Student’s debut collection became defining project

Onder studied Creative and Critical Writing at UoG.

Onder Deligoz first completed the Creative Writing program at Humber College, Toronto, where he developed the foundation of his voice and vision. From there, he advanced his studies by enrolling in the MA Creative and Critical Writing Program at the University of Gloucestershire. During this time, he worked closely with his mentor, poet Angela France, to shape his debut poetry collection, A Mirror Reckoning.

This collection, deeply rooted in themes of identity, displacement, and resilience, has become a defining project in his career. Upon completing his studies, Onder has been chosen as the 2025-2026 PEN Writer in Residence at George Brown College, an appointment that reflects both the strength of his work and his commitment to engaging communities in dialogue about literature, democracy, and human rights.

Most recently, his achievements have been further recognised with the Research and Creation Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, awarded in support of A Mirror Reckoning.

This national acknowledgment not only affirms the artistic merit of his work but also ensures its continued development. His journey, written in English as his second language, embodies resilience and the boundless reach of poetry.