Highlighting the best independent publications in fiction and non-fiction. Your new favorite author is right here.

Joanne Van Leerdam

Joanne Van Leerdam is a poet, blogger, writer, thinker, puzzler, teacher, traveller, photographer and generally nice person. Despite having lived all her life in Australia, she has, thus far, avoided being killed or consumed by any of the deadly wildlife or natural disasters, which is probably a good thing.
Other than Australia, Canada is her favourite place in the world.

In addition to writing powerful, thought-provoking poetry and short-but-incredibly meaningful stories, she teaches senior high school English, History and Drama/Production. She is an active member and performer in her local theatre company.

Her poetry is contemporary, sensual, moody and easy to read – and it will get you in the feelings.

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Nova (Poetry)

These poems explore what it is to be human: to love, to celebrate, to grieve, to feel pain, and to overcome, through powerful images of fallenness, hope and redemption.

“Moody and melancholy.
Sometimes sensual.
Sometimes happy and contented.
Always honest and thought-provoking.”

Deep and profound lyrical poems that are refreshingly honest in their portrayal of life, love, grief, pain, survival and celebration.”

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Leaf (Poetry)

Poems that explore the poet’s humanity, experiences, and observations about life in a way that will challenge the reader to see things from a new perspective.

“Many half-forgotten experiences and the emotions associated with them were brought back to me, some like a punch in the heart. The first flutterings of love, the heavy stomach pit of romantic insecurity, the weird ragey, numb, lost, screamy feeling when you lose someone dear to you.
Leaf has reminded me how we’re all human, we all feel, we all have demons to deal with.” – Reviewer

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New Horizons (Short Stories)

A change of scenery. A new direction. A break in the weather.
Who hasn’t hoped for something different at some point in their life?

These sixteen short stories offer insights into how people respond when they encounter experiences and events they have not foreseen, or when they discover new horizons in their lives.

“Speculative fiction at its finest!” – Reviewer

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