Jake Byrne

May 16

My “writing space” is my notebook - it goes wherever I go, and wherever I am, that’s where I write. I’ve always found it extremely hard to work in my own home, so you can usually find me at a cafe or in a library. This photo was taken on the Via Rail train between Toronto and Montreal, which historically has been a very fruitful space for poems for me. Something about the white noise of the train helps, maybe?

What do you feel is your best piece of work?

I’m always most excited about whatever I’ve been working on most recently - for me I have never lost the joy of creation, maybe because I don’t write fiction or long-form stuff. II guess it’s a bit like when you start seeing someone new - nothing quite like that rush of endorphins. My ‘best’ or most masterful work is probably “LONG POEM II”, which will be published in DADDY in 2024, but I am more excited about the newer poems, which will probably end up in manuscripts 3 + 4.

What music have you been listening to lately?

I have had headphones attached to my ears to block out the world since I was 11 or so, which is why it’s weird to report that lately I am taking them off to listen to the ambient ‘music’ of my environment.

What’s in your fridge right now?

My partner and I both have ADHD, so it’s kind of a graveyard in there of things we forgot about. Some nice Italian salted anchovies - those don’t really go bad.

Who is the last character you related to and why?

Unfortunately, it’s the Roy siblings from Succession. While not nearly as glamorous, certain elements of that show remind me of my upbringing. And double-unfortunately, I think at my worst I’m probably a Kendall.

Have you ever failed at something you care about?

I feel like my life has been one failure into collapse into rebirth after another. I failed out of postsecondary multiple times, failed at being a chef (thank god), and failed horribly at some business ventures I started last year.

Last gift you received?

Someone gave me some salami the other day. That was nice.

Favourite photo you’ve taken?

I don’t think I can answer this question; my iCloud has 30,000 photos, and those are only since I started using it in 2017. The true favourites are probably all of my cat.

Which season is the best?

I get horrifically depressed from July to mid-September of every year, so I’ll say ‘any of them but summer’.

Least favourite household chore?

The fucking dishes.

Best outfit you’ve ever worn? Where and why?

Early-Twenties-Jake was miserable and in dire need of care and therapy, but he wore some pretty flashy outfits. I think the white suit jacket, tuxedo bowtie and black snakeskin boots I wore to a bar ‘retro night’ full of straight people wearing day glo spandex in 2009 might take the cake, although it did not help me accomplish my goal of getting laid.

Do you like to write in the morning or at night?

I’m a poet, babe! I write whenever and wherever the wind blows.

When did you first receive praise for your writing?

I guess in elementary school, although I don’t remember that.

In 2004, some friends responded positively to the ‘poems’ I put on MySpace, which were mostly collages of other peoples’ song lyrics.

But in 2007 - my final year of high school - a creative writing teacher wrote ‘you could do this professionally if you wanted to’ on a poem I wrote for an assignment. I was kind of hooked after that.

What do you consider to be your first rejection?

Honestly, the first one I remember being upset about is from the student literary journal at Concordia. That poem was garbage, but I was still offended and upset I didn’t make it in!!

Latest book you’ve read or favourite book ever?

Latest book is Hermetica, about the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus.

Anything you’d like to promote?

My debut book of poems, Celebrate Pride with Lockheed Martin, is available now from Wolsak & Wynn Press. You can find me at @jakebyrnewrites on social media - I frequently close and delete them but I’ll have that handle anywhere I go at this point.