Writing & Community — Conversations with Romaine Jones and Lori Sebastianutti

by Kim Davids Mandar

Romaine Jones and Lori Sebastianutti are this episode’s Bookish Radio guests. Both authors talk about their writing practice, building community, and personal transformation. Lori shares particular insight into the world of infertility, and aspects of the journey of our neighbours, family, and friends who face this challenging road to parenthood.

First, Romaine Jones, Inkwellian Author, reads a poem that transformed a relationship. Romaine  reflects openly on her work in the supportive artistic community of Inkwell Workshops. Her writing can be found in The Double World, and in soon-to-be-launched The Unexpected Sky.

Lori Sebastianutti, Managing Editor for the blog at Fertility Matters Canada and columnist at SavvyMom, shares her passion for and then abandonment of a regular writing practice. Lori’s return to the craft was prompted by reading about the profound experience of fellow writers’ journeys through infertility, among other published works. Now both a mother and an advocate for those experiencing the challenges that accompany infertility, Lori is published regularly and, with renewed energy, has dedicated herself to literary pursuits. The community building reality of Lori’s experience has been a big part of the process. Notably, Lori thanks Eufemia Fantetti, one of our instructors at The University of Guelph, Nicole Breit, and Rachel Thompson. (I also wanted to note that Chelene Knight has an online course that is now available!)

Here are a few upcoming submission opportunities that might be of interest to you:

• CANSCAIP writing for children competition
• Little Bird short story contest
• Eden Mills Writers’ Festival: Fringe Contest; Poetry Contest for Teens; Poetry Contest for Children; Literary Contest
• The Writer’s Way — weekend workshop with Melinda Burns

We welcome your feedback and sharing of upcoming local literary events — email us at bookishradiohost@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!