John Barton has published thirteen books and ten chapbooks of poetry, a collection of essays, and several anthologies, including Seminal: Canada’s Gay Male Poets (with Billeh Nickerson) and Best Canadian Poetry 2023. He edited two major Canadian literary magazines: Arc (1988–2003) and The Malahat Review (2004–2018). His library and publishing career includes positions at five national museums in Ottawa and editing Vernissage for the National Gallery of Canada. He has taught poetry at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and the University of Victoria, led writing workshops across Canada, and held residencies at Saskatoon Public Library, the University of New Brunswick, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has won several awards, including three Archibald Lampman Awards, an Ottawa Book Award, a National Magazine Award, and a CBC Literary Award. His poems and essays appear in magazines and anthologies worldwide.
Born in Edmonton and raised in Calgary, John lives in Victoria, where he was Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2022. He is a life member of the League of Canadian Poets. His most recent book, Compulsory Figures was published in 2025. His eleventh chapbook, Labyrinth, is forthcoming in 2026.
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