Life of JEM

Stephanie Barbé Hammer reads from her latest book, "The Warbler School Chronicles". In this unforgettable flash fiction series of eleven stories, the narrator attends an elite private girls’ school in New York City during the sixties making magical and memorable encounters. Go get her book available on Bamboo Dart Press (and where all books are sold). Dropping March 9th but listen in for a sneak sassy peek!!

JEM interviews Writer, Poet and Painter Lavina Blossom about her new book of poetry just published by Bamboo Dart Press titled "Here to be Remade". They talk about her process of creating this collection of poems by using books of poems taken from her bookshelf. They also talk about Lavina's paintings that are interspersed among the poems and the intersection between painting and poetry. It is an inspirational and enlightening conversation, so listen in and go get this book available everywhere (and on the bamboo dart website)! 

Tune in as JEM interviews Lucrecia Guerrero, author of numerous books including her most recent, an engrossing fiction, character driven book set in Ohio with a Latina protagonist. The book is "On The Mad River" published by Mouthfeel Press and it is a fantastic and thrilling read! They have an engrossing conversation on writing time specific fiction set in a geographically unique place and Lucrecia gives tips on how to write compelling characters and they talk about the challenges of writing and how to get your book to publication through perspiration and perseverance! So tune in! And go get her book!! Available everywhere books are sold!

JEM interviews one of her favorite writers, the acclaimed, prize winning author Toni Ann Johnson. JEM talks with Toni Ann about Toni Ann's most recent book, a brilliant and beautiful linked story collection titled But Where’s Home?, which was just published by Screen Door Press.
They have a fascinating, in-depth conversation on the line between memoir and auto fiction, and discuss the process of writing about familial characters and the ways in which this latest book is a reconciliation. 
Tune in and please go get Toni Ann Johnson's book which is available nationwide!  
 
This is a must listen episode which will inspire you both as a writer and a reader. 

JEM & Stevo Lution (aka Steve Lossing) have a chat of epic proportions about Stevo's latest book, a collaboration with the late great poet Johnny Bender, aka Brutus Chieftain, titled "The Gospel According to Bombastus" (Bamboo Dart Press, 2025). They chat about the book's genesis, about punk life in the 1980s, about sequencing and Bowie, about Poets in Distress & the venue called Pondwater. Listen in and find out how Stevo's political art sticker ended up on Jane Wiedlin's guitar! One of JEM's favorite conversations to date! Listen in and get The Gospel According to Bombastus now!! 
 

JEM interviews Suzanne Weerts, author of the just released "Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family, a memoir in stories". They talk about blue collar life growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, writing in young adult voice, memorializing the nostalgia inherent in childhood and how performance and narrative storytelling played a role in Suzanne's process of writing this memoir. A must listen to conversation on theme and craft that will both educate and inspire! Listen in and get Suzanne's book! Available via all retailers!!!

JEM reads her story that was just published in the Inlandia journal. It's a Christmas themed piece inspired by bell hooks. Find the Inlandia journal here:
https://inlandiajournal.net/fall-2025-vol-16-juanita-e-mantz-jem/

JEM is gifting you a special story episode for her favorite holiday, Halloween! This story is on her blogspot (see http://wwwlifeofjemcom-jemmantz.blogspot.com/?m=1) and details her  interaction with a mime! It's called "The Mime & Me". Enjoy! 

Listen in to JEM highlight "Not Your Papi's Utopia: Latinx Visions of Radical Hope", an anthology recently released by Mouthfeel Press. She interviews editor Sara Rivera, and then three amazing writers from the anthology read an excerpt aloud, Lesley Téllez, Joy Castro & Rolando Lopez. Then, they all chat about the readings. A must listen to conversation about a book you must read. It's an anthology for the times! Listen in and get this book! 

JEM reads her most recently published story aloud, a story appearing in the upcoming Flowersong Press anthology "The White Picket Fence: Stories of Individuality as Rebelliousness" (curated & edited by Gina Duran). JEM's story is an intimate true tale titled "Wonder Twins Reactivated: a search for connection" & about her relationship with her twin sister.  Listen in.