Christina Strigas is a trilingual poet, raised by Greek immigrants, and has written three poetry books. Her latest, Love & Vodka, has been featured by CBC Books in, “Your Ultimate Canadian Poetry List: 68 Poetry Collections Recommended by you.” She has also written seven novels. She is currently working on her fourth upcoming poetry book, Love & Metaxa.
In her spare time, Christina enjoys foreign cinema, reading the classics, and cooking traditional Greek recipes that have been handed down from her grandmother.
She is currently a French teacher for The Montreal English School Board and is a part-time Course Lecturer for McGill (ESL).
Twitter: @christinastriga
What was the last book you read?
I read Watching You by Lisa Jewell, for my book club. It starts off with a murder in a quaint community in England, and focuses on “watching” people and how we never know who is watching us. I really got into the characters and their perspectives. The kind of writing and suspense that makes you say, “Just one more chapter!” I also finished a poetry book by Alberto Rios, The Smallest Muscle in the Human Body, which I found exceptional.
How did you buy it?
The poetry book, The Smallest Muscle in the Human Body, was sent to me by Canyon Copper Press when I sent my manuscript, Love & Metaxa, during their open submissions. Watching You, I bought online on Amazon.ca.
What’s next on your reading list?
I want to read The Pisces by Melissa Broder.
Which writer would you have loved to have met and why?
I would have loved to have met Anaïs Nin —just to feel the energy of being in the same room as her.
What TV series are you obsessing over right now?
I am obsessing over The Office. My kids were re-watching it, and my daughter kept telling me to watch the series. I can’t stop. I find it hysterical and brilliant.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What three books would you want with you?
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, Ulysses by James Joyce and To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
I told you so.
Name your favorite app and why.
Twitter is by far my greatest app. I have been on it for nine years, going on ten, and it has helped me in reaching my innermost thoughts and sharing them with a bunch of strangers — hence reaching a wider and smarter audience. I like to write on Twitter, and I have co-created another account, ArielPoets to inspire young poets and writers about the creative process of writing (along with my friend Alexandra Meehan).
Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Anne Sexton, because when I read her words, I feel as if we understand each other on another level of consciousness.
How does social media aid the publishing industry?
If you’re a writer just starting out, you need to be on social media to promote yourself and your books. Social media helps the publishing industry increase its sales. The more people promote their books and sell, the better the publishing industry succeeds in its goals to sell books. Social media is an author’s greatest tool in promoting their work and selling their books. As a result, the publishing industry is affected.