The LIAR ZINE is Capilano University's Student Literary Journal
Want to join the Liar Collective? Are you interested in getting behind the scenes in publishing? Are you a writer or designer looking for a creative course? Are you seeking professional skills like layout, editorial, web design and online marketing? Register now for Capilano University’s ENGL 396: Literary Publishing class. Instructor Steven Maye– former Poetry Editor for the Chicago Review— will guide you through publicity, acquisitions, layout, editorial and launch of the 2025 issue of The Liar. Please email stevenmaye@capilanou.ca with any questions!
INTERESTED IN CONTINUING YOUR STUDIES IN WRITING AND LITERATURE?
Capilano University is delighted to announce we are launching a new BA in Writing & Literature in 2025. Applicaitons open Oct. 1, 2024!
This BA in Writing + Literature will be the BC’s first standalone degree that integrates both Creative Writing and Literature. Classes include ENGL 396: Literary Publishing, alsonside courses in teaching, literary history, creative writing for children, screenwriting, and more. Reach out to BAwritingliterature@capilanou.ca for more information.
2024 Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2023-2024 writing and design contest: Laura Morales Padilla and Anais Bayle!
Laura Morales Padilla
Laura Morales is a Bolivian graphic designer currently living in Vancouver. She was born in Mexico, on September 11, 1998; shortly after her birth, Laura’s family moved to Cochabamba, a city located in the heart of Bolivia.
In 2016, she received a scholarship at the “Universidad Privada Boliviana” where she decided to study Graphic Design. When Laura graduated, she received the “Fundación Julio Leon Prado” award for having the top GPA of class 2021, as an incentive to continue with her studies. In 2019, Laura started her training as a volunteer firefighter in “SAR Bolivia,” which allowed her to do over 1200 hours of volunteer work over the next three years.
In 2022, Laura was accepted in the Associate of Arts Degree program in Capilano University, where she is now studying and working as an International Student Ambassador (Marketing & Communications) in the Centre for International Experience, and as the Communications Manager & Video Production Manager in the Capilano Courier. She received the “Study in BC Writer’s Award” given by the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE) in 2022, and was featured in CapU’s Bring It campaign at the beginning of 2023.
About the piece:
“I migrated before I started walking, so my roots were taught not to grow too deep; however, one can only grow so much until shallow roots give into the need for grip, and through that connection I found meaning. Then, I migrated again.
If my roots were shallow then, now they were floating. For better or worse, I landed in a city that was going through its own identity crisis. Somehow, through this disconnection, I also found meaning. Then, I wrote “All But Grey.” – Laura Morales Padilla
Anaïs Bayle
Anaïs Bayle is a designer, illustrator, and soon-to-be graduate of the Capilano University IDEA School of Design. Whether with pen and paper, needle and thread, or keyboard and mouse, she pursues ideas that click. Anaïs has been recognized a dozen times for her design and illustration work in provincial and national competitions. Although she specializes in branding design, she enjoys illustrating birds in her free time.
About the piece:
This piece, “Oystercatchers,” depicts local seabirds distinct for their fiery-coloured eyes and beaks. As the birds recede into the dark background, both in contrast and rendering approach, all that remains is the burned-in intensity of their striking features.
Notes from the 2023 -2024 Liar Contest Judges
Highlights from This Year’s Issue
Take a sneak peek from some writing and design in this year’s Liar – The Burned Issue
2022-2023 DESIGN CONTEST WINNER
The 2022-2023 Issue Design Winner
Talel McBriar
Talel McBriar is a multimedia artist who uses visual art and music as creative expression. A self-taught painter, Talel primarily finds interest in painting human crowds and figures with acrylic paint. Painted during the beginning of the pandemic, this artwork reflects on being on a subway in New York City and represents the appreciation and nostalgia of being in a crowd, surrounded by others.
Our mission
The Liar, is an independent annual literary zine
published and edited by students.
Since the 1980s, the Liar has featured work from emerging and international authors such as Margaret Atwood, Charles Bukowski, Juliane Okot Bitek, among others
2022 – 2023 Writing Winner
Last year’s winner by Mimi Toma