Steeped in skepticism, the stories in Michael Bryson's first collection nonetheless radiate a deep hope. An incarcerated juvenile is glad for time to think. A street kid running from an abusive past finds comfort in a warm, safe bed. A cafe waitress contemplates the violent death of a stranger and moves on in her life with renewed vigour.

In 1999, Michael Bryson founded the online literary magazine, The Danforth Review (TDR), which he ran from 1999-2009 and 2011-2018. TDR published 78 issues of original fiction and conducted 202 interviews with writers. It also published, at various times, poetry, reviews and essays focusing on Canada’s small press scene.

Since the mid-1990s, Michael has published short stories in literary magazines. His books include: The Lizard and other stories (2009). Thirteen Shades of Black and White (1999), and Only a Lower Paradise (2000). He has also published book reviews, essays, poetry, and interviews with writers.

He lives in the city of his birth, Toronto, Canada, treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, and, in the east-end, the Williams Treaty First Nations.

Michael’s story “Six Million Million Miles” appeared in 05: Best Canadian Stories (Oberon, 2005). Other stories won first prize in the Qwerty short fiction contest (2004) and the Word Literary Calendar short fiction contest (2001).

Michael Bryson's profile page