Rediscovered in the late 1980s and early 1990s after decades of censorship and erasure, Anna Akhmatova is now considered to be one of Russia's most gifted poets of the 20th century. Living through the Bolshevik Revolution and the Stalinist Terror, Akhmatova never allowed her work to be tarnished by Soviet propaganda. The resulting poetry combines bitter regret at what her country has become with a fierce love of that country, birthing a wholly unique perspective on patriotism and national duty - which is still practically dismissed by the Western literary world. * Official Canon Fire Website: http://www.canonfirepodcast.com/ Banner designed by Brittany Baril. Theme song by Alan Hardison, mastered by Nick Cameron.

By commandeering accepted poetic form and rhetoric, Phillis Wheatley countered every expectation of what it was to be an enslaved black woman in 18th century North America. She embodied the strength, wit, and cunning of all those oppressed individuals who manage to fight their way to prominence despite all odds, and laid the groundwork for an articulate, passionate form of activism that continues to this day. * Official Canon Fire Website: http://www.canonfirepodcast.com/ Banner designed by Brittany Baril. Theme song by Alan Hardison, mastered by Nick Cameron. * Content warnings: rape mention

Hosts Zoe, Kaitlin, and Gee welcome you to “Canon“ Fire, a podcast dedicated to the stories, creations, and histories of literary figures too red-hot for the classic literary canon. In our intro episode, we introduce ourselves, talk about our goals for ourselves and the podcast, and welcome all y’all fine listeners to our informative absurdity.

Our banner and logo were designed by the incomparable Brittany Baril.

Our theme song was composed, written, and performed by Alan Hardison.