Susan Ioannou is one of Toronto’s most prominent poets, writes toronto1.one. Her unique style and exceptional literary taste have allowed her to create truly remarkable poems appreciated by readers of all ages. Susan’s work invites both children and adults into a captivating world of poetry, establishing a wide and dedicated fan base.
Early Life
Susan Ioannou was born on October 4, 1944, in Toronto. From a young age, she was drawn to literature, and by her teenage years, she was already crafting serious poetry. Alongside her poetry, Susan also wrote impressive prose pieces.
Education
In 1966, Susan earned her bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Toronto in 1967.
While still a student, Susan received a prestigious poetry award, marking an early milestone in her literary journey.
Teaching
During the 1970s, Susan devoted herself to teaching at a Toronto institute, where she built a successful academic career. In 1973, she was invited to serve as Vice-President of the Ontario Council of Teachers of English, a role that highlighted her contributions to the education field.
Journalism
In addition to teaching, Ioannou explored journalism and achieved notable success in this field.
From 1980 to 1983, she served as editor of Cross Canada Writers Quarterly. She also worked as editor of Coiffure du Canada, co-editor of Poemata, and poetry editor for the Arts Scarborough Newsletter.
A New Chapter
In the 1990s, Susan began conducting poetry workshops for organizations like the Toronto Board of Education and Ryerson University.
Earlier, in 1985, Susan founded the Wordwrights Canada writers’ union. In 1988, she launched poetry courses that ran until 2017, offering aspiring poets the opportunity to refine their craft.
Extensive Publications
Susan’s poetry has been published in numerous literary journals, including Decant, The Prairie Journal of Canadian Literature, Prism International, and Malahat Review.
According to Susan, her poetic process is “meditative,” focusing on vividly capturing the small details of everyday life. She strives for truth in her poetry, seeking perfection in each piece she writes.
“Geological Poems”
One of Susan’s poetry collections, which describes various minerals and rocks, was distributed across schools in Ontario.
Her interest in geology was sparked when her son worked on his doctoral dissertation. Inspired, Susan spent a decade studying geology, searching for poems that could capture geological phenomena. Finding a lack of such works, she decided to write her own “geological poems.”
Awards
Susan’s work has earned her numerous accolades over the years.
In 1990, she received the Memorial Literary Award. In 1997, she was honoured with the Okanagan Award and grants from the Ontario Arts Council, recognizing her contributions to Canadian literature.Image: ca.linkedin.com