finding the words for things.

I’m Jess Janz, a tender-hearted artist and writer. I’ve also been called a poet, facilitator, meandering storyteller, host, and gatherer of humans.

You might like to know that I started off this creative life as a band member of Fitness Club Fiasco, self-published a poetry collection, ‘Words For the Living,’ in 2018, hosted 9 month-long writing workshops, wrote over 100 poetry commissions, and co-founded a monthly dinner series for strangers (which means I’ve hosted over 200 strangers for a meal and guided conversation).

Through my work, I seek to get straight to the heart of humanity, which just so happens to be my favourite place to dwell. 

Whether you attend an upcoming event, hire me for a poetry commission, or simply follow along, I hope you’ll feel held by the space I’ve created and together we can find new ways to pursue a creative life.

i’m currently…

Shopping around a book proposal about the communal ache that binds us all together. Want to see it? Let’s connect.

I’m also exploring all the ways to help us gather and connect with one another through:
- Dinner With Strangers
- Poetry Club
- In Good Company: a drop-in writing workshop
- Partnering with people and brands I love to bring my creativity to your communities.

I’m continually finding creative inspiration in the world around us and sharing those pieces on Instagram. I’m also likely with a coffee in hand, trying to bypass small talk and get to the good stuff.

find me here.

My writing can be found on my Substack, as well as in June 2022’s edition of Simplify Magazine, Free Verse Revolution, In Parentheses, and Thought Catalog (x2). I’ve also been a guest on Bonnie Weeks’ podcast YogaStrong, Rachel Freemon Sowers Live, the Spoke Podcast with Jonny McCormick, The Better Questions with Claire Giovino, This Juicy Life, and What Matters Most.

 

jess by the numbers.

Words are where I dwell, but for some, credibility is in the stats. Here are some of mine:

  • 4,172 km between where I was born (Langley, BC) and where I currently call home (Toronto, ON)

  • Two years toward a Creative Writing degree at York University

  • 150+ Dinner With Strangers diners noshing on food and deep connection

  • Six years in a band plus one near competition win (CBC Radio’s Searchlight)

  • 107 commissions written and counting

  • 9 sold out writing workshops hosted

  • Over 57,000 Instagram followers

  • 300+ poems shared with the world

  • A burgeoning Substack community with over 1500 subscribers

  • 33 years spent creating a life that is anything but ordinary

[All banner photos are by my dear friend Stephanie Ironside from Iron & Bragg Photography].