Christopher Willard

Christopher Willard is a writer of literary fiction and poetry. He received his BFA from the Maine College of Art, his MFA from Hunter College, City University of New York, and his PhD from the University of Calgary (Dissertation title: Artistic Creation is Artistic Research: Substantiation through a Bimodal Framework).

His postmodern novel Garbage Head was shortlisted and chosen for numerous awards. His novel Sundre was said by Quill and Quire to opt for a language of lyricism, and that the novel’s descriptive passages ‘continually testify to the acuity of the author’s eye as well as his ear.’ Writer Robert Coover called Sundre an ‘affectionate elegy for a gone time.’ His long poem Ship of Theseus prompted poet William Merricle to write, "Prepare for an ascent into the maelstrom....Walking the plank will never be the same."

Willard's short stories have appeared in journals and anthologies including, Itch, St. Sebastian Review, Numero Cinq, Epiphany, Feathertale, Broken Pencil, Coffee Press Journal, Decameron, Poet to Poet, and many others. His non-fiction has appeared in journals including World Literature Today. He is the recipient of numerous state, provincial, and national foundation grants. Christopher Willard currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Canada. To unwind, he an avid road cyclist.