Descant is a quarterly journal publishing new and established contemporary writers and visual artists from Canada and around the world. Begun in 1970 as a mimeograph, Descant has evoled into an internationally recognized literary and arts focused journal. Based in Toronto, Descant usually publishes issues revolving around a central theme, or focusing on a single artist. Issue themes have included Male Desire, Romantic Love, Anatomy and Music, and Cats & Dogs and as well those devoted to exploring the cultures of various countries.

Published authors

• Margaret Atwood • Timothy Findley • Jane Urquhart • Desi DiNardo • Anne Michaels • Tom McGuane • Barbara Gowdy • R.M. Kinder • Isabel Allende • Susan McCaslin • Karen Mulhallen • Leon Rooke • Martha Silano • Ryan Van Cleave • Evelyn Lau • Paul Vermeersch • Bryan Boodhoo • Michael Ondaatje and many others.

Published Artists

• Ryan Burghard • Christine Davis • Stan Douglas • Cory Fuhr • Lydia K • Kris Knight • Braden Labonte • Mark Laliberte • Chantale Michaud • Geoffrey Pugen

Geoffrey Pugen

-Career:Working with video, film, performance, and photography, Pugen explores alternate realities through simulating and re-contextualizing media histories....

• Magda Trzaski • Donald Weber • Balint Zsako

Now Hear This!

Descant created a youth literacy outreach program called Now Hear This! The program connects professional authors with community groups, students and aspiring writers.