Charles Simard
Editor (Poetry and Fiction)
Research Themes: Language, Sustainability and Transnationalism
I am a Francophone from Montréal, having moved to Vancouver in order to work as Talonbooks’ Poetry and Fiction Editor. I was previously employed as a bilingual lexicographer, working on the linguistic software suite Antidote, especially on English etymology, French and English typography, and bilingual content. I’m deeply interested in world literature, contemporary art practises, and music. For many years, I have felt a duty to learn as much as I can about Indigenous cultures of the Americas and to promote their presence and action within all levels of society. Now living in Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territory, I now wish to learn hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Downriver Halkomelem), the language of the Musqueam. I would appreciate any help in that direction.
In terms of my studies, I hold a Postdoctorate in Literature and Contemporary Art from the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, a Ph.D. in Literature from Université de Montréal, an M.A. in Comparative Literature from the same university, and a B.A. in Media Communications from Université du Québec à Montréal. I have also made short studies in translation and in linguistics. You can view my artistic portfolio here.
Other strong personal interests include the aesthetics of John Cage, James Joyce, Paul Valéry, Jorge Luis Borges, and heavy metal.