Jean-Sébastien Roy

I began writing poems on night buses between Verdun and downtown, mostly because I kept missing my stop. French was the language of home; English was the language of the city outside. Eventually the poems stopped choosing between them.

My readings are circles, not performances. I read a piece in both languages, leave the pencil marks visible, and let people interrupt. Sometimes a guest's question becomes the final line. Bring your own writing if you have it, or come empty-handed.

I bake madeleines before every reading and eat at least three before anyone arrives.