Biography

K.V. Skene was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, grew up in Lachine Que. moved to Beaconsfield, Toronto, a small farm in Colborne and a houseboat in Victoria B.C.

In 1993 she moved (temporarily) to England where, except for a year in Ireland, she lived for eighteen years. In 2011 she returned to Toronto and now resides in a highrise near Yonge and St. Clair.

Her poetry sequence, The Whitening of the Ox (Published in Descant 92/93, Vol. 27, No.1&2 1996) was set to music by composer Jeffry Ryan and premiered at the Enwave Theater, Harbourfront, Jan. 29th, 2012 and later enjoyed a west coast premiere at Vancouver's MusicFest in August 12 2012.

Selected Publications

• The Love Life of Bus Shelters, Cinnamon Press (UK), 2019.
  ISBN: 978-1-78864-062-6 See Cinnamon Press
• Unoriginal Sins, erbacce-press (UK), 2018.
  ISBN: 978-1-912455-02-7
• Under Aristotle Bridge, Finishing Line Press (USA), 2015.
  ISBN: 978-1-62229-964-5
• You Can Almost Hear Their Voices, Indigo Dreams Publishing (UK), 2010.
  ISBN: 978-1-907401-10-7
• Love in the (Irrational) Imperfect, Hidden Brook Press (Canada), 2006.
  ISBN: 978-1-894553-71-3
• Edith, Flarestack Publishing (UK), 2004.
  ISBN: 978-1-900397-76-5
• A Calendar of Rain, Micro Prose (Canada), 2004.
  ISBN: 978-0-9734609-1-1
• Only a Dragon, Micro Prose (Canada), 2002.
  ISBN: 978-1-9686018-6-3
• The Arran Designs and other poems, Hilton House (UK), 2001.
  ISBN: 978--900824-96-5
• Elemental Mind, Broken Jaw Press (Canada), 1999.
  ISBN: 978-1-896647-16-2
• The Uncertainty Factor/As a Rock, Tears in the Fence (UK), 1995.
  ISBN: 978-1-900020-02-5
• fire water, Ekstasis Editions Canada Ltd., 1994.
  ISBN: 978-0-921215-72-X
• Pack Rat, Reference West (Canada), 1992.
  ISBN: 978-1-895362-42-0

