Kelly Kaur encourages anyone who wants to write to take the first step—perhaps taking a creative writing course—and find out what brings them joy as a writer.
“It’s never too late. The time to find your ‘now’ could be NOW.”
Meet Kelly Kaur. Author. Speaker. Leader.
Hometown: Singapore
Department: English, Languages and Cultures
A member of Mount Royal University’s impressive roster of educators has been honored with inclusion in the prestigious nationwide list of Top 25 Canadian Immigrants at the 2024 Awards.
Those who have been fortunate enough to be taught by or work with Kelly Kaur already know how fitting this distinction is. For those who don’t have one of her writing courses on their schedule, Kaur is one of the secret weapons of the English department—and its students.
Kaur moved north from Singapore in 1985 to pursue her studies. She joined Mount Royal’s faculty over 30 years ago when it was still a college, and in that time has helped shape the minds of thousands upon thousands of students. She is also a prolific author and a captivating speaker.
She was recently nominated for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award along with 499 other Canadians. How did she make it from the pool of nominees, through the 75-strong shortlist, to the final list? Her impressive achievements alone were enough to catch the judges’ attention, but her students were determined to leave no room for doubt.
“Many of my students voted for me. They support my achievements and efforts,” she says. “Their votes made a difference to me and to me.”
A rising star
Head of the Department of English, Languages and Cultures Dr. Rob Boschman knows firsthand how dedicated Kaur is, having taken one of her classes himself, and says her expertise and talent shine through in every lesson.
“The students respect her,” he says. “She’s a seasoned veteran. She dominates the class.”
He says he immediately shared the news of Kaur’s latest success with her colleagues and celebrated.
“Kelly is a rising star,” he says.
“I know everyone in the department is just thrilled… she deserves it! She has written a lot, is a very talented writer, and brings her extensive, deep knowledge to the classroom.”
Shoot the moon
There is a saying that goes, “Pour on the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Kaur shot. And it turned out that she had perfect aim.
Two of her works – a poem entitled “A Singaporean’s Love Affair” and a book entitled Letters to Singapore — were selected to fly to the moon in two separate time capsule launches. Their poem landed in the Lunar Codex last February and their book is scheduled to land in the Codex’s Polaris archive next year. Few others can claim such reach.
She hopes to instill the same ambitious mentality in her students.
“It’s important for my students to see the opportunities to live their dreams and pursue their passion,” explains Kaur.
“Many of my students want to be writers. I started my writing career late myself. Maybe people will realize that they can overcome all the challenges they think can hold them back – not age, color, race or citizenship,” she says. “Anything is possible.”
She encourages anyone who wants to write to take the first step – perhaps taking a creative writing course – and finding out what brings them joy as a writer.
“I didn’t know that the first step as a writer would be my big step to literally go to the moon. I hope that my steps to finally live my passion will encourage others to just take their chance. It’s never too late. The right time to find your ‘now’ might be NOW.”
Next up, this galactic author has a children’s book in store that tells the story of someone a little closer to him. Hello, I am Singh Hari, Kaur follows the journey of another Albertan, Harnam Singh Hari, who arrived in Calgary in 1910.
“He came as a penniless immigrant and became a pig farmer and one of the richest men in Calgary. His rags to riches life story is fascinating… I love the fact that I am a Sikh author writing about a Sikh pioneer and the illustrator is also a Sikh. Sikh power!”
This is the latest addition to Red Barn Publishing’s Hello Series that introduces children to some of Canada’s western pioneers.
Kaur says she likes to write about what she knows and experiences.
“As an immigrant and BIPOC woman of color, my stories are connected by fascinating threads of patriarchal expectations, societal pressures, the traditional roles of women in the past, and the expectations of the present and future,” she explains.
“Everyone is faced with one or two or more of these expectations in life, no matter where they come from. I love the stories of people who face these challenges in different, compelling and extraordinary ways that make their stories unforgettable. Some of these people are invisible and unheard – their stories bring them to life: then they exist!”
Kaur has also published a collection of poems that has been selected for publication by the University of Calgary Press and is expected to be released in late 2025 or 2026.
Boschman says he is excited to see what else Kaur has in store – it seems like nothing can get her down.
The Department of English, Languages, and Cultures places great emphasis on the development of its students’ critical and creative writing.
