chris johnson
@ceeeejohnson.bsky.social
he/him : white settler : managing editor, @arcpoetry.bsky.social : editorial assistant, @nightwoodeditions.bsky.social : opinions are my own : profile photo by Curtis Perry
upcoming really soon!
We're halfway through the first month of 2026, and the deadline for Arc's Poem of the Year Contest is coming up fast! With a $40 entry fee, submitters can send in up to two poems and receive a 1-year subscription to Arc. Plus there's the chance of taking home the $5000 grand prize! buff.ly/5D7G08l
January 30, 2026 at 2:36 PM
upcoming really soon!
Reposted by chris johnson
Our Spring 2026 books are almost here 🔥 All titles are available for preorder NOW from your local independent bookstore, major retailers and on our website.
January 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Our Spring 2026 books are almost here 🔥 All titles are available for preorder NOW from your local independent bookstore, major retailers and on our website.
Reposted by chris johnson
I've waited more than a decade to be able to say this: hell yeah, new Elizabeth Bachinsky!!!
@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social
harbourpublishing.com/products/978...
@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social
harbourpublishing.com/products/978...
January 19, 2026 at 9:42 PM
I've waited more than a decade to be able to say this: hell yeah, new Elizabeth Bachinsky!!!
@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social
harbourpublishing.com/products/978...
@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social
harbourpublishing.com/products/978...
Reposted by chris johnson
Warm holiday wishes to our authors and readers, with gratitude for a year filled with wonderful books!
December 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Warm holiday wishes to our authors and readers, with gratitude for a year filled with wonderful books!
Reposted by chris johnson
Join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Jenna Butler, Arc’s new Poetry Editor! Jenna is an experienced poet, essayist, professor and ecological writer bringing a new and exciting voice to Arc's pages.
Subscribe to Arc today to see how Jenna Butler will be shaping the magazine's future!
Subscribe to Arc today to see how Jenna Butler will be shaping the magazine's future!
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Jenna Butler, Arc’s new Poetry Editor! Jenna is an experienced poet, essayist, professor and ecological writer bringing a new and exciting voice to Arc's pages.
Subscribe to Arc today to see how Jenna Butler will be shaping the magazine's future!
Subscribe to Arc today to see how Jenna Butler will be shaping the magazine's future!
woo-hoo! a new poem from @helendestroy.bsky.social!
"I have brought you more tea
(& I love you)
I did the dishes
(& I love you)
I wrote you a poem
(& I love you)"
—Helen Robertson
beestungmag.com/issue25/one-...
(& I love you)
I did the dishes
(& I love you)
I wrote you a poem
(& I love you)"
—Helen Robertson
beestungmag.com/issue25/one-...
One Poem by Helen Robertson – beestung
beestungmag.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
woo-hoo! a new poem from @helendestroy.bsky.social!
Reposted by chris johnson
Arc's Fall 2026 issue is the last with our Prose Editor since 2020, so we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nancy Jo Cullen! Her talent and dedication shaped Arc’s pages and defined our prose for the past five years. We are so grateful, Nancy, for everything you have brought to Arc! Thank you!
December 15, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Arc's Fall 2026 issue is the last with our Prose Editor since 2020, so we wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nancy Jo Cullen! Her talent and dedication shaped Arc’s pages and defined our prose for the past five years. We are so grateful, Nancy, for everything you have brought to Arc! Thank you!
Reposted by chris johnson
Tomorrow (Dec 12th) is the last day to submit your claim regarding Loblaws’ bread price-fixing scheme.
You could get $50 or more. Get that “bread!”
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
You could get $50 or more. Get that “bread!”
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
You could get at least $50 from the bread price-fixing settlement. But the deadline is coming up | CBC News
Your chance to get a piece of a $500-million class action settlement, following a years-long bread price fixing scheme will soon expire.
www.cbc.ca
December 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Tomorrow (Dec 12th) is the last day to submit your claim regarding Loblaws’ bread price-fixing scheme.
You could get $50 or more. Get that “bread!”
