Anna Swanson is a queer poet and librarian living in St. John’s, NL/Ktaqmkuk. Her debut book of poetry, The Nights Also, asks how identity is formed and challenged in relation to chronic illness, sexuality and solitude. It won a Lambda Literary Award and the Gerald Lampert Award for best first book of poetry.

“This is a strong new voice that reaffirms my faith in the heartbeat and vision that poetry can give us.” —Lorna Crozier

“As meditations on illness, these are extraordinary—sad, undermining, and, sometimes, spiked with a sense of humour.” —Tim Lilburn

“These poems—intelligent, passionate, and beautifully executed—announce the arrival of a gifted poet, one I hope we’ll be hearing from for years to come.” —Patricia Young