The Fight Boredom Zine Residency is back in action, and Clara Bee Lavery is on her way! She’ll be Megabus-ing it here from Toronto and spending two weeks at Full Homo to write, draw, and well, give us something to look forward to this winter. Clara is currently working on a graphic novel about a difficult winter, a short but turbulent relationship, and issues of disordered eating and body image. She describes this as raw and unapologetic, equal parts harsh and tender. If you’ve read any of her recent zines, including Radio Antarctica and I Ain’t Sayin’ You Treated Me Unkind, you know what she means. And if not, you’re in for a treat.

While completing the pencil and inking for a 2015 publication date, she’ll also be making a zine about her favourite things about the winter. Check in with this website later for details about a launch party – and hot apple cider!

When asked why she wants to participate in the residency, Clara says, “Because of the nature of functioning under capitalism, it can be hard to find large, unbroken chunks of time to do the work that is most meaningful to us. The Fight Boredom Zine Residency provides a perfect opportunity to do this and is convenient for me in terms of location and cost. But on a deeper level, Fight Boredom Distro is a gorgeously, thoughtfully curated catalogue that has made room for the voices I’ve been trying to hear over the cacophony of boring dude writers my whole life. Fight Boredom is the tough femme who locks arms with you at the punk show and teaches you how to elbow your way to the front of the pit. It prioritizes the narratives we so desperately need, and being part of that is thrilling to me.” Can you see the hearts in my eyes??

Clara is a punk-rock nanny who takes care of children and plants by day, and spends the rest of her time drawing, reading, exploring cities, listening to records, and drinking coffee. Some of her favourite zines include Telegram by Maranda Elizabeth, Hex Key by Jami Sailor, Tributaries by JC, Motor City Kitty by Brianna Dearest, Dig Deep by Heather C., Deafula by Kerri, Doris by Cindy Crabb, and Vanity Zine (many of which are available via Fight Boredom Distro, FYI). Some other writers she loves are Chris Kraus, Bhanu Kapil Rider, bell hooks, Michael Ondaatje, Michael Chabon, Soraya Peerbaye, Lynda Barry, Julie Doucet, Gabrielle Bell, Junot Diaz, Jorge Luis Borges, Anne Michaels and so many more.

Back porch selfies forever!

You can check out more of her work here. If you’d like to apply for the Fight Boredom Zine Residency, or recommend it to a friend, there is more info here. See you soon, Clara!