Wild Roof Podcast

#38 - Wild Roof Podcast: Ophelia Monet, Editor of Wildscape

In the April episode, Editor of Wildscape Literary Journal joins host Aaron Lelito to talk about her start as a writer, the development of Wildscape, and the adrenaline rush of storm chasing.

Ophelia closes the episode with a reading of her poem, "Yes/No."

See more about Wildscape here and more about Ophelia on Instagram.

#37 - Wild Roof Podcast: Jacob Riyeff, author of Be Radiant

In the March episode, Jacob Riyeff joins host Aaron Lelito to talk about his poetry collection, Be Radiant, which is available now from Fernwood Press.

We chat about Jacob's writing background, from beat poet beginnings of reading Ginsberg and Kerouac to the fascination with the natural world (i.e. knowing the difference among marshes, bogs, and swamps). Along the way, Jacob shares his love of Old English poetry, and how it matters to us as English speakers in 2025. He tells us why is collection is subtitled "A Sonata Pome," and closes the episode with a reading of two pieces, "On the Year's First Compost" and "Shallow Ocean, ca. 460-420 million years ago."

See more about Be Radiant here and more about Jacob at his website.

#36 - Wild Roof Podcast: Amy Dupcak of Cagibi Literary Journal

In the February episode, Amy Dupcak joins host Aaron Lelito to talk about her role as Editor in Chief of Cagibi Literary Journal.

We chat about Amy's writing background, from the moody poetry of adolescence to the publication of her short story collection dust, as well as some practical advice for submitting your work. Along the way, we discover our mutual appreciation for the novels of Vladimir Nabokov, including the book-nerd intricacies of Pale Fire.

See more about Cagibi here and more about Amy at her website.

#35 - Wild Roof Podcast: September Herrin of Weird Lit Mag

In the January episode, September Herrin joins host Aaron Lelito to talk about her role as Editor in Chief of Weird Lit Mag.

We chat about September's time in a Seattle goth punk band, the connections of music & writing, as well as the origin story of the new online publication Weird Lit Mag. And cryptids too! We cover September's fascination with Sasquatch and other mysterious beings.

If you like offbeat lit mags, absurdist fiction, and a healthy dose of DIY ethos, you'll want to listen up!

See more about Weird Lit Mag here and more about September at her website.

#34 - Wild Roof Roundtable: Wendy Wallace of Peatsmoke Journal

In the November episode, editor and writing professor Wendy E. Wallace joins host Aaron Lelito to talk about Peatsmoke Journal.

We chat about the origin story of Peatsmoke, what sets it apart from other online lit mags, what they look for during the review process, along with some general submission advice. Wendy grew up in Buffalo, NY, so it was great to talk a bit about the WNY region — the friendly people, beautiful summers, and over-the-top Halloween decorations!

If you like good writing, visually appealing lit mags, and a wee dram of peaty Laphroaig, you'll want to listen up!

See more about Wendy at her website.

#33 - Wild Roof Roundtable: Dawn Leas and John Tessitore

In the March episode, authors Dawn Leas and John Tessitore join host Aaron Lelito to read some poems and talk about how they were made. If you like getting a behind-the-scenes view of the creative process, listen up!

We also chat about the question, “What keeps you going as a writer?” and how we choose to include personal life in our writing. Lastly, we offer a few practical writing suggestions (because, after all, we’re here to help!).

See more about Dawn at her website. John’s poetry collections are available here.

#32 - Wild Roof Discussion with Kelly Gray

In the January episode, writer and previous WRJ contributor Kelly Gray joins host Aaron Lelito to chat about her new poetry chapbook called The Mating Calls of a Specter, out now from Tusculum Review.

Kelly writes about what she knows or is trying to know: parenting, systemic violence, dead things, monsters, prophetic animals, relationships to self and others, and rural life. In our conversation, we cover some of Kelly's early writing experiences and how they impacted her, the writing process for her new chapbook, and the question of how to respond to creative blocks. Kelly finishes with a reading of her poem "Parade Day."

See more about Kelly's work at her website.

#31 - Wild Roof Discussion with Amber Herzog Lyman

In the November episode, poet, film writer, and adventurer Amber Herzog Lyman joins hosts Aaron Lelito and Nicole Bethune Winters to chat about her creative process and her connection to nature, as well as her new poetry/music album called Listen Deep.

Amber also shares a poem from the album called “Our Mother.” If you like poetry, music, and cetaceans (a classic trio), I recommend that you listen in, listen up, and listen deep!

See more about Amber’s work at her website and on Instagram @wildwondernature.

#30 - Wild Roof Roundtable: Marybeth Holleman and Eric Williamson

In the September episode, authors Marybeth Holleman and Eric Williamson join host Aaron Lelito to read some poems and talk about how they were made. If you like getting a behind the scenes view of the creative process, listen up!

We also chat about the “nuts-and-bolts” of putting together a poetry collection, as well as a pretty hefty reading recommendations list.

See more about Marybeth’s book Tender Gravity at her website. Eric’s chapbook This Is Our Secret is available to order here.

#29 - Wild Roof Roundtable: Morgan Stephens and Eben Bein

In the August episode, WRJ contributors Morgan Stephens and Eben Bein join hosts Aaron Lelito and Chris Vogt for a writer-centric conversation.

Here, both guests offer a poem from their collections. Eben reads "What I Meant to Ask" (published in WRJ's Issue 13), and Morgan reads "Better this way" (published in Issue 21).

We get some wonderful behind-the-scenes insights about these poems as well. It's always fascinating to peel back the layers and see some of the experiences that inspired the poems we love. Eben and Morgan certainly don't disappoint in that area!

See more about Morgan at her website. Eben's chapbook is available to order here!