A huge round of applause for our winners:


GEORGEA JOURJOUKLIS - WALTZ

Georgea Jourjouklis is a current University of Toronto alumnus, a future English teacher, and a queer writer with a primary focus on novels, poetry, and normalizing queerness in the fantasy genre.

Anticipation builds as we unveil the extraordinary talent who nearly clinched the crown. Get ready to applaud the unmatched skill and creativity of our first runner-up, whose artistry captivated hearts and minds on the Lyrical Canvas. Stay on the edge of your seat as we honor their remarkable achievement!

FAHEEMA BULBULIA - THE HIGH CIRCLE

“The possibility of knowing nothing at all of any school of painting and of being inspired directly by what is within the soul, without caring whether what is painted will belong to any recognized school.” Anna Kerenina.
These are the words Faheema chooses to borrow for herself, which she finds to resonate most with her writings. Of course, her dream is to be formally published one day, poem by poem, story by story—maybe that is what makes the world go round and round for some.

Get ready to witness the unveiling of sheer brilliance as we introduce the phenomenal talent who captured hearts and minds with their artistry. Join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of our second runner-up, whose creativity and passion have left an indelible mark on the Lyrical Canvas stage. Stay tuned as we honor their exceptional achievement!

GENEVIEVE HARDINGE - DAMSEL IN REPAIR

Genevieve Hardinge is an emerging writer who is desperately attempting to capture the colours of the world with her pen, about as gracefully as a child chasing a balloon that is alluding to them. She is based out of Manitoba, Canada, and has published several poems and non-fiction pieces. Her work is inspired by old, smelly books, herbal teas, and rainy days.

Prepare to be swept away by the awe-inspiring talent of our Lyrical Canvas finalists! As we unveil each finalist, get ready to witness the culmination of creativity, passion, and dedication on our stage. Stay tuned as we celebrate the remarkable journeys of these gifted individuals who have left an indelible mark on the canvas of our hearts.

ALEXANDRA WILLIAMS - CONNECTING DOTS

Alexandra is caught between worlds. Fast-paced male-dominated SaaS feeds her Deliveroo more often than it should as she cooks words into verse in her spare moments. She’s just a simple girl rhyming her second language in a world that feels much bigger with every step she takes from her front door.

M.S. BLUES - A SYMPHONY FROM A COLD HEART

M.S. Blues is an 18-year-old multiracial, queer, and versatile writer who has been writing since the age of seven. Her work revolves around the darker pieces of humanity society tends to neglect. She has been published by many literary magazines and currently serves as an editor to The Amazine, Adolescence Magazine, The Elysian Chronicles, Hyacinthus Zine, and Chromatic Stars Review.

BEN MACNAIR - MODERN MAGIC

Ben Macnair is an award-winning poet and playwright from Staffordshire, in the United Kingdom.

POLINA DATSKO - OH, HOW HAPPY AM I!!!

Polina Datsko is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire. She previously served as a Nonfiction Editor and a Poetry Reader at Under the Madness, and has been published in both printed and online magazines. As an avid lover of self-expression, Polina enjoys theater, dance, music, and (of course).

CHARLES NEWTON - WE’VE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE

Charles N. Newton is a student enrolled at East Carolina University, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in English. Despite being unpublished as of now, he holds a passion for writing and hopes to establish himself as an author in the future.

THE EDGE OF COLOR - MARSHA SOLOMON

Solomon's work has been the subject of many publications. Her work has received extensive critical attention and has been written about in international, national, regional, and local publications like Long Island Pulse Magazine, The Guardian UK, Chelsea News, Art Week, The Suffolk News, Art Slant, and the Daily Record.