I am anchored through the idea of “open” to guide my process as I’m looking at submissions. How does language require opening? How do we give up all assumptions? How do we dig out definitions?
Hope Lauterbach
Reading Practice: A Conversation with Furqan Mohamed
I am, I think like any sane person, a Dionne Brand fan. I adore her word choices. I think that every time she speaks I learn something new[…]She’s so generous with her words and I feel that every time I put my pen down to paper or start writing on my keyboard, that I have to be as generous as she is.
Reading Practice: Junie Desil
Poet Junie Désil shares her infectious love of books, and not-so-guilty reading pleasures. [This interview was conducted via email.] ROOM: What books did you read as a kid? JD: Oh wow, I mean I read and devoured everything. Often in secret. At home when I was bored my...
Reading Practice: Farzana Doctor
This month saw the release of Farzana Doctor’s fourth novel titled Seven (Dundurn Press). Seven is a fictional story inspired by real events and the community and culture of the Dawoodi Bohras, a sect within Shia Islam. This interview explores what truths are revealed through fiction and Doctor shared several books that have inspired her.
Reading Practice: Cicely Belle Blain and Terese Mason Pierre
In this month’s double-feature of “Reading Practice,” I spoke with two poets, Cicely Belle Blain and Terese Mason Pierre, on fantasy, self-exploration, and early reading experiences that had left an impact. I also took the opportunity to ask them about their current...
Interview with Canisia Lubrin, Room’s Poetry Contest Judge 2020
In celebration of our 2020 poetry contest, Room editorial board member, Hope Lauterbach, had the opportunity to ask Lubrin a few questions about her book-length poem, The Dyzgraphxst, writing craft, and what she looks for in a poem. Our 2020 Poetry Contest judge,...