Chelene Knight Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Poetry Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Essais Books

About Chelene Knight

Chelene Knight is a Canadian memoir writer and poet known for crafting stories that captivate readers with engaging narratives. She wrote ‘Braided Skin,’ published by Mother Tongue in 2015, and is also the author of ‘Dear Current Occupant.’ This memoir won the 2018 Vancouver Book Award and was long-listed for a George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature. Her work often leaves a lasting impression, showcasing her many strengths as a writer.

Knight’s writing includes creating well-rounded characters and protagonists, making her stories entertaining and relatable. Her talent shines in her ability to weave together complex themes with vivid imagery and a unique voice. This gift allows her to tell compelling stories that resonate with readers. By highlighting real-life experiences and emotions, she bridges a connection between the reader and her narratives.

The narratives crafted by Knight are engaging and thought-provoking, reflecting her deep understanding of social and personal issues. Her ability to explore these topics with authenticity adds another layer of depth to her writing. Readers are drawn to her storytelling, which is both insightful and entertaining. She continues to be celebrated for her contributions to literature, leaving audiences eager for more of her work.

She entertains readers across the globe by writing stories that stay true to her own experiences and perspectives. Her genuine and authentic voice resonates with audiences, making her narratives relatable and compelling. By infusing her work with personal insights and unique storytelling approaches, Knight creates a strong connection with readers everywhere. Her ability to weave together universal themes with individual experiences allows her stories to reach and captivate a diverse audience.

Her writing is deeply rooted in honesty, which makes her stories both engaging and authentic. By staying true to her own life experiences, she brings a refreshing level of sincerity to her narratives. This authenticity shines through in her portrayal of characters and situations, transporting readers into her world. Through her candid storytelling, she invites readers to explore unique perspectives while maintaining a universal appeal.

Knight’s work captivates audiences by balancing personal authenticity with entertaining storytelling. Her narratives draw readers in with their detailed descriptions and vibrant characters, keeping them engaged from start to finish. By sharing stories that reflect her own truth, she offers a refreshing voice in the literary world that both entertains and resonates with people from various backgrounds. Her writing continues to inspire and entertain readers worldwide, always staying true to who she is.

Early and Personal Life

Chelene Knight was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a Black and South Asian heritage. She discovered her passion for writing early on and pursued it at Simon Fraser University’s Writer’s Studio. Her work has been featured in respected publications like The Walrus and The Globe and Mail.

Knight debuted with her poetry book, ‘Braided Skin,’ in 2015. She drew from personal experiences for her 2018 memoir, ‘Dear Current Occupant,’ about her childhood in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. This unique mix of poetry, prose, and photography won the City of Vancouver Book Award and gained critical recognition.

Beyond writing, Knight is an active part of Vancouver’s literary community. She has served in editorial roles and founded Breathing Space Creative to support writers. She’s also an associate literary agent and teaches poetry at the University of Toronto. Her novel ‘Junie,’ explores Vancouver’s historical Black neighborhood and reflects her continuous growth as an author.

Writing Career

Chelene Knight’s writing career is marked by notable achievements and diverse works. Her 2022 novel ‘Junie’ won the Vancouver Book Award and received recognition in the Carol Shields Fiction Prize and Ferro-Grumley Prize for LGBTQ fiction. Known for her storytelling, Knight continues to gain acclaim in the literary world.

In 2024, she released ‘Let It Go,’ a narrative nonfiction book through HarperCollins Canada. Following this, a guided journal for writers was published with House of Anansi in 2025. Knight’s essays have appeared in esteemed journals and publications like The Walrus, the Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Star. She continues to contribute meaningfully to literature, with more work on the horizon.

Braided Skin

Chelene Knight’s poetry collection, ‘Braided Skin,’ was published on March 1, 2015. The book was released by Mother Tongue Publishing, showcasing Knight’s talent in the realm of poetry. This collection marks an important step in her writing career, gaining attention from readers and establishing her as a notable poet.

The collection itself explores the experiences of blended ethnicity, city childhood, poverty, and youthful dreams through a vibrant collection of voices. Chelene Knight weaves a confident rhythm with poetry, prose, and erasure, using braiding as a metaphor for intertwined lives and histories. The title poem, ‘Braided Skin,’ introduces the idea of entwining and crossing, suggesting a delicate balance of cohesion and potential unraveling.

Throughout, Knight reflects on race, family, and relationships, posing questions that transform from concrete objects to abstractions and memories, ultimately becoming something she breathes in and internalizes.

Readers will appreciate Chelene Knight’s collection for its rhythmic poetry and thought-provoking exploration of identity, race, and relationships. This collection captivates and resonates deeply.

Dear Current Occupant

Chelene Knight’s autobiographical memoir, ‘Dear Current Occupant,’ was published on March 1, 2018, by BookThug. The memoir is part of the ‘Essais Series,’ appearing as the fifth book in the collection. This inclusion places Knight’s work alongside those of other noted writers in the series.

This creative nonfiction memoir explores themes of home and belonging in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside during the 1980s and 1990s. Chelene Knight uses letters addressed to current occupants of the twenty homes she once lived in with her mother and brother to reflect on her childhood.

Through vivid, non-chronological memories, she shares experiences of fitting in as a mixed East Indian/Black child and recalls aspects like parental drug use. By addressing strangers now living in her past homes, Knight reconstructs her own history, longing for a sense of home and belonging.

As a memoir it captures Knight’s poignant exploration of identity and belonging. Her vivid storytelling invites readers into a heartfelt journey. This memoir thoughtfully reconstructs a complex past, offering relatable insights.