Selected Anthologies

• Title of Anthology, The Ontario Poetry Society, 2022.
• Poetry Collection Vol 2, Publisher Name, 2020.
• Open Heart 13, TOPS Anthology (Cda), 2019.
• Arborealis, A Beret Days Book (Cda), 2019.
• The Dream The Glory and The Strife (CCLA Members Anthology) (Cda), 2018.
• Beyond Forgetting, Celebrating 100 Years of AL Purdy, Harbour Publishing (Cda), 2018.
• The Ultra Best Short Verse 2018, A Beret Days Book (Cda), 2018.
• Heartwood (A League of Canadian Poets Anthology) (Cda), 2018.
• Delicate Impact (An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Verse) (Cda), 2018.
• Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest Anthology (Cda), 2018.
• The Ultra Best Short Verse (Beret Days Press) (Cda), 2018.
• Transitory Tango, TOPS Anthology (Cda), 2017.
• Canada's 150th, Who We Are, Where We Are, Where We Need To Be Going, Artfest Ontario (Cda), 2017.
• The Stony Thursday Book, No. 15 (Ireland), Winter 2016.
• The Literary Gourmet Revisited, A Canadian Anthology of poetry & Recipes, Beret Days Press (Cda), 2017.
• Perfect as a Picture, Poetry Contest Anthology, Beret Days Press (Cda), 2017.
• Infinite Riches in a Little Room - Poems from the BackRoom Poets, Oxford, 1999-2016 (UK), 2016.
• Fire and Sky, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry (Cda), 2016.
• The Bannister, Niagara Poetry Anthology, Vol. 31 (Cda), 2016.
• Arborealis (A Beret Day Book) (Cda), 2016.
• Latchkey Lyricality (TOPS Anthology) (Cda), 2016.
• Memory and Loss, Ink Bottle Press (TOPS) (Cda), 2016.
• Clean as a Whistle, TOPS Anthology (Cda), 2016.
• Open Heart 10, TOPS Anthology (Cda), 2016.
• The Ultra Best Short Verse 2015, Beret Days Press (TOPS) (Cda), 2015.
• Food for Thought, Beret Days Press (TOPS) (Cda), 2015.
• Crossing Borders, Hidden Brook Press (Cda), 2015.
• A Rewording Life, Edited by Sheryl Gordon (Cda), 2015.
• Mindshadows, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry (TOPS) (Cda), 2015.
• Poems for a Liminal Age, A SPM (Sentinel Poetry Movement) publication (UK), 2015.
• Open Heart 9, The Ontario Poetry Society, 2015.
• Family Ties, Hidden Brook Press, 2014.
• The Stony Thursday Book, (Ireland), 2014.
• The Saving Bannister, Niagara Poetry Anthology, 2014.
• Scarlett Thistles, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry, 2014.
• Sparkle & Shine, Poetry Contest Anthology, 2014.
• Arborealis, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry, 2014.
• Open Heart 8, The Ontario Poetry Society, 2014.
• En Compass III, The Ontario Poetry Society, 2013.
• Grandfather, Father and Me, Hidden Brook Press, 2013.
• What We Carry Home, Ascent Aspirations Publishing, 2013.
• Lemon Tradewinds, TOPS Anthology, 2013.
• Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest Anthology, 2013.
• The Ultra Best Short Verse, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry, 2013.
• Heart Shoots, Anthology Indigo Dreams Publishing, March 2013 (UK).
• Arborealis, A Canadian Anthology of Poetry 2012, A Beret Days Book, February 2013.
• Octopus, Templar Poetry Anthology 2012 (UK).
• The Saving Bannister, Niagara Poetry Anthology, Vol. 27, 2012.
• That Not Forgotten, Indigo Dreams Publishing, 2012.
• Sylvia is Missing, Flarestack Poets Pamphlet Competition, Anthology 2012 (UK).
• Close to Quitting Time, Ascent Aspirations Publishing, 2011.
• Snap, Templar Poetry Anthology 2010 (UK).
• Visible Breath, Indigo Dreams Anthology, Winter 2010 (UK).
• Crab Lines Off The Pier, Indigo Dreams Anthology, Summer 2010 (UK).
• The World is Made of Glass, Ragged Raven Press, 2010 (UK).
• By the Winter Fires, Indigo Dreams Press, 2009 (UK).
• Mr. Barton Isn't Paying, Flarestack Competition Anthology, 2009 (UK).
• Ascent Aspirations Anthology Seven, Spring 2009 (UK).
• Losing the Edge, Ragged Raven Press, 2009 (UK).
• The Wisdom of Old Souls, Hidden Brook Press, 2008.
• Peterloo Poets Open Poetry Competition Anthology, 2008 (UK).
• Ascent Aspirations Anthology Five, Spring 2008.
• Borderless Sky/Cielo sin fronteras, CCLA, Hidden Brook Press, 2007.
• Myth Weavers, Serengeti Press, 2007.
• Agua Terra', Ascent Aspirations, 2007.
• Illuminations, Evolving Editions, 2006 (USA).
• The Book of Hopes and Dreams, bluechrome publishing, 2006 (UK).
• Ascent Aspirations, 2005.
• Piety and Plum Porridge, Blinking Eye Publishing, December 2005 (UK).
• And no one knows the blood we share, League of Canadian Poets, 2005.
• Boho - bringing it all back home, 2005 (UK).
• bluechrome anthology, 2005 (UK).
• Dorset Perspectives, January 2005 (UK).
• Dark Lullaby, Sandburg-Livesay Anthology, 2004.
• The Ticking Crocodile, Blinking Eye Publishing Anthology, 2004 (UK).
• The Forward Press Top 100 Poems, 2004 (UK).
• No Love Lost III, Hidden Brook Press, 2004.
• Boho Woman Peeling Oranges, boho press, 2004 (UK).
• bluechrome anthology, 2004 (UK).
• Handprints On The Future, CPA Anthology (Cda), 2003.
• Salisbury Festival's Book of Trees, 2002 (UK).
• Windfall, C.P.A. Anthology, 2002.
• A.A.S. 2000 Poetry Competition Winners' Anthology, 2000 (UK).
• Seeds Poetry Anthology, #2, Spring 2000.
• Grand Millennium Anthology, Coventry Poetry Prize (UK), 1999.
• Waiting for You to Speak, Sandburg-Livesay Anthology (Cda), 1999.
• Sing for the Inner Ear, Sandburg-Livesay Anthology (Cda), 1998.
• Strong Winds, Sandburg-Livesay Anthology (Cda), 1997.
• Dorset Waters, ESP (UK), 1997.
• Doors of the Morning, CPA Anthology (Cda), 1997.
• Dorset Contours, ESP (UK), 1996.
• Decade - Frogmore Poetry Prize, (UK), August 1996.
• Versatility, Tears in the Fence (UK), 1996.
• Alberta Poetry Yearbook, (Cda), June 1990.
• Best International Poems, WPBS Poetry (Cda), 1986.

