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Shane Koyczan

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Shane Koyczan

Aliases: Shane L. Koyczan

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1976-05-22 （Yellowknife）
Nationality
Canadian
Languages
English
Religion
Atheism
Residence History
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories → Penticton, British Columbia → Vancouver, British Columbia

Career

Occupations
spoken word poet, writer
Active Years
2000-2025
Affiliations
Tons of Fun University, The Short Story Long

Awards

National Poetry Slam Individual Championship
2000
Category: Individual
Organization: National Poetry Slam
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Visiting Hours

2005 Poetry collection

Poetry collection selected for best books of 2005 by Guardian and Globe and Mail.

bullyingdeath

the Stickboy

2008 Novel in verse

Novel in verse.

bullying

To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful

2014 Poetry collection

Poetry book based on anti-bullying poem with over 25 million YouTube views.

bullying
Adaptations
  • [Animated video] To This Day Project (2013)

Bibliography

  • I'm Calling You a Friend
  • Help Wanted
  • I Drew That For You
  • Visiting Hours
  • the Stickboy
  • Our Deathbeds will be Thirsty
  • To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful
  • A Bruise on Light
  • The Basement In My Attic

Style & Themes

Literary Style
spoken wordslam poetrystorytelling
Recurring Motifs
bullyingcancerdeatheating disorders

Legacy

Canadian spoken word poet known for addressing bullying, cancer, death, and eating disorders. Famous for 'To This Day' poem with millions of views, performed at 2010 Vancouver Olympics opening, TED talk.

In Popular Culture

  • Performed 'We Are More' at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics opening ceremony
  • Presented 'To This Day' at TED conference

Trivia

  • First Canadian to win National Poetry Slam Individual Championship (2000)
  • 'To This Day' video has over 25 million views on YouTube
  • Described himself as an 'okay atheist'