Biography:

Susan Swan’s critically acclaimed fiction has been published in twenty countries. Swan was the Associate Professor of Humanities at York University. In 1999-2000, she was awarded the Millennial Robarts Chair in Canadian Studies. She was chair of The Writers’ Union of Canada (2007-2008) and brought in a new benefits deal for Canadian writers. She is also a member of Community Air, the Toronto civic activist group that has fought against the building of the bridge to the Toronto Island Airport.

A native of southwestern Ontario and graduate of McGill University, Susan Swan makes her home and garden in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood.

Major works include:

The Dead Celebrities Club (2019)
The Western Light (2012)
What Casanova Told Me (2004)
The Wives of Bath (1993)
The Biggest Modern Woman in the World
The Last of the Golden Girls (1989)
Stupid Boys are Good to Relax With (1996)

Notable awards

Chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada, 2007–2008
Robarts Millennial Scholar, York University, 1999-2001
Canada Council Award for Fiction, 1998
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Travel Grant, York University, 1996
Toronto Arts Council Award for Fiction, 1996
Canada Council Short-term Grant, Ottawa, 1995
Ontario Arts Council Award for Works-in-Progress, 1995
Guardian Fiction Prize Finalist, U.K., (International Award), 1993
Trillium Finalist, Ontario, 1993
Toronto Arts Council Award for Fiction, 1993
Ontario Arts Council Award for Works-in-Progress, 1991
Canada Council Award for Fiction, Ottawa, 1989
Canada Council Award for Fiction, Ottawa, 1988
Ontario Arts Council Award for Works-in-Progress, 1988
Oberon, Best Canadian Stories (for Sluts), Ottawa, 1988
Toronto Arts Council Award for Fiction, 1986
Playwright-in-Residence, NECESSARY ANGEL, Toronto, 1985
Canada Council Award for Fiction, Ottawa, 1984
Finalist, Governor-General’s Award for Fiction and in Best First Novel Contest , Ottawa, 1983