organized chronologically and contain annotations for student readers.
and Uppinder Mehan.
for best book in the Canadian-Caribbean region.
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
's Faculty of Arts, Mayr's writing and teaching is often focused on issues of race and ethnicity in Canadian culture. Mayr's works have been nominated for several literary awards.
Biography
Suzette Mayr was born in CalgaryCalgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. Originally planning to study science in her post-secondary career, Mayr changed focus due to her strong performance in English. A creative writing course at the University of Calgary led to her decision to pursue a writing career. She graduated with an Honours bachelor degree in English Following her graduation from the University of Calgary, Mayr went on to acquire a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
.
Mayr worked as a waitress and sandwich maker before establishing herself as a professional writer. In addition to her three novels (Moon Honey, The Widows and Venous Hum), Mayr has published books of poetry and co-edited a literary anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
. Her novels and other literary works have been nominated for several awards. In 2002, Mayr participated in the Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program
Markin-Flanagan Distinguished Writers Program
thumbThe , at the University of Calgary, strives to advance the careers of Canadian writers, invigorate the Calgary writing community, and enhance the activities of the Faculty of Humanities and the Department of English...
at the University of Calgary, where she is now an associate professor for the Department of English and teaches courses on creative writing and contemporary literature studies. Mayr, a Canadian of German and Afro-Caribbean background , often explores issues of race, identity and sex in her writing through the stylistic use of humour, cultural mythologies and surreal imagery.
Moon Honey (1995)
When eighteen-year-old white waitress Carmen becomes black, her fiancé Griffin is delighted, having 'always wanted to sleep with a black woman.' However, his racist mother Fran is furious that Griffin still wants to marry her. Fran is married to a man called God, and having an affair with her boss. While Griffin is away in Europe for six months, Carmen sleeps with his best friend. Upon Griffin’s return, he informs Carmen he does not want to marry her, but rather he wants to marry Renata, a woman he met while overseas, who later runs off with a lesbian liquor store cashier. Moon Honey was published by NeWest Press.The Widows (1998)
Hannelore Schmitt, Frau Schnadelhuber and Fraulein Clotilde are elderly German immigrant women who are determined to plunge over Niagara FallsNiagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
in a barrel, aided by Schmitt's granddaughter Cleopatra Maria. The narration of the novel moves between the day they go over the Falls, and the events that lead up to that day. The novel is coloured with quotes from various individuals who went over the falls, including Annie Edson Taylor
Annie Edson Taylor
Annie Edson Taylor was an American adventurer who, on her 63rd birthday, October 24, 1901, became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel.-Early life:...
(the first person to survive riding over Niagara Falls in a barrel), who becomes a character in the story. The Widows was published by NeWest Press. The novel was translated into German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
by Christine Struh and Ursula Wukfekamp in 1999, with the title 3 Witwen und ein Wasserfall
Venous Hum (2004)
Venous humVenous hum
Venous hum is a benign phenomenon. At rest, 20% of the cardiac output flows to the brain via the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. This drains via the internal jugular veins. The flow of blood can cause the vein walls to vibrate creating a humming noise which can be heard by the subject...
is the benign condition experienced by Lai Fun Kugelheim, the protagonist of the novel, in which one can hear the vibration, or hum, of one’s own blood as it flows through his or her veins. When an old high school acquaintance dies, Lai Fun and her best friend Stefanja Dumanowski are moved to organize a twenty-year reunion. As Lai Fun deals with the challenges of her self-appointed task, her same-sex marriage is falling apart as she has an affair with Stefanja's husband. Adding to Lai Fun's problems, her mother is an immigrant vampire vegetarian who cares only for her daughter's happiness. Venous Hum has been described as 'a funny, insightful, sexy, intelligent horror novel with memorable characters that never takes itself too seriously.' The novel was published by Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press is a Canadian independent book publishing company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company publishes a broad range of titles in both fiction and non-fiction, and is noted for founding the annual Three-Day Novel Contest .Authors who have been published by Arsenal Pulp ...
.
