Greetings friends, foes, and undecided…

I’m Avi Silver—author, editor, poet, co-creator of The Shale Project, and noted reptile dad. Welcome to my website, glad to have you here!

I am the author of the Sãoni Cycle (Two Dark Moons, 2019; Three Seeking Stars, 2021), published through The Shale Project. If you’ve read the first two books in the trilogy and are looking for more queer content featuring giant lizards, I highly recommend you check out Shale! I and my life/business partner, Sienna Tristen, describe this shared world as “a multimedia storytelling initiative roughly in the shape of a planet.” Give the website a poke if you’re looking to explore more, or join us on Patreon for monthly musings and bonus content.

Outside of Shale, I have a short story in Common Bonds: An Aromantic Speculative Anthology. “A Full Deck” is part demon-hunting love letter to my aro and ace friends, part ransom note for the city of Toronto. I also have a short story forthcoming in Nothing Without Us Too!

In the world of poetry, I’m fortunate enough to have two poems published: “passing diamonds” in Strange Horizons, and the Rhysling-nominated “The Captain Flies” in Uncanny Magazine.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on my first full-length poetry collection, which has been funded through the Canada Council for the Arts! The collection is full of speculative poetry that explores my relationship with Ashkenazi Jewish identity. It’s one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever worked on, and I cannot wait to see how it helps me grow as a writer.

I’m also deep in the planning stage of the final book of the Sãoni Cycle, and expect to get started writing the beastie this summer.

When I’m procrastinating on both of these projects I have promised people I will finish, I spend my time writing short stories and poems that I occasionally put out on submission. Keep an eye on my twitter to hear about my latest publications!

I’ve heard something about editing—what’s up with that?

When I’m not working on my own writing, I spend a good deal of my time editing! Right now, most of my attention goes to Augur Magazine, where I serve as Co-Editor-in-Chief with the inimitable Terese Mason Pierre.

I am currently closed to freelance editing projects, but if you are interested in getting my eyes on your poem/short story/novella/novel, feel free to shoot me an email and I’ll let you know when it looks like I might have availability opening up.

Can I book you for an event?

Absolutely!! Panels, workshops, speaking events—I love doing all of these things, and am eager to do more. As above, reach out to me at mxavisilver@gmail.com so we can get something planned.