About

The LAM, a new Literary Arts Magazine, is dedicated to publishing prose, poetry, and art by authors and artists in Lanark County.

The LAM accepts visual art submissions as well as fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and essays.

Editor in Chief

Elysia Rourke (she/her)

Elysia is a children’s author and stay-at-home mom. Her debut novel, Whale Fall, is slated for publication with Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books on June 16, 2026. She is the founder of the Almonte Writers Guild and lives in Almonte, Ontario with her husband, two sons, and dog. She publishes Ninetween, a free newsletter full of writing tips and middle grade reading recommendations, monthly on Substack. The rest of Elysia's writing can be found at www.elysiarourke.com.

Creative Director

Marianne Jeffery (she/her)

Marianne is a poet and short-form writer who has done a little bit of everything, from pouring coffee to teaching K-6. She is always learning and passionate about bringing community together through creativity as a Director of the Almonte Writers Guild, Founder of Almonte Grief, and Creative Director of The LAM. At present, she divides her time between Almonte and Lanark County.

Arts Editor

Vanessa Uschy Coplan (she/her)

Vanessa is a visual artist specializing in mixed media drawing, painting, and textiles. She is currently working on 3D textile canoes, mixed media drawings, and paintings that reference personal and collective histories. In addition to having an active studio practice, she teaches at the Ottawa School of Art and in her home studio. She is currently preparing her canoes for open submissions to the World of Threads festival in 2026. Her portfolio can be found at www.vanessauschy.ca.

Arts Editor

Emily Pettigrew (she/her)

Emily hails from Lanark County, where her work at the Middleville Museum and studies in Canterbury High School’s visual arts program ignited her passion for history, community engagement, and art. Now based in Almonte, she is pursuing a B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Biology (Combined Honours) at Carleton University. Emily balances her scientific studies with creative pursuits, including fine embroidery and writing.

Business Guru / Advisor

Tracy Martineau (she/her)

Tracy is an entrepreneur who once played a key role in bringing the country internet access back in the dial-up days. Over four decades of business, marketing, and writing experience led her to undertake and complete a Psychology (Honours) degree at Athabasca U, just so she could understand people better (aka what is wrong with these people?!). She lives in Almonte among family and friends.