Maya Chorney
PhD Student, Community Arts Organizer, and Storyteller
- BA Honours English with a Concentration in Creative Writing and a Minor in Gender Studies (Carleton, 2024), MA English (Carleton, 2025)
I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in English at Carleton. My research examines the contemporary emergence of queer-life writing as a site of both emancipatory possibility and potential exploitation for historically marginalized communities. I am also interested in how queer storytellers engage with life writing as an archival, self-making project in an increasingly digitized and networked socio-political context.
My poetry and prose have appeared in flo. Literary Magazine, Bywords.ca, and elsewhere. I am currently working on several multimedia and research-creational projects, including an ethnographic zine about authorship and Ottawa zinesters, a poetry chapbook, and more. Last year, a close friend and I launched our first issue of FruitPunch!, a queer-community zine that showcases experimental art from emerging creators. I plan to put together a second issue this summer.
How has your Carleton English degree informed your professional and/or creative path?
Reading a book, creating, chatting with friends, facilitating workshops—in all these things and more, I have consistently been able to carry my communication, editorial, and research skills beyond the classroom. My studies have introduced me to the work of many scholars, artists, and activists who have helped shape my own thinking. The kindness and openness of my professors, particularly during my grad studies, have also given me room to explore how I can merge my creative and academic practices in generative ways.
Why Carleton? What specific experiences or opportunities did you benefit from while studying English at Carleton?
The English faculty consists of incredibly generous, friendly, and intelligent people. A lot of my professors have shared wonderful resources and opportunities with me, which have in turn helped me grow and expand my skills. Most of the people I now consider close friends are also students I met throughout my studies, and it’s worth mentioning that Ottawa’s broader literary/creative scene is very welcoming!