Friday Five: Q&A with Natalie Welsh, editor of Syncopation Literary Journal

‘If we listen to each other’s stories—whether told through music, poetry or prose—we may realize that there is so much that connects humanity.’

Those who know me well know I have a deep affection for music. Many other writers share this interest. Natalie Welsh is one of them. She loves music and writing so much that she created a literary magazine that celebrates the fusion of music and storytelling called Syncopation Literary Journal.

Cover of the inaugural issue of Syncopation Literary Journal.

With a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and a Master of Arts in humanities from York University, Natalie brings a rich academic background to her editorial work. She’s also a multi-talented artist. Both writer and musician, she is proficient on piano and guitar, and has had her short fiction published in New Sociology: Journal of Critical Praxis, Indelible Literary Journal, and Duck Duck Mongoose Magazine. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Natalie launched Syncopation in 2021 as a platform for musicians and writers to explore the rhythmic interplay between sound and narrative. The first issue went live in January 2022. I was thrilled Natalie saw fit to include my essay “Not Fade Away” in volume 4, issue 1 of her journal, and I’m happy that a couple more pieces I wrote will appear in volume 4, issue 2, later this year.

In this Friday Five, on the final Friday of Women’s History Month, I’m happy to introduce readers to Natalie and her labor of love.

Continue reading “Friday Five: Q&A with Natalie Welsh, editor of Syncopation Literary Journal”

Friday Five: Q&A with ‘Freezing Reign’ author L.A. Goff

‘Your first book will be less than perfect. Write it anyway.’

L.A. Goff photo
L.A. Goff, author of ‘Freezing Reign’

Continuing this blog’s highlight of women writers during Women’s History Month, today’s Friday Five Q&A is with L.A. Goff, author of the dystopian thriller Freezing Reign and another writer from my area. Freezing Reign is Goff’s debut novel and the first in a series. A self-described “reformed journalist who discovered it’s more fun to create new worlds than report on this one,” Goff has extensive experience in non-fiction as well.

Continue reading “Friday Five: Q&A with ‘Freezing Reign’ author L.A. Goff”