Carling Kirby

My work ethic revolves around what I call the Three C’s: collaboration, communication, and community. Over the last five years, I have gained copy-editing and writing experience through Sheridan College’s Creative Writing & Publishing program, as well as my time interning for the magazines Grim and Rue Morgue and voluntarily editing creative pieces for friends and family. This collective experience has taught me that the best feedback comes from a place of care. Therefore, when I give feedback to others, I always do so with the intention of helping them discover their true potential.

Ultimately, my goal is to transform concepts and ideas into a tangible form, whether that’s through my own creative fiction, editing an,d writing for others, or offering deeper analysis and criticism of popular media. While I consider myself a multi-genre author, I have a particular fondness for speculative fiction and how it can be utilized to explore and unpack complex subject matter. Writing fiction helps me better understand why people do the things they do; therefore, I favour characters who are complicated and may not always be the easiest to like at first glance.

As for editing: no matter what the editing process is like during a project, I always ensure that my clients’ unique voices remain clear regardless of the number of changes that may occur over its course. When we work together, expect me to be highly detail-oriented, punctual, and constantly brainstorming. I love meeting and collaborating with up-and-coming writers and small business owners, especially when we’re able to maintain a regular working relationship going forward.

In addition to creative writing and editing, I also enjoy writing media criticism and analysis. I absolutely love film and literature (especially anything that falls under the horror umbrella) and tend to look at things from intersectional, sociopolitical, and psychological perspectives. If there is ever something you’re interested in seeing me cover, don’t hesitate to send me an email or approach me on social media. I look forward to getting to know you soon!

Employment

• Research & Screenwriting Assistant to Author Tony Burgess (2022.) Duties included gathering accurate, credible information on writing material and summarizing findings to mentor; browsing books, libraries, and archives for key information; providing line editing and developmental editing for a screenplay; designing and co-writing a pitch deck for an upcoming film.
   
• Podcast Co-Host & Co-Creator, LGBTerror. (2019 - present) Duties include researching the historical context of media discussed on the show, along with behind-the-scenes information and social commentary; collaboratively writing episode scripts with co-host Tony Adkins; promoting podcast episodes on social media and forming connections with other creators, whose work is then promoted on the show; running the podcast’s Twitter, Instagram, and email, using these platforms to correspond with fans and collaborators; and conducting interviews with established figures within the horror industry such as actors, directors, set/costume designers, and makeup artists.
   
• Guest Writer, Grim Magazine (2018 - present) Duties include presenting horror and adjacent media in an academic, LGBTQ+ and/or feminist context, typically in essay format, performing necessary research for essays and appropriately cited sources, and promoting work on social media.
   
• Intern & Assistant Secretary, Rue Morgue Magazine, Toronto ON. (January 2018 - April 2018) Duties included filing systems and social media, such as Twitter; writing blog posts for the company website; using software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel to edit correspondence and documents and to maintain presentations, records, spreadsheets, and databases; organizing and storing paperwork and outgoing post; volunteering events such as Rue Morgue’s CinemaMacabre; and transcribing audio interviews.

Publications

• “Invasion of the Pod People: Interview with Nichole Goble.” Grim Magazine. September 2022. Issue 11. 47-48.
• “Zpawn: A Fanzine.” Self-published fanzine for Todd McFarlane’s Spawn. December 2021.
• “Bitter Are the Wars Between Brothers: A Retrospective on Basket Case.” Grim Magazine. June 2019. Issue 5. 32-37.
• “Movie Review: Hover.” Rue Morgue. Issue 183. July 2018.
• “Don’t Feed the Apes: Gorillaz as Horror Fiction.” 29 June 2018.
• “Waxwork Records unveils Deluxe 2020 Subscription.” News article. 11 December 2019.
• “Movie Review: Apotheosis.” 12 June 2018.
• “Movie Review: Dead By Midnight/11 PM Central.” 16 April 2018.
• “Anatomy of a Scream launches inaugural issue of Grim Magazine.” News article. 16 February 2018.

Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing & Publishing, Sheridan College (2019-2023)

This program has assisted Carling in preparing for a career in today’s publishing industry and readies her to graduate with a broad skill set, including: 

• Evaluating her own work and that of others with a view to providing and receiving peer criticism for the purposes of revision.
• Interpreting texts critically and analytically from a range of literary, cultural, and historical traditions and precedents.
• Applying knowledge and skills specific to the (self-)publishing industry, including editing and the editorial process, production, formatting, design, marketing, and supply chain management.
• Implementing the appropriate technological, applied, and creative problem-solving tools to create and publish her own works.
• Fostering and supporting a literary community by developing a presence in emergent media and across a variety of platforms.
• Articulating how socially constructed views and identities contribute to the production of diverse voices in themselves and other writers.

Media Communications Diploma, Humber College (2016-2018)

This program trained Carling in multimedia, photography, web design and writing, new media, social media, design, and videography. In the program, Carling learned how to:

• Produce corporate video and audio for the web and other applications.
• Shoot professional photographic images in both the studio and on-location environments.
• Create and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.
• Establish and operate a business through a course in freelance and project management.

Media Fundamentals Certificate, Sheridan College (2013-2014)

This program offered a foundation curriculum in film, broadcasting, journalism, and digital media. Here, Carling acquired basic skills and concepts in:

• Web and computer technology.
• Sound and camera.
• Television and film production.
• Media history.
• Communication theory.
• Visual design.
• Radio.

Additionally, Carling refined her academic skills such as research, writing, and preparing and delivering presentations.