Litromaniac: A person who’s absolutely obsessed with reading, analyzing, and discussing literature—whether it’s short fiction, poetry, essays, classic novels, or obscure indie fiction. They’re the friend who always has a book in hand and a hot take on every literary trope.
“I tried talking to Sarah about movies, but she turned it into a breakdown of Dostoevsky. Total litromaniac.”
Have you ever read a short story or poem and felt like you just missed the point? We get it. For those of us who crave a deeper connection with literature, finding meaningful, relatable analysis can feel almost impossible. We’re not looking for dry academic takes; we want to hear about the emotions, the connections, the moments that stick with you. We’re here as fellow avid readers who live for energetic discussions and can’t resist a great story. Through our conversations, we hope to uncover insights worth sharing with you, our fellow readers. Ultimately, we don’t offer answers from on high—we don’t profess to be professors; we’re simply unapologetic litromaniacs with a passion for reading and discussing the best that literature has to offer.
Meet Colin
“Literature is ultimately there to give pleasure. Read intelligently, it is one of the very highest pleasures life has to offer.”
John Sutherland
Colin lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He loves reading and discussing short fiction, novels, and philosophy. His favorite writers include Nicolai Gogol, Jorge Luis Borges, Thomas de Quincey, Edgar Allan Poe, Franz Kafka, Joseph Conrad, Charles Bukowski, Vladimir Nabokov, Flannery O’Connor, Haruki Murakami, David Sedaris, and George Saunders. You can read Colin’s interpretive essays about the stories we discuss here. Colin also enjoys writing his own stories; you can read one of them, “The Garbanzo Gangster,” in the Jersey Devil Press.
Contact Colin: colin@litfiction.com
Meet Jennifer
“Books are the mirrors of the soul.”
Virginia Woolf
Jennifer is a lover of words, a believer in serendipitous connections and an avid seeker of meaning. Her love affair with language began early and continues to this day whether is it devouring Virginia Woolf’s prose or soaking in George Saunders’ poignant vignettes, she revels in the magic of storytelling. Jennifer pursues a wide range of personal and professional passions from TEDx host, podcaster, conversational catalyst and meeting facilitator. Jennifer practices “supreme noticing,” a term borrowed from Mary Oliver. In paying attention with reverence—to sun dappled leaves, to whispered secrets, to the rhythm of a heartbeat she finds the sublime in the ordinary, the profound in the everyday.
Contact Jennifer: jennifer@litfiction.com
Meet Joey
“If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.”
Audre Lorde
Joey is a multifaceted individual whose passions converge at the intersection of literature, design, and history. With a degree in English literature, he possesses a profound appreciation for the written word, spending countless hours immersed in books across various genres. Combining his literary prowess with a knack for visual storytelling, Joey found his niche as a graphic designer, leveraging his background in marketing to create compelling narratives through design. His fascination with Medieval and Classical history fuels his creative endeavors, drawing inspiration from the past to infuse depth and authenticity into his work. An ardent admirer of renowned historian Mary Beard, Joey aspires to emulate her scholarly rigor and commitment to bringing history to life for contemporary audiences.