Carrie Snyder

Biography

I completed my BA in English Literature with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo, and my MA in English Literature at the University of Toronto. I worked for the National Post newspaper as assistant books editor, and a copy editor, but have spent most of my career writing and publishing literary fiction.

My most recent novel, Francie’s Got a Gun (2022), published by Knopf Canada, is a polyphonic narrative that examines social dysfunction and possible paths toward community connection. My previous novel, Girl Runner (2014), a finalist for the Rogers Writers Trust Prize for fiction, was published internationally and translated into multiple languages; it examines through fiction the history of Canadian women athletes, and women’s reproductive choices. The Juliet Stories (2012), a historical novel-in-stories, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for fiction, set in post-revolutionary Nicaragua, circa 1984, and told from the perspective of the child of American peace activists. My first book, Hair Hat (2004), a finalist for the Danuta Gleed Award for Short Fiction, is a collection of linked short stories, one of which began as an idea scribbled the margins of my notes during an English class at St. Jerome’s when I was an undergrad.

I’ve also published two picture books for children, and my creative nonfiction essays have been published in multiple anthologies. My work has been widely reviewed, and taught in post-secondary classes. I am a consulting editor for The New Quarterly literary magazine, with a focus on young writers. 

I’ve served as adjudicator for The Journey Prize, administered by the Writers’ Trust of Canada (2015), judge for The Dorothy Shoemaker Awards for fiction, administered by the Kitchener Public Library (2015), and as jury member for the Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award, administered by The New Quarterly (2013 - present).

I’ve led a wide-range of community-based creative writing workshops for children, young adults, and adults.

In 2019, with Dr. Lamees Al Ethari, I co-founded The X Page, a storytelling workshop for immigrant and refugee women in Waterloo Region in partnership with The New Quarterly literary magazine and M.T. Space theatre company; the first season of the project was funded in part by a SSHRC Connection Grant, which I co-authored with Dr. Al Ethari. The workshop is ongoing. I’ve served several roles in the workshop, including as an editor, a mentor, and project coordinator.

I also blog and cartoon, mostly about the writing process and spirituality, at carriesnyder.com. 

Selected Publications

Books

Francie’s Got a Gun, novel, Knopf Canada, 2022. 285 pages.

Girl Runner, novel, House of Anansi (Canada), 2014. 360 pages. Also published  in 2015 in the United States by HarperCollins; in the UK & Australia by Two Roads; in the Netherlands by Ambos Anthos; in Spain & Latin America by Alfaguara; in Poland by Foksal; in Sweden by Albert Bonniers Forlag; in Hungary by Libri, and in Catalonia by Edicions 62; and in 2016 in Italy by Sonzogno; in France by Gallimard; in Germany by btb Verlag; in Turkey by Alef Yaynevi; and in Greece by Thines Editions. Movie rights have been optioned by Canadian director Jacquie Gould.

The Juliet Stories, short fiction, House of Anansi (Canada), 2012. 324 pages. Also published in 2015 in the UK & Australia by Two Roads.

Hair Hat, short fiction, Penguin (Canada), 2004. 213 pages. Reissued as an ebook by House of Anansi (Canada), 2014.

Books for children

Jammie Day!, Owlkids (Canada), 2017. 36 pages. Published in translation in Turkey, by Is Kultar; and in Italy, by Rusconi Libri.

The Candy Conspiracy, Owlkids (Canada), 2015. 36 pages.

Awards, Honours

• Rogers Writers Trust Prize for Fiction, finalist, Girl Runner, 2014.
• National Magazine Award for Personal Journalism, finalist, 2013.
• Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction, finalist, The Juliet Stories, 2012.
• Gowlings Literary Award, Arts Awards Waterloo Region, 2012.
• Danuta Gleed Award for Short Fiction, finalist, Hair Hat, 2004.

Current Work 

I’m writing a new novel, sharing work with peers, and continuing to develop, lead and participate in workshops and events that celebrate and make accessible creativity and literary expression.

All I’ve ever wanted to do is write fiction, and I’ve spent my career puzzling out how to do that from perspectives both artistic and practical: how to support the work financially, how to build connections and community with other writers and artists of all disciplines, and how to keep the flame of creativity and challenge lit.

Teaching Areas

I’ve taught undergraduate creative writing courses at the University of Waterloo and St. Jerome’s since 2013. My courses focus on the creative practice, on making art, and on developing the skills and disciplines that support artistic expression, including community-building and peer mentorship. Students in my classes have developed projects that include literary fiction, speculative fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and graphic fiction / memoir.