This is us.

 
All of us in our Zoom squares, making peace signs and grinning. We are a diverse crew of ten people who identify as women and non-binary.

All of us in our Zoom squares, making peace signs and grinning. We are a diverse crew of ten people in our 30’s through 50’s, who identify as women and gender non-binary.

 

Hi. 👋 We’re glad you found us.

We are a small crew of word-loving creatives in Southern Ontario, passionate about community and writing.

Writing can be complicated, overwhelming and scary. It can also be joyful and liberating and hilarious. We’re here for all of it.

We’re all writers ourselves, which means that that we love to write, long to write, and struggle to write. We support each other along the way because we know that everything is easier when we are supported and seen.

We talk a lot about accessibility, safety, and how to keep rooting our work in decolonial practices. We put a lot of time and care into our relationships with each other. We celebrate mistakes. We love to laugh. We are a constant work in progress.

Wanna cozy up?

Why “Firefly”?

It was late one night at one of the first writing retreats I’ve run. (Chris here!) A few participants were sitting in the living room, sipping wine and hot chocolate, brainstorming business names for me.

I liked the nature-based ones — milkweed, redbird, acorn — but I wanted a reason. Finally we all got tired and I made my way into the field out front, where I was sleeping in a little cabin.

I didn’t know what I was seeing at first, it was so bright and chaotic, but the field was teeming with fireflies.

“Firefly?” Nope. Too cute. I dismissed it right away.

But when I got home, I started to research, and I found out that fireflies often live for years underground before they come out and fly. I felt a bolt of recognition. I know that long sleep. I see it all the time in the people who come to us. And, I know that feeling of finally being ready to light up at last.

Here we are, 18 years later, happily glowing. A field where you can find your light and dance with others. A community where you can make new things, and try on new voices. A place to wake up from your long creative slumber.

Welcome. We’re glad you found us.

~ Chris, Lesley, Kim, Asifa, Britt, Ailsa, Mari, Heather and Sophia