From the age of six, Branka Petrovic’s life has unfolded between languages and landscapes. Born in Former Yugoslavia and raised in Canada, she grew up attuned to the subtle shifts of accent. Immigration was not just a change of address; it was an education in the nuances of being.
Storytelling became her compass early on. Drawn to language that questions and that refuses easy answers, she completed a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy at McGill University, where she immersed herself in poetry, theory, and the architecture of thought. She continued on to Concordia University’s M.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing, deepening her exploration of voice and form.
In 2017, she was admitted to the Writing Studio at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, where she worked with Karen Solie and Ocean Vuong in a transformative period of creative focus.
Her work has been shortlisted and long-listed for major literary awards, including the CBC Poetry Prize, and has appeared in literary magazines internationally. That same year, her first book, Mechanics of a Gaze, was published by Mansfield Press.
Motherhood reshaped her creative lens. After the birth of her son, she rediscovered the magic of picture books. She completed Concordia University’s Writing for Children program, focusing on stories that speak meaningfully to young readers.
Alongside her literary practice, she has built a parallel career in communications and marketing. She is also an active member of Canada’s literary community and has served on the board of a variety of cultural and artistic organizations.
Across genres and roles (writer, author, communications strategist, mentor, mother), a single thread endures: her belief that stories have the power to change the world, one word at a time.
When she is not writing, you can find her in a downward-facing dog pose at yoga, chasing birdies on the golf course, or skiing in the Laurentians.
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Which ’hood are you in?
I recently moved to Outremont, where I enjoy writing in local coffee shops (including Dax and Dante, as well as the recently opened Kava Café, which is run by the loveliest Ukrainian family).
A strong sense of community oscillates in and around these spots, and there is a delightful diversity, which I love. We all know each other.
There is always someone you can exchange thoughts with, say hi to, or laugh with. Which is a wonderful way to break the loneliness of a writer’s life–of any life! Also, a great way to grab stories.
What do you do?
I’m a writer and storyteller, working across literature, children’s books, and communications.
I split my time between creating my own work (poetry, prose, and stories for young readers) and helping organizations tell their stories.
Balancing these roles allows me to explore different ways storytelling lives in the world: on the page, online, in communities.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently juggling a mix of creative and professional projects. On the writing side, I’m developing new work for both adult and children’s audiences (mainly picture books), revising manuscripts, and submitting pieces to literary publishers and agents.
Between all that, I’m also teaching workshops, attending writers’ conferences, editing writers’ manuscripts, and judging literary contests.
Where can we find your work?
You can find my work online. I share updates on my writing projects, new publications, literary events, and occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative process.
