Neil Smith (writer)

Neil Smith is a Canadian writer known for his short stories and novels, often exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and familial relationships with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ characters.

Smith gained significant recognition for his debut short story collection, Bang and Whimper, published in 2008. This collection won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and was nominated for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. The stories within Bang and Whimper are notable for their darkly humorous and empathetic portrayals of diverse individuals navigating complex life circumstances.

His debut novel, Boo, published in 2015, further solidified his reputation. Boo is a young adult novel centered on a thirteen-year-old gay boy who dies and finds himself in a unique afterlife inhabited by other teenagers who died prematurely. The novel received critical acclaim for its sensitive handling of grief, identity, and the search for belonging. It was a Lambda Literary Award finalist and won the Quebec Writers' Federation Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.

Smith has also contributed to various literary journals and anthologies. His writing style is characterized by its sharp wit, emotional depth, and ability to create compelling and relatable characters.