Welcome to Esoterica


Esoterica is a magazine for those not well equipped to quiet their brain, who inhale thoughtful articles on topics that hover near the periphery of popular culture and the news agenda and ruminate on them for weeks, much to the chagrin of their lovers, partners, and co-workers.
As Leonard Cohen so poignantly wrote: “Somebody Said Lift That Veil.” Well, that someone is us. Welcome to Esoterica, the magazine that will bring your brain back to the post-pandemic world.
Leah Eichler
Big Ideas


A Love Letter to All Women (and Men)
By Rita Jane Gabbett This is a cautionary tale for all the women I love, which, as it turns out, includes all women. It might

Can an Artist be Happy? Arizona O’Neill has Some Thoughts
(Caption: ARIZONA: Do you think authors are responsible for exposing the dark side of society? HEATHER: I don’t think any subject is dark to a

Shock & Awe, Excerpt from Junkyard Girl
On November 22, Carlyn Montes De Oca appeared on Esoterica’s podcast to discuss her memoir, Junkyard Girl. In it, she relates how, at 57, she

A Love Letter to All Women (and Men)
By Rita Jane Gabbett This is a cautionary tale for all the women I love, which, as it turns out, includes all women. It might

Can an Artist be Happy? Arizona O’Neill has Some Thoughts
(Caption: ARIZONA: Do you think authors are responsible for exposing the dark side of society? HEATHER: I don’t think any subject is dark to a

Shock & Awe, Excerpt from Junkyard Girl
On November 22, Carlyn Montes De Oca appeared on Esoterica’s podcast to discuss her memoir, Junkyard Girl. In it, she relates how, at 57, she
Musings

Interviews


The Interview with Jowita Bydlowska on her novel, “Possessed”
In this week’s episode, we speak with Jowita Bydlowska on her new novel, Possessed, about a women’s love obsession. The novel was inspired in part

The Interview with Chelsea Wakelyn on “What Remains of Elsie Jane”
In this episode we meet Chelsea Wakelyn, who discusses her debut novel, What Remains of Elsie Jane, about a young mother coping with grief after

The Interview: Andrew Brobyn on his Memoir, “Babble On”
In this episode we meet Andrew Brobyn, who discusses his psycho-philosophical memoir, Babble On, where he navigates the consequences of his eccentric choices and struggles
Fiction

A little of this, a little of that. A collection of new fiction, articles and other published works that are currently touching my heart. Stories thread our lives together and unite us in the shared human experience.

Girls Unwanted: Part I
George F. Walker is one of Canada’s most prolific and popular playwrights. Since beginning his theatre career in the early 1970s, Walker has written more

Biafran Man
By Jonathan Papernick That summer, the boys of Owl Bunk called the new kid who never spoke “Polio Arms,” “Mr. Skin and Bones,” and sometimes, when

Runner’s High
By Lauren Lytle Stepping over the barricade on the mountain trail, I start my nightly run. I already start sliding on the melted snow left

Girls Unwanted: Part I
George F. Walker is one of Canada’s most prolific and popular playwrights. Since beginning his theatre career in the early 1970s, Walker has written more

Biafran Man
By Jonathan Papernick That summer, the boys of Owl Bunk called the new kid who never spoke “Polio Arms,” “Mr. Skin and Bones,” and sometimes, when

Runner’s High
By Lauren Lytle Stepping over the barricade on the mountain trail, I start my nightly run. I already start sliding on the melted snow left
The Interview

The Interview with Jowita Bydlowska on her novel, “Possessed”
In this week’s episode, we speak with Jowita Bydlowska on her new novel, Possessed, about a women’s love obsession. The novel was inspired in part

The Interview with Chelsea Wakelyn on “What Remains of Elsie Jane”
In this episode we meet Chelsea Wakelyn, who discusses her debut novel, What Remains of Elsie Jane, about a young mother coping with grief after

The Interview: Andrew Brobyn on his Memoir, “Babble On”
In this episode we meet Andrew Brobyn, who discusses his psycho-philosophical memoir, Babble On, where he navigates the consequences of his eccentric choices and struggles