Monoceros (2011)
Monoceros will be Mayr's fourth published novel. It is slated for release in April 2011. The story revolves around the suicide of a seventeen-year-old bullying victim and the effect it has on the people who were directly and indirectly involved in his life. Monoceros will be published by Coach House BooksCoach House Books
Coach House Books is an independent Canadian publishing company located in Toronto, Ontario. Coach House publishes innovative and experimental poetry, fiction, drama and non-fiction. The press is particularly interested in writing that pushes at the boundaries of convention.-History:The company was...
.
Boundless Alberta (1993)
'Scalps' was Mayr's first story to be included in an anthology. Boundless Alberta was edited by Aritha Van HerkAritha Van Herk
Aritha van Herk is a Canadian writer, critic, editor, and university professor.She was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta . Her parents and elder siblings immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands before she was born. She grew up in a bilingual home, speaking English and Dutch. In 1974, she married...
and published by NeWest Pres.
Eye Wuz Here (1996)
Mayr's 'Glass Anatomy' is included in this collection of stories by women writers under the age of 30. Eye Wuz Here was published by Douglas & McIntyreDouglas & McIntyre
Douglas & McIntyre is an independent Canadian publishing company founded in 1971. They are the publishers for such noted authors as Margaret Atwood and Douglas Coupland; poet Lorna Crozier; actress Kim Cattrall; chef John Bishop; and politician Mike Harcourt...
.
Threshold (1999)
Mayr's story 'Toot Suite Matricia' is included in this collection of literary stories by Albertan authors. Threshold was published by the University of Alberta PressUniversity of Alberta Press
The University of Alberta Press is a publishing house and a division of the University of Alberta that engages in academic publishing.-Overview:...
.
And Other Stories (2001)
Mayr's story 'Nipple Gospel' is included in this anthology of stories by Canadian authors written in a postmodern style. And Other Stories was edited by George BoweringGeorge Bowering
George Harry Bowering, OC, OBC is a prolific Canadian novelist, poet, historian, and biographer. He has served as Canada's Parliamentary Poet Laureate....
and published by Talonbooks
Talonbooks
Talonbooks is an independent publisher of Canadian literature, whose repertoire features authors writing in the literary genres of poetry, fiction and drama, as well as non-fiction books in the fields of ethnography, environmental and social issues, cultural studies, and literary criticism.The...
.
Broadview Anthology of Short Fiction (2004)
Published by Broadview PressBroadview Press
Broadview Press is an independent academic publisher that focuses on the humanities. Founded in 1985 by Don LePan, the company now employs over 25 people, has over 500 titles in print, and publishes approximately 50 titles each year...
and edited by Mayr and Julia Gaunce, this anthology includes twenty- six stories and spans from the nineteenth to twenty-first century. The stories are organized chronologically and contain annotations for student readers.
So Long Been Dreaming (2004)
Mayr's short story 'Toot Sweet Matricia' is included in an anthology for the second time. So Long Been Dreaming contains science fiction and fantasy stories by authors of Aboriginal, African or Asian descent. The anthology was published by Arsenal Pulp Press and edited by Nalo HopkinsonNalo Hopkinson
Nalo Hopkinson is a Jamaican science fiction and fantasy writer and editor who lives in Canada. Her novels and short stories such as those in her collection Skin Folk often draw on Caribbean history and language, and its traditions of oral and written storytelling.Hopkinson has...
and Uppinder Mehan.
Zebra Talk (1991)
Published by disOrientation chapbooks, Zebra Talk is a collection of poems in chapbook form dealing with the marginalization of both mixed race and homosexual peoples.Tale (2001)
Published by Stride Gallery, Tale is a collection of illustrated poems (illustrations by Geoff Hunter) referencing the personal experiences of both Mayr and Hunter. The collection explores relationships, sexuality and love.Award nominations
Mayr's first published novel, Moon Honey, was nominated for two awards by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta; the Georges Bugnet Award for Best Novel and the Henry Kreisel Award for Best First book. The Widows, Mayr’s second novel, was short listed for the Commonwealth Writers' PrizeCommonwealth Writers' Prize
Commonwealth Writers is an initiative by the Commonwealth Foundation to unearth, develop and promote the best new fiction from across the Commonwealth. It's flagship are two literary awards and a website...
for best book in the Canadian-Caribbean region.
External links
- In Silhouette: Portraits of Alberta Writers (See pages 108 to 114 for detailed profile of Suzette Mayr).
- Suzette Mayr's University of Calgary profile