.jpg)
Who we are
Founded on October 13, 2012, Mcsway set out to revive the vibrant tradition of spoken poetry at McGill University. Today, we’re a thriving collective, offering a dynamic platform for artists of all levels, welcoming both McGill students and the broader Montreal public. Our mission is to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and accessible space where writers, poets, and artists can connect, grow, and build a supportive creative community.
How to get involved
Stay in the loop with our latest events through social media or by subscribing to our listserv. Below are some of our core activities. Interested in collaborating? Get in touch via email or social media.
Open mics
Love spoken word? Sign up to share your original pieces in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, or join us as part of the audience to enjoy the voices of our local talent. We also occasionally feature special guest poets.
Workshops
Looking to sharpen your skills? Join us for hands-on workshops where you'll learn new writing and editing techniques with fellow poetry lovers.
Snaps Online Journal
Got poetry? Submit to Snaps. Whether you're a seasoned poet or just starting out, we want to hear from you. Our editors are eager to dive into your words—send us your best work!
Mcsway Poetry Collective would like to acknowledge that the land we meet on in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka, also known as the Keepers of the Eastern Door. The lands and waters on which we meet have long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. We have a responsibility as people who enjoy this land to acknowledge that this land was taken from the Kanien’kehà:ka by settler colonialists, and that colonialism continues to exist in Canada today, through the government taking natural resources from unceded indigenous territory. One of Mcsway’s priorities is to create a safe space where indigenous writers are welcome to share their work. It’s up to us to resist colonialism in any form it may take, to bring justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls across Canada, and to make Truth and Reconciliation real in the communities we’re part of.