Awards

• Open Heart 9 Poetry Contest, 2015 - Honourable Mention (2)
• Cinnamon Press Single Poem Competition, 2014 - Highly Commended
• Sparkle and Shine Poetry Contest, 2014 - Judges Choice (3)
• CAA Niagara Branch, The Saving Bannister, 2014 - First
• Cardiff International Poetry Competition, 2014 - Third
• Shades of Imagery (TOPS), 2014 - Second
• The Open Heart Poetry Competition, 2014 - Honourable Mention (2)
• The Ultra Short Poetry Competition, 2013 - Honourable Mention
• The Golden Grassroots Chapbook Award, 2013 - 1st & 4th Honourable Mention
• Sparkle and Shine Poetry Contest, 2013 - Honourable Mention
• Dr. W. H. Drummond Poetry Contest, 2013 - Honourable Mention
• The Ultra Short Poem Competition, 2012 - Fourth
• The Arborealis Prize for Poetry, 2012 - Runner up
• The Geoff Stevens Memorial Poetry Prize, 2012 - Highly Commended
• CAA Niagara Branch The Saving Bannister, 2012 - First
• IDP Annual Poetry Awards, 2010 - First
• IDP Annual Poetry Awards, 2010 - Commended
• Purple Patch Small Press Poet of the Year, 2009 - Award
• Indigo Dreams Winter Collection Competition, 2009 - Winner
• Ragged Raven 12th Annual Poetry Competition, 2009 - First
• Indigo Dreams Press Poetry Competition, 2009 - Highly Commended
• Second Light, 2009 - Short Listed
• Scintilla Open Poetry Competition, 2009 - Commended
• Ascent Aspirations, Anthology Seven, 2009 - Honourable Mention
• Envoi International Poetry Competition 153, 2009 - Runner up
• Faringdon Poetry Contest, 2008 - Commended
• The Writers Bureau, 2008 - Fourth
• 8th Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest, 2008 - Third
• ARM/Demeter Press, 2008 - First
• Indigo Dreams Press Poetry Awards, 2008 - Third
• Dawntreader Poetry Awards, 2008 - Second
• Southport Writers' Circle, 2008 - Third
• Strokestown International Poetry Competition, 2008 - Shortlisted
• Peterloo Poetry Competition, 2008 - Placed
• Indigo Dreams Press Poetry Competition, 2007 - Highly Commended
• The Writers Bureau, 2007 - Fifth
• Shelagh Nugent Poetry Award, 2007 - Commended
• Indigo Dreams Press Poet of the Year - First
• Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award, 2004 - First
• Forward Press Top 100, 2004 - Commended
• No Love Lost III, 2004 - Runner Up
• bluechrome, 2004 - Commended
• CPA, 2003 - Honourable Mention
• bluechrome, 2004 - Third
• Mere Literary Festival, 2003 - Shortlisted
• Classic Turkish Van Cats Association, 2003 - Third
• CPA, 2002 - Sixth
• Shaunt Basmajian Chapbook Award, 2002 - First
• Envoi 131, 2002 - Second
• Writers Bureau Poetry Comp, 2001 - Fifth
• Poem of the Year, Hub City, 2000 - Second
• Hilton House Open Poetry Comp., 2000 - Third
• ARUN Millennium Poetry Contest, 2000 - Commended
• Canadian Literary Awards, 1999 - Shortlisted
• People's Poem Contest (Summer 1999) - Runner-up
• Mere Literary Festival, 1999 - Merit Award
• CPA Poetry Comp - Joint Third
• AAS '99 - First
• Envoi 122, 1999 - Joint Second Prize
• Cherrytree Chapbook Contest, 1997 - Honourable Mention
• Lake Aske Open Poetry Comp., 1997 - Merit Award
• Nova Poetica, Winter 1996 - Special Commendation
• Peoples Poetry Letter, 1996 - Top Ten
• Writers' Journal, 1996 - Honourable Mention
• White Mice Contest, 1996 - Honourable Mention
• Sunk Island Poetry Competition, 1995 - Fourth Prize
• Frogmore Poetry Prize, 1995 - Shortlisted
• Writers' Journal, 1995 - Honourable Mention
• Lace, 1995 - Highly Recommended
• Orbis, 1994 - Second
• The Amethyst Review, 1994 - Honourable Mention
• Tears in the Fence (East Street Poets), 1994 - First Runner Up
• Hope Writers' Guild, 1992 - Third
• Writer's Digest, 1992 - Honourable Mention
• CAA (Victoria & Island Branch) - Writer of the Year Award Second
• Literary Writes (Federation of B.C. Writers), 1991 - Honourable Mention
• Cecilia Lamont Lit. Contest, 1991 - First
• Writer's Digest, 1991 - Honourable Mention
• Kentucky State Poetry Society, 1990 - Third & 2 Hon. Mentions
• CAA (Victoria & Island Branch) Writer of the Year Award, First Runner Up
• Abacus & Rose (The Discovery Center), 1989 - Second
• Maplecon 11, 1989 - Honourable Mention
• CAA (Victoria & Island Branch) Writer of the Year Award - Honourable Mention
• Canadian Author, March 1988 - First
• Maplecon 10, 1988 - Third
• Rhyme Time, 1988 - Honourable Mention
• Maplecon 9, 1987 - Honourable Mention
• WPBS Poetry, 1986 - First