On this episode of Salt Lake Dirt, I had the pleasure of talking with writer Jennifer Ostopovich. Based in Calgary, Canada, Jennifer shares her fascinating path from being an obsessive childhood reader to becoming a "pandemic writer". Despite being what she calls a "lousy student" who struggled with the sensory overload of traditional classrooms, she was reading adult novels by Stephen King and Clive Barker as early as second grade. Growing up in a rural trailer park without cable or a telephone, books became her primary window into the world, offering a connection to characters that television simply couldn't match.

Our conversation touches on Jennifer's transition from writing a spy thriller during the lockdowns to finding her voice in the literary community online. She discusses her affinity for transgressive literature and her commitment to writing about uncomfortable topics like poverty and abuse—subjects often overlooked in more academic circles. We also talk about her short story "Guts," which explores the raw emotional landscape of childhood, and her unique piece "Albatross," which uses a parrot to sketch out the complexities of heartache and hope.

Jennifer is also an editor for Hobart and runs an active book club on Twitter/X, where she continues to champion indie and transgressive authors. She is currently putting the finishing touches on a short story collection and has a novel ready for the right publisher. You can follow her work on Substack or connect with her on Twitter/X at @jrostopovich to join her upcoming book club discussions. Episode Links:

• Jennifer's website
• Substack
• X: @jrostopovich

For more interviews visit Salt Lake Dirt.