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
You could get $50 or more. Get that “bread!”
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
i’ve been working at Arc Poetry Magazine now for over 10 years, and it’s weird to think that i would never have had this job if it wasn’t for a couple ambitious poets (and academics) almost 50 years ago trying out something new. rest in peace, Tom Henighan, and thank you!
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Henighan, one of Arc's founding editors. Tom recounted the founding of Arc alongside Christopher Levenson and Michael Gnarowski in an editorial available here: buff.ly/phTJ6MX
Our condolences to all of Tom's friends and family. Rest in peace.
Our condolences to all of Tom's friends and family. Rest in peace.
Secrets and verse - Arc Poetry
Founding Canada’s poetry magazine A heritage moment revealed by Arc co-founder Tom Henighan In the winter of 1977 I got a call from Michael Gnarowski, a colleague in the English Department at…
buff.ly
December 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
i’ve been working at Arc Poetry Magazine now for over 10 years, and it’s weird to think that i would never have had this job if it wasn’t for a couple ambitious poets (and academics) almost 50 years ago trying out something new. rest in peace, Tom Henighan, and thank you!
Reposted by chris johnson
Christina Shah, author of the new collection if: prey, then: huntress, answers a series of questions and poses others, such as: Why are there still places and networks in which women’s participation and access to opportunity is limited?
12 or 20 (second series) questions with Christina Shah / @christinashah.bsky.social @nightwoodeditions.bsky.social ;
robmclennan.blogspot.com/2025/12/12-o...
robmclennan.blogspot.com/2025/12/12-o...
12 or 20 (second series) questions with Christina Shah
Christina Shah lives in New Westminster and works in heavy industry. Her work was shortlisted for 2021’s Ralph Gustafson Prize and selected...
robmclennan.blogspot.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Christina Shah, author of the new collection if: prey, then: huntress, answers a series of questions and poses others, such as: Why are there still places and networks in which women’s participation and access to opportunity is limited?
submit 3 poems for the price of 2 before Arc's Poem of the Year Contest early bird deadline! the entry fee includes a 1-year subscription to the best poetry-focused literary magazine in Canada (note: I may be biased)
Submissions to Arc's Poem of the Year Contest are open, and all poets are welcome to submit an extra poem before the Early Bird Deadline on December 31, 2025. All entries include a 1-year subscription to Arc Poetry Magazine! Don't sleep on this opportunity!
More details here: buff.ly/ofdnZTd
More details here: buff.ly/ofdnZTd
December 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
submit 3 poems for the price of 2 before Arc's Poem of the Year Contest early bird deadline! the entry fee includes a 1-year subscription to the best poetry-focused literary magazine in Canada (note: I may be biased)
if you didn't know, I was recently a writer-in-residence at the Al & Eurithe Purdy A-frame. after the fact I wrote almost 2000 words about the highs and lows of living and writing in that cottage for 4 weeks and now @robmclennan.bsky.social graciously published these words on periodicities. thanks!
newly posted: Chris Johnson @ceeeejohnson.bsky.social : “I’m so fuckin self conscious I doubt the motives for shitting”: on being a writer-in-residence at the Al & Eurithe Purdy A-frame in late Fall 2025
periodicityjournal.blogspot.com/2025/12/chri...
periodicityjournal.blogspot.com/2025/12/chri...
Chris Johnson : “I’m so fuckin self conscious I doubt the motives for shitting”: on being a writer-in-residence at the Al & Eurithe Purdy A-frame in late Fall 2025
I watched a National Film Board documentary about P.K. Page’s life and literary career while I was the writer-in-residence a...
periodicityjournal.blogspot.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
if you didn't know, I was recently a writer-in-residence at the Al & Eurithe Purdy A-frame. after the fact I wrote almost 2000 words about the highs and lows of living and writing in that cottage for 4 weeks and now @robmclennan.bsky.social graciously published these words on periodicities. thanks!
if you have the means and enjoy the work that Arc Poetry Magazine is doing, please consider sending them a donation today. they can offer tax receipts!
