Who am I?

CJ Bowers is a writer and multidisciplinary artist based in northern Alberta, Canada. His work is rooted in a strong sense of place, often drawing from the landscapes, people, and lived experiences of Fort McMurray, where he resides.

He launched The CJBuzz in 2015, a platform that began as a reflection on local life and has since grown into a diverse collection of creative work. The site features fiction, personal essays, arts commentary, and explorations of everyday subjects that resist neat categorization. CJ has published over 300 pieces through the platform, building a body of work that reflects both consistency and range.

His writing has appeared in NorthWord: A Literary Journal of Canada’s North. He was named one of Your McMurray Magazine’s Top 50 Under 50 in 2025 and has received multiple local nominations, including the Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Award for Literary Arts in 2019 and 2020, as well as Best Local Writer in the 2025 Best of YMM Readers’ Choice Awards.

In addition to his creative work, CJ is actively involved with the Fort McMurray SPCA. His contributions include animal care, adoption support, staff development, and advocacy. He is a committed voice for animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the reconsideration of breed-specific legislation.

CJ continues to live and work in Fort McMurray, where his writing remains closely tied to the character and complexity of northern life.