Greek-Canadian Authors

MNEMOSYNI’S MUSINGS…

Maria A. Karamitsos

We’ve talked about Greek-American authors, Philhellene authors, and more. But did you know that Canada is home to many talented authors? Let’s meet some of them.

Manolis Aligizakis

He is the author of 20 books of poetry, three novels, and eleven major translation works. Aligizakis’ articles, poems, and short stories have appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers around the world and have been translated into many languages. He’s known as the most prolific writer-poet of the Greek diaspora. In 2006 in British Columbia, he founded Libros Libertad, an unorthodox and independent publishing company. His translation of George Seferis-Collected Poems (independently published, 2021) was shortlisted for the Greek National Literary Awards.

Marianne Apostolides

This Toronto-based novelist and memoirist has published six books to date. Apostolides is best known for her 2009 novel Swim (Book*Hug, 2010), whose French-language translation by Madeleine Stratford was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for English to French translation at the 2016 Governor General’s Awards; and her memoir, Voluptuous Pleasure: The Truth About the Writing Life (Book*Hug, 2012), was named one of the 100 best books of the year by The Globe and Mail.

Pan Bouyoucas

Born in Lebanon to Greek parents, his family emigrated to Canada in 1963. He’s an author, playwright, and translator. Bouyoucas explores topics of contemporary relevance in his novels, novellas, short stories, and plays. He explores many sub-genres, including magical realism, detective stories, and children’s books. This Quebec-based author’s novel, Ari et la reine de l’orge (Les Allusifs, 2014) was translated by Sheila Fischman as Ari and the Barley Queen (Guernica Editions, 2023).

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Tess Fragoulis

Born in Crete and raised in Canada, Fragoulis has published several award-winning novels and short stories. Her work has appeared in many literary journals, magazines, and newspapers in North America. Her first book, Stories to Hide from Your Mother (Arsenal Pulp Press, 1997), was nominated for the QSPELL First Book Award; and one of her stories was adapted for the television series Bliss. Fragoulis is the editor of Musings: An Anthology of Greek-Canadian Literature (Véhicule Press, 2004). She lives and teaches in Montreal.

Zafirios Georgilas

This Vancouver-based author, musician, voiceover artist, and content creator earned an MA in Publishing from the University of the Arts London. His debut novel is called How Not to Find Work (independently published, 2023).

Hélène Papachristidis Holden

This novelist is a fervent supporter of Canadian literature and has brought together authors across her country’s linguistic cultures via organizations like the Writers’ Union. For years, she ran the Librairie Double Hook Book Shop, an all-Canadian bookstore in Montreal—the first of its kind in the country. She has published several books including After the Fact (Oberon Press, 1986).  In 1994, she was awarded the Member of the Order of Canada.

Thomas King

Born in California, King has lived and worked in Canada since 1980. Of Cherokee, Greek, and German descent, he’s published award-winning novels, children’s books, and collections of stories. He’s known for writing in a conversational style, incorporating “oral storytelling structures with traditional Western narrative”. This Ontario-based author’s novel, Indians on Vacation (HarperCollins, 2020), won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 2021.

Stella Leventoyiannis Harvey

Born in Cairo, this award-winning author grew up in Calgary. She is the founder of the Whistler Writing Society, also known as the Vicious Circle, which under her direction produces the annual Whistler Writers Festival, the Authors in the School Program, the Whistler Writer in Residence Program, and the Spring Reading Series. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in magazines and anthologies. Her most recent novel, Finding Callidora (Signature Editions) was published in 2019.

Lydia Lukidis

She’s the author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. As a freelance journalist, Lukidis writes about topics such as education, parenting, and wellness. Based in Montreal, she is a volunteer judge on Rate your Story and co-hosts the annual Fall Writing Frenzy competition. Her latest, Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman & Co.), came out in 2024.

Sofia Martimianakis

Martimianakis’ poetry, short stories, nonfiction, and photography have been published in numerous journals and magazines. She’s written picture books and young adult books. A native of Toronto, Martimianakis is working on her first novel, a young adult fantasy adventure.

Efthimia McEvoy

An entrepreneur turned writer, McEvoy published her first book, a memoir called, Bless the Broken Road (independently published) in 2022.  She runs multiple businesses, including the Spa at We Thrive in downtown Belleville, which she owns and runs.

Alex Pattakos

From Prince Edward Island and known as “Dr. Meaning,” Pattakos is widely respected as a modern-day Greek philosopher and pioneer in transformational thinking. He co-founded the Global Meaning Institute and co-created MEANINGology® (the study and practice of meaning in life, work, and society). Among his books is The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work (BenBella Books, 2014).

Fotios Sarris

Born in Montreal, the author worked his way through his undergrad degree while working as a stagehand in one of the last of the city’s burlesque theatres. He earned a doctorate from the University of Toronto. He is a lecturer in the School of Professional Communication at Ryerson University. His novel, A Foreign Country (Dumagrad Books) came out in 2020.

Now you have some more authors to check out! See you next time for more of Mnemosyni’s Musings.