Jennifer Hosein, Author

Jennifer Hosein
Author
Jennifer Hosein photo by Brenda Clews
Publications and Awards:
- Creative nonfiction, “Fabric,” published in The Fiddlehead BIPOC Solidarities Issue, January 2022
- Poem, “Six A.M.,” published in The Quarantine Review, January 2022
- Poem, “Exile.Canadian Shield,” included in the High Park Sound Walk, Voice of Trees, June 2021
- A Map of Rain Days longlisted for the League of Canadian Poets 2021 Pat Lowther Memorial Award
- Debut collection of poetry, A Map of Rain Days, published by Guernica Editions, September, 2020
- Poems, “Cabin,” “Huronia,” “Husband,” “I Love You,” “In Your Cauchemars” and “Oubliette,” published in the anthology Crystal Garden/Kristálykert, 2001
- Poem “Weekend” published in The Muse Journal, November 1992
- Short story, “Seventeen,” published in Rubicon, Number 10, 1988
- Play, “Chanson pour René Claude,” published in Event, 1977
- Short story, “Worlds Turned Inside Out,” published in Makara, 1977
Online Presence:
- Website: www.jenniferhosein.com
- Google: Jennifer Hosein
- YouTube: Jennifer Hosein
- Facebook: Jennifer Hosein and @jennifer.hosein.author.artist
- Instagram: jennifer_hosein; jennifer.hosein_poet.painter
- Twitter: @jenniferhosein
- Linkedin: Jennifer Hosein
- Goodreads: Jennifer Hosein
Biography
Jennifer Hosein was born in Montreal, Canada. She is a writer, visual artist and English as a Second Language teacher, living and working in Toronto, Canada. She holds an Honours BA in Visual Art, French and English Literature from the University of Toronto. Her poems, short fiction and a play have been published in magazines in Canada and Europe. Her artwork has appeared on book covers, in magazines and in solo and group exhibitions in Toronto. Her collection of poetry, A Map of Rain Days, published by Guernica Editions, was long listed for the League of Canadian Poets 2021 Pat Lowther Memorial Award. The book features her artwork on the cover as well as in the interior of the book.
Author statement
I was always an avid reader. Before I could read the big girl books, my aunt read them to me: Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, and more. When I was six years old, the Peter, Paul & Mary song “Puff the Magic Dragon” broke my heart so badly that I decided to write a short story transforming the dragon Puff into a dog whose beloved boy returns to him. That was the beginning of my writing life. By the time I was in high school, I was journaling every day to get through the tragedies of adolescence.
My writing and art have always been intertwined. Often a painting is inspired by a poem or story I am working on, and vice versa. My poems and stories address the beauty and shadows of life while navigating the realities of racism, addiction, suicide, rape, abuse and death. Ecstasy and loneliness, romance and terror are juxtaposed. Love is brutal and intoxicating, adolescence is “the carcass of youth.” Yet still we live and love and come out kicking.
Featured Poet (Toronto):
- Tartan Turban Secret Readings, April 29, 2021
- Conspiracy of 3 Reading Series, April 13, 2021
- Poets Corner One Minute Poem, March, 2021
- The Art Bar Poetry Series, Facebook, November 24, 2020
- Howl, CIUT 89.5 FM, October 13, 2020
- Guernica Editions Launch Closing Party, Facebook, September 13, 2020
- Minstrels & Bards Special Zoom Edition, April 26, 2020
- A Song & Poetry Salon, Tranzac Club, November 10, 2019
- Wild Writers, Poetry Jazz Cafe, September 3, 2019
- The Last Salon, Hirut Cafe, August 17, 2019
- A Song & Poetry Salon, Tranzac Club, March, 2019
- Poetry and Music Salon, Palmerston Library, May, 2017
- Urban Folk Art Salon, Mount Pleasant Library, February, 2017
- Words and Music, Free Times Café, July, 2016
- Lizzie Violet’s Cabaret Noir, Hirut Café, November, 2015
- Tim Maxwell and Friends CD Launch, Hirut Café, August, 2015
- Gallery Hittite, August, 2014
- Howl, CIUT 89.5 FM, August, 2014
- Painter, Poet, Beggar, Thief, Urban Gallery, March, 2014
- Love and Other Struggles, February, 2014
- 5 by 5, Gladstone Hotel, October, 2013
- Gallery Catalyst, October, 2013
- Q Space, November, 2012
- Howl, CIUT 89.5 FM, January, 2002
- Howl, CIUT 89.5 FM, July, 1996
- Michael’s Coffee House, July, 1996
- BESL books, February, 1993
- Literary Aids Benefit and Art Show, Edgewater Hotel, December, 1992
- The Art Bar Poetry Series, November, 1992
- The Pilot Tavern, November, 1992
- Beacon’s Café, November, 1992