GivingTuesday, the world’s largest generosity movement is here! Join other Arc supporters by making a donation today, and with your contribution we will be able to continue to publish and share the finest new Canadian poetry with you. Your generosity makes our work possible: buff.ly/hm21E7r
December 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
if you have the means and enjoy the work that Arc Poetry Magazine is doing, please consider sending them a donation today. they can offer tax receipts!
Reposted by chris johnson
Didn't get a chance to listen yesterday morning? The interview is now live—tune in here! www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
December 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Didn't get a chance to listen yesterday morning? The interview is now live—tune in here! www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by chris johnson
I think if Canada wants to have a strong cultural identity we need to go back to doing what we're best at, making the weirdest fucking TV shows you've ever seen
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I think if Canada wants to have a strong cultural identity we need to go back to doing what we're best at, making the weirdest fucking TV shows you've ever seen
Reposted by chris johnson
The Factory Reading Series pre-small press book fair reading, November 21: Stuart Ross, Liam Burke + Amanda Earl, / @coachhousebooks.bsky.social @ottawasmallpress.bsky.social @meetthepresses.bsky.social ;
smallpressalmanac.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
smallpressalmanac.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
The Factory Reading Series pre-small press book fair reading, November 21: Stuart Ross, Liam Burke + Amanda Earl,
span-o (the small press action network - ottawa) presents The Factory Reading Series the pre-small press book fair reading featuring reading...
smallpressalmanac.blogspot.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The Factory Reading Series pre-small press book fair reading, November 21: Stuart Ross, Liam Burke + Amanda Earl, / @coachhousebooks.bsky.social @ottawasmallpress.bsky.social @meetthepresses.bsky.social ;
smallpressalmanac.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
smallpressalmanac.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
some of my friends are like “my poetry engages with the racism of Canada’s immigration policies over the past 150 years” while i’m like “my poetry is about how weird it is that we all fart”
November 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
some of my friends are like “my poetry engages with the racism of Canada’s immigration policies over the past 150 years” while i’m like “my poetry is about how weird it is that we all fart”
i like soup and share recipes with friends. need a soup recipe? hmu!
Made soup tonight because I haven’t had kitchen zen in ages (thanks work).
Butternut squash soup with hot Italian sausage, kale, and cheese tortellini. Recipe from @ceeeejohnson.bsky.social
Butternut squash soup with hot Italian sausage, kale, and cheese tortellini. Recipe from @ceeeejohnson.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 1:19 PM
i like soup and share recipes with friends. need a soup recipe? hmu!
rob remembered I had a new poem published recently! (note: rob was the one who published the poem)
some above/ground press author activity: Frances Boyle @francesboyle19.bsky.social , Julie Carr @juliecarr.bsky.social , Chris Johnson @ceeeejohnson.bsky.social , Conor Mc Donnell + rob mclennan,
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/10/some...
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com/2025/10/some...
some author activity: Boyle, Carr, Johnson, Mc Donnell + mclennan,
Frances Boyle has new work up at talking about strawberries all of the time ; Julie Carr is interviewed over at Tupelo Quarterly ; Chris Joh...
abovegroundpress.blogspot.com
October 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
rob remembered I had a new poem published recently! (note: rob was the one who published the poem)
WOO-HOO for @manahil.bsky.social!! 🥳
We are pleased to share that Manahil Bandukwala's Heliotropia has been named the 2025 Archibald Lampman Award winner! This year's jury says, "With form and language that surprises and delights, Manahil Bandukwala has crafted a perfect set of love poems for our current moment." Congrats, Manahil!
October 15, 2025 at 3:29 PM
WOO-HOO for @manahil.bsky.social!! 🥳
the last title of Nightwood Editions' Fall 2025 season! it's still very cool to have a small role in the release of novels and poetry collections after working for a magazine for years. I'm looking forward to the Spring 2026 books now... which feels far away and right around the corner!
"How do you break the cycle of intergenerational trauma when you've never seen it done?"
