Karl Jirgens

Karl Jirgens (born September 5, 1952) is a writer, editor and professor emeritus at the University of Windsor, Ontario. He was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, and attended University of Toronto for his BA, Ontario College of Art where he completed 3 years towards a BFA, and York University for his MA and PhD in 1990. He has taught at the University of Toronto, York University, Guelph University, Humber College, Laurentian University (Algoma), and was the former head of the English Department at the University of Windsor (2004-2009). The journal features contemporary art, writing, and theory from around the world with a focus on Canadian expression. The emergence of Rampike is a part of the larger flourishing small press scene in Toronto at the time. He also served as a member of many scholarly and literary organizations. He participated in Dial-A-Poem Montreal 1985–1987.

Jirgens is an 8th degree black-belt Grand-master in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do, having studied under Grand-master Son, Myung Soo (9th degree black belt). Jirgens founded the Sault Ste. Marie northern school of the Royal Tae Kwon Do Federation (RTF-North) in 1994, and continues to oversee training activities there. The RTF North web-page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/royaltaekwondo/?rf=127491710622573

Publications

Fiction

The Razor's Edge. (short-stories) Erin, ON: The Porcupine's Quill, 2022. A Measure of Time. (short-stories) Toronto, ON: Mercury Press, 1995. Strappado. (short-stories) Toronto, ON: Coach House Books, 1985. Four Words. (short-stories) Toronto, ON: 1W1 Publications, 1979.

Scholarly books Bill Bissett and His Works. Toronto, ON: ECW Press, 1992. Christopher Dewdney and His Works. Toronto, ON: ECQ Press, 1994.

Edited books Jack Bush. Toronto, ON: Coach House, 1997. Children of the Outer Dark: The Poetry of Christopher Dewdney. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2007.