June marks the celebration of Pride Month! In honor of this occasion, we are showcasing the newest and most remarkable fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and comics created by 2SLGBTQ+ writers in Canada that should be on your reading list this year.
**”A Minor Chorus” by Billy Ray Belcourt**
“A Minor Chorus” by Billy Ray Belcourt is a captivating novel that revolves around an unnamed narrator who abandons his thesis and returns to his hometown. Through a series of conversations, the novel delves into contemporary queer and Indigenous experiences.
Billy Ray Belcourt, a writer and academic hailing from Driftpile Cree Nation in Alberta, has received accolades for his literary works. Belcourt won the prestigious 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize for his initial poetry collection, “This Wound is a World.” Additionally, he was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry. Belcourt’s literary repertoire also includes the memoir “A History of My Brief Body” and the short story collection “Coexistence.” Presently, he resides in Vancouver, where he imparts knowledge on creative writing at the University of British Columbia.
**”Motherclown” by Harriet Alida Lye**
In the novel “Motherclown,” protagonist Elise embarks on a journey to Paris to pursue clowning after her father’s passing. Meanwhile, her mother, Catherine, feeling isolated in Canada, decides to rekindle her creativity by following her daughter to Paris. As Catherine attempts to share a regretful secret with Elise, their relationship faces challenges that must be overcome.
Harriet Alida Lye, a Toronto-based author, has penned various works including novels like “Let It Destroy You” and “The Honey Farm,” a memoir titled “Natural Killer,” and the collaborative picture book “Serge the Snail Without a Shell.”
**”And Then Again Begin” by H. Nigel Thomas**
Volume 4 of The No Safeguards Quartet, “And Then Again Begin” by H. Nigel Thomas, portrays the lives of two married men in Montreal. Despite their seemingly ideal lives to friends, they conceal their relationship from their parents in St. Vincent. The novel delves into one man’s unresolved trauma and his past as a Methodist minister.
H. Nigel Thomas, a Vincentian Canadian author renowned for his diverse literary works across fiction, poetry, and literary criticism, has been honored with awards such as the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize and the Jackie Robinson Professional of the Year Award. He calls Montreal his home.
**”Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid**
Published in 2019, “Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid is the second book in the Game Changers series, inspiring a popular television series. The narrative follows the relationship between rival pro hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, grappling with transitioning from a casual romance to a deeper connection. As their bond strengthens, they face the dilemma of prioritizing their love for the game or each other.
Rachel Reid, a Nova Scotia-based author acclaimed for her queer hockey romances, has also authored titles such as “Time To Shine.” Her exceptional contributions to literature were recognized with the 2026 Changemaker Award for the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Canada.
**”A Kiss of Crimson Ash” by Anuja Varghese**
“A Kiss of Crimson Ash” by Anuja Varghese narrates the tale of Taara, the new Queen of Abhaya, betrothed to Prince Garjan of Nandapore. Despite being in love with a courtesan named Bhediya, Prince Garjan is obligated to marry Taara. When a thief named Roland uncovers a king’s sinister plot, the quartet teams up with an ancient goddess to thwart the power-hungry monarch.
Anuja Varghese, known for her award-winning short story collection “Chrysalis,” has received prestigious literary accolades including the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers and the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction.
**”The Cure for Drowning” by Loghan Paylor**
“The Cure for Drowning” by Loghan Paylor, a historical fiction novel, tells the story of Kit McNair’s journey from her upbringing in an Irish farming family in Ontario to her experiences with love and loss. The narrative delves into a complex love triangle involving Kit, her brother Landon, and Rebekah, a German-Canadian doctor’s daughter, leading to familial strife and eventual reconciliation.
Loghan Paylor, an Ontario-born author currently residing in B.C., holds an MA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. Their debut novel, “The Cure for Drowning,” garnered critical acclaim, being longlisted for the 2024 Giller Prize and winning the prestigious Canada Reads 202