Meg Todd's MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT is officially in the world now and we couldn't be more excited. Find it at your local indies or through online retailers!
Meg Todd's MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT is officially in the world now and we couldn't be more excited. Find it at your local indies or through online retailers!
October 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
the last title of Nightwood Editions' Fall 2025 season! it's still very cool to have a small role in the release of novels and poetry collections after working for a magazine for years. I'm looking forward to the Spring 2026 books now... which feels far away and right around the corner!
I've got a new poem on DUSIE thanks to the tireless @robmclennan.bsky.social! in this poem, "Someone has bastardized the best lines, / and I have taken all the credit" as per usual. (the "someone" is me 🤫) please give it a read!
Tuesday poem #653 : Chris Johnson @ceeeejohnson.bsky.social : screaming kids / @arcpoetry.bsky.social @nightwoodeditions.bsky.social ;
dusie.blogspot.com/2025/10/tues...
dusie.blogspot.com/2025/10/tues...
Tuesday poem #653 : Chris Johnson : screaming kids
after John Thompson’s “IX” from Stilt Jack Milton Acorn. Earle Birney. Louis Dudek. Irving Layton. Al Purdy. Too many men have been pu...
dusie.blogspot.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I've got a new poem on DUSIE thanks to the tireless @robmclennan.bsky.social! in this poem, "Someone has bastardized the best lines, / and I have taken all the credit" as per usual. (the "someone" is me 🤫) please give it a read!
Reposted by chris johnson
Today's the day! We are looking forward to hosting our three Lampman Award finalists this evening at Perfect Books on Elgin Street. Come on out to hear Emily Austin, Manahil Bandukwala, and AJ Dolman read from their recent books of poetry. Readings start at 7pm, so don't miss it!
Join us at Perfect Books on Tuesday, Sept 23, for a special reading with the 2025 Lampman Award Finalists: Emily Austin, Manahil Bandukwala, and AJ Dolman. Don’t miss the chance to hear these incredible poets share their work before the Lampman Award winner is revealed later this fall!
September 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Today's the day! We are looking forward to hosting our three Lampman Award finalists this evening at Perfect Books on Elgin Street. Come on out to hear Emily Austin, Manahil Bandukwala, and AJ Dolman read from their recent books of poetry. Readings start at 7pm, so don't miss it!
TOMORROW! Join me at Perfect Books at 7pm to hear from Arc's three Lampman Award finalists. If you're looking for some great poetry in Ottawa on a Tuesday, this is the place to be!
We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 Lampman Award, recognizing outstanding poetry from brilliant Ottawa-based poets: Emily Austin's “Gay Girl Prayers,” Manahil Bandukwala's “Heliotropia,” and AJ Dolman's “Crazy/Mad.” Stay tuned for details about the winner announcement this fall!
September 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
TOMORROW! Join me at Perfect Books at 7pm to hear from Arc's three Lampman Award finalists. If you're looking for some great poetry in Ottawa on a Tuesday, this is the place to be!
Reposted by chris johnson
Don’t miss an incredible panel at Word Vancouver this Saturday, Sept. 20! Join Isabella Wang (November, November), Joseph Dandurand (I Would Like to Thank You), Arleen Paré, and Junie Désil for a powerful conversation hosted by Renée Sarojini Saklikar.
🗓 Saturday, Sept. 20
🕧 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
🗓 Saturday, Sept. 20
🕧 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Tending the Unspoken — WV
From encrypted histories and systemic weight to ancestral echoes and quiet acts of gratitude, this poetry reading brings together four distinct yet intertwined voices in Canadian literature. Join us f...
www.wordvancouver.ca
September 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Don’t miss an incredible panel at Word Vancouver this Saturday, Sept. 20! Join Isabella Wang (November, November), Joseph Dandurand (I Would Like to Thank You), Arleen Paré, and Junie Désil for a powerful conversation hosted by Renée Sarojini Saklikar.
🗓 Saturday, Sept. 20
🕧 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
🗓 Saturday, Sept. 20
🕧 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM