Portfolio: Publishing Overview
Magazine editor
Xtra Magazine
Pink Triangle Press, September 1996-December 2009; December 2019-present
I was the arts and entertainment editor of Xtra, Canada's largest LGBTQ2S+ newspaper, for 13 years. During my long tenure, I raised the art section's level of writing and criticism to a high level; it played a crucial role in the country's cultural sector. From international art stars to indie locals, the position offered me an amazing vantage point on art and culture in Canada and beyond. A great deal of my writing is still on xtramagazine.com; in addition, a number of my favourite pieces can be found by browsing through the Portfolio pages using the buttons or menu above. I art directed the majority of cover shoots. See a selection of favourite covers here. Prior to being on staff, I wrote a monthly column for Xtra, called "Bent Dissent," from 1992 to 1996. In December 2019, I returned to Xtra as executive editor.
Pink Triangle Press, September 1996-December 2009; December 2019-present
I was the arts and entertainment editor of Xtra, Canada's largest LGBTQ2S+ newspaper, for 13 years. During my long tenure, I raised the art section's level of writing and criticism to a high level; it played a crucial role in the country's cultural sector. From international art stars to indie locals, the position offered me an amazing vantage point on art and culture in Canada and beyond. A great deal of my writing is still on xtramagazine.com; in addition, a number of my favourite pieces can be found by browsing through the Portfolio pages using the buttons or menu above. I art directed the majority of cover shoots. See a selection of favourite covers here. Prior to being on staff, I wrote a monthly column for Xtra, called "Bent Dissent," from 1992 to 1996. In December 2019, I returned to Xtra as executive editor.
Curios and Conundrums
Mysterious Package Company, January 2016-December 2017
National Geographic meets Mad magazine by way of McSweeny's and H.P. Lovecraft...?! I was editor in chief of this unique entertainment publication that featured serious essays on history, mythology and the arts, combined with fiction, black humour, off-kilter satire, esoteric mysteries, alternative realities, brain-busting puzzles and more. The quixotic quarterly was produced with thematically relevant ephemera and objects and delivered in beautifully designed packaging. I was responsible for a wholesale revamp at the beginning of my tenure and a significant retooling at the start of the second year. I contributed a significant portion of the content, as well as leading the packaging design and much of the product design. A project like no other. Check out my blog for more detailed explorations.
Mysterious Package Company, January 2016-December 2017
National Geographic meets Mad magazine by way of McSweeny's and H.P. Lovecraft...?! I was editor in chief of this unique entertainment publication that featured serious essays on history, mythology and the arts, combined with fiction, black humour, off-kilter satire, esoteric mysteries, alternative realities, brain-busting puzzles and more. The quixotic quarterly was produced with thematically relevant ephemera and objects and delivered in beautifully designed packaging. I was responsible for a wholesale revamp at the beginning of my tenure and a significant retooling at the start of the second year. I contributed a significant portion of the content, as well as leading the packaging design and much of the product design. A project like no other. Check out my blog for more detailed explorations.
In Toronto
Mint Media, February 2011-May 2013
In Toronto (now In Magazine) is the respected LGBTQ2S+ city magazine I created in 2010 for Mint Media. I'm very proud of the work I did here on a shoestring budget. The look was polished and seductive; the content was timely and relevant; the tone was mature but not stuffy. My contributing team was topnotch. We broke a number of news stories and covered the community in a way that it had never been covered before. You can browse the digital back catalogue here; I was editor in chief of the first 36 issues, that's May 2010 to May 2013. In addition, you can find a number of my In Toronto stories and features using the Portfolio buttons or menu above.
Mint Media, February 2011-May 2013
In Toronto (now In Magazine) is the respected LGBTQ2S+ city magazine I created in 2010 for Mint Media. I'm very proud of the work I did here on a shoestring budget. The look was polished and seductive; the content was timely and relevant; the tone was mature but not stuffy. My contributing team was topnotch. We broke a number of news stories and covered the community in a way that it had never been covered before. You can browse the digital back catalogue here; I was editor in chief of the first 36 issues, that's May 2010 to May 2013. In addition, you can find a number of my In Toronto stories and features using the Portfolio buttons or menu above.
Ultimate Pride Guide
Pink Triangle Press, 1997-2009
While I was at Xtra, my responsibilities included the Ultimate Pride Guide, an attractive and comprehensive listings digest. From 2003 to 2009 I commissioned a series of cover illustrations from an amazing string of artists: Maurice Vellekoop, Daryl Vocat, Stephanie Power, Ian Phillips, John Webster, Jillian Tamaki and J Bone.
Pink Triangle Press, 1997-2009
While I was at Xtra, my responsibilities included the Ultimate Pride Guide, an attractive and comprehensive listings digest. From 2003 to 2009 I commissioned a series of cover illustrations from an amazing string of artists: Maurice Vellekoop, Daryl Vocat, Stephanie Power, Ian Phillips, John Webster, Jillian Tamaki and J Bone.
Go Big: Life and Style
Pink Triangle Press, 2000-2001
I created this national magazine for Xtra's publisher, Pink Triangle Press. The beautifully-designed, oversized photo-based magazine had a brief but glorious existence in 2000 and 2001 (here are the three covers). While still editing the arts and entertainment section of Xtra, I spearheaded the creation and delivery of Go Big, from concept and editorial content to photo assignments and art direction. The first issue alone included profiles of a convicted murderer in Vancouver, the gay mayor of Winnipeg, twin fashion designers in Milan, a 100-year-old lesbian activist in Detroit, and comedian Mary Walsh discussing satire surrounded by men in vintage underwear. The magazine was something special. Still considered the most widely distributed LGBTQ2S+ publication in Canada.
Pink Triangle Press, 2000-2001
I created this national magazine for Xtra's publisher, Pink Triangle Press. The beautifully-designed, oversized photo-based magazine had a brief but glorious existence in 2000 and 2001 (here are the three covers). While still editing the arts and entertainment section of Xtra, I spearheaded the creation and delivery of Go Big, from concept and editorial content to photo assignments and art direction. The first issue alone included profiles of a convicted murderer in Vancouver, the gay mayor of Winnipeg, twin fashion designers in Milan, a 100-year-old lesbian activist in Detroit, and comedian Mary Walsh discussing satire surrounded by men in vintage underwear. The magazine was something special. Still considered the most widely distributed LGBTQ2S+ publication in Canada.
Freelance writer and commentator
As a freelancer writer, my work has appeared in a number of publications (where I wasn't an editor) such as EnRoute, Bold, Canada's Best 100, Fashion, Block, Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail's Report on Business Magazine, The Grid, Azure, Zoomer, B Insider, Ferrari’s Guides and Out. My on-camera interviews regularly appeared on Daily Xtra. In 2018 I debuted my first play, The Ding Dong Girls, a musical with songs by Tony-winner Lisa Lambert, co-written with Dora-winner Christopher Richards. I am currently working on my debut novel, generously supported by the Toronto Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.