Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate. His memoir Crooked Teeth received raving reviews and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction. His latest novel, The Foghorn Echoes, won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and was nominated for both the BC & Yukon Book Prizes and the City of Vancouver Book Award. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won the Independent Publisher Book Award, was longlisted for Canada Reads, and has been translated into multiple languages.
Ramadan is also the author of the award-winning Salma children’s series, which has received the Nautilus Book Award, the Publishing Triangle Award, the Middle East Book Award, and numerous other accolades.
Since arriving in Canada, he has raised over $300,000 to support LGBTQ+ refugees, securing safe passage for more than two dozen queer and trans individuals. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Adler University.
He lives in Vancouver with his husband and two dogs — and when he’s not writing, he’s probably playing video games.
Speaking Topics
Exploring Identity, Storytelling, and Social Justice through Lived Experience
The Immigration Journey
Ramadan speaks thoughtfully and with lived experience about the journey of immigration — from the personal realities of leaving Syria and building a new life in Canada, to the broader challenges faced by refugees and newcomers. Blending memoir-style storytelling with current research, he explores the emotional, political, and cultural impact of migration. His tone is candid, compassionate, and often humorous, offering space for honest conversations about belonging, identity, and resilience.
Intersectionality in Activism and the Writing Life
With a deep understanding of layered identities, Ramadan offers insights into how intersectionality can shape both creative work and community advocacy. Whether he’s discussing the role of intersectionality in building inclusive movements or developing fully realized characters on the page, his approach is clear, grounded, and inviting. Ramadan’s background as a writer, activist, and union leader allows him to navigate this topic with nuance, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences.
Writing Across Genres: Craft, Editing, and Storytelling Tools
As a writer of novels, memoir, and children’s literature, Ramadan brings a multi-genre perspective to conversations about writing craft. He speaks about narrative structure, editing strategies, voice, and revision, offering practical tools for writers at any stage of their career. His sessions are accessible, flexible, and often shaped by the needs of the audience — whether they’re new writers in classrooms or professionals in literary spaces. Ramadan’s style is friendly, generous, and focused on growth rather than perfection.
Queerness and Identity
Ramadan brings warmth, openness, and clarity to conversations around queerness — both as a lived experience and as a lens through which to view art, culture, and personal growth. He reflects on his own journey as a queer man from the Middle East and how it has shaped his voice, community, and storytelling. His talks offer space for vulnerability, joy, and honest reflection, making them especially resonant in educational and community-focused settings.