About

The Story

Katie MacLean (she/her) is a Canadian writer and public speaker. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, she presently lives in the Gulf Islands, BC where she writes poetry and fiction. Katie is proudly lesbian and unilaterally deaf.

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Prior to writing, she dedicated her work to a number of local not-for-profit organizations and Students' Unions. There, she specialized in designing and facilitating youth leadership workshops and programs. 

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Education

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Bachelor of Arts

Majoring in Political Science, Minoring in Anthropology, University of Alberta

Certificate in Event Management

With dual specializations in Program Planning and Operations, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

Places of Residence
(In order from longest to shortest tenancy)

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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce your name?

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Thank you for asking! My name is Katie MacLean, pronounced like Kay-tee Mack-Lane. 

(No, Katie isn't short for anything. Yes, the capital "L" in MacLean is important. If you're writing my name in all capitals, please write it as KATIE MacLEAN).

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What do you mean when you say you are disabled or unilaterally deaf?

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I am unilaterally deaf, sometimes also called Single-Sided Deafness (SSD), meaning I am profoundly deaf in my right ear and mildly hard-of-hearing in my left. I use a hearing aid to help me participate fully in hearing environments, though what I can hear varies greatly depending on the situation. As a result, you may see me able to speak and listen perfectly well in an interview but need a translator during Q&A sessions at conferences. Typically, I use the words deaf and hard-of-hearing interchangeably in colloquial settings because it’s easier than explaining all that. 
 

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