Sexting the cherry

Our online lives examined in stories


“As a book critic, I began to notice more and more short-story writers, like Greg Kearney and Zoe Whittall, using the conventions of social media in the form and content of their stories. Really inventive pieces where email and texting and blogging became a part of the work. I was curious about what this might mean in the evolution of fiction.”

Syms’s exploration led to his new anthology, Friend. Follow. Text. #storiesFromLivingOnline, which collects a wide range of stories on how our various internet obsessions enrich, enlighten or unravel our lives. Joining the award-winning Kearney and Whittall in its pages are queer authors Trevor Corkum, K Tait Jarboe and Alex Leslie, Gay Times Book of the Year winner Clayton Littlewood and playwrights Marcy Rogers and Dorianne Emmerton.

“I really wanted to make space for women, queer and trans writers and writers of colour,” Syms says, “and I’m really happy with how things turned out in that regard. I love the breadth and depth and variety of the pieces in this book. And I think some of the more experimental ones may be really rewarding for adventurous readers. As one example, Angelique Stevens’s story Spiral is told entirely through a transcript of voice mails, texts, emails and phone calls. From this unique formal approach, a coherent story emerges — as spring turns to summer, family members come together and apart as they respond to a sister whose life is spiralling out of control.”

In looking at our brave new world of 24/7 interconnectedness from such a wide range of viewpoints, did any one image emerge from all the tweets?

A former editor of the late, lamented fab magazine, Scott has been writing for Xtra since 2007 on a variety of topics in news pieces, interviews, blogs, reviews and humour pieces. He lives on the Danforth with his boyfriend of 12 years, a manic Jack Russell Terrier, a well-stocked mini-bar and a shelf of toy Daleks.

Read More About:
Books, Culture, Arts, Toronto

Keep Reading

Six members of the Rideau Speedeaus hold a sign with the league's name on it in front of a pool

Queer sports leagues offer safety and joy

Recreational sports leagues across Canada are offering LGBTQ2S+ people something essential: the freedom to just show up and play
The cover of 'I Remember Lights'; Ben Ladouceur

‘I Remember Lights’ is a time machine trip to Montreal’s gay past

Ben Ladouceur’s rigorously researched new novel is romantic, harrowing and transportive
A black and white photo of speakers at a rally; a sign that says "Love and Let Love" hangs behind them

‘Parade’ invites us to embrace queer history to tackle the present

Noam Gonick’s new documentary turns the spotlight on Canada’s long-overlooked LGBTQ2S+ activists to tell their stories
Countess Luann holding a microphone

Countess Luann on cabaret superstardom, Kenya Moore and life after ‘The Real Housewives’

“Elegance is learned, my friends,” and the Countess’s class is in session