Author Jenna Mann
Non-Fiction Writing Portfolio
Smudges&Stains Substack
A little blog with a winding voice; broadening my education through procrastination.
On procrastination and sleepwalking
Sleepwalking. It’s not exactly a form of procrastination, although I’m sure unrest contributes. What should I use as boundaries for describing procrastination, anyway?
What’s the chance that researching sleepwalking—how can I prevent using my partner as a tug-of-war rope in the middle of the night qualifies as one of extracurricular activity, anxiety food, or procrastination? I’m not likely to find anything new on the subject and the uptick in instances is likely due to another attempt at aligning my schedule with the rest of the world. There’s not much research on sleepwalking. I understand why it would be hard to study.
On starting a blog and curing my own bacon
How do you get started with a writing blog? A newsletter? Is it a free-write, or should I make a list of topics on the Notes app in my iPhone, leave a little space for musings to occupy the back of my mind? If I think about it too much, I’ll never get to it. The first iterations of my novel started stewing twenty years ago, an ever-expanding timeline that will, presumably, continue to stretch if I introduce any more competition (but I do have a completed draft).
Or maybe not. It could serve as some system of accountability. I’ll just talk about and rate my various methods of procrastination. That’s a place to start (and at least I’ll be writing).
Updates
Querying and Publication
Jenna's debut novel, Familiar Places, is currently paused for querying, as it undergoes a fresh round of editing. In the coming months Jenna will resume seeking representation to bring Familiar Place to market. Stay tuned for updates.
Freelance
Nineteen Questions
Thomas Fucaloro is an author slam poet, editor and Creative Writing instructor out of Staten Island, New York. Fucaloro is a Creative Writing MFA holder from New School and is the author of two books of poetry published by Three Rooms Press.
A Toast to Robert Bateman! The Best of Canadian Art on McIntosh Mugs
Known for a lifetime of observing, painting, and championing the natural world, Bateman’s work is defined by unparalleled realism. Every feather, blade of grass, and glint of light shimmering across the water is rendered with the patience and precision of a naturalist who loves his subjects.
His advocacy and work in conservation have engaged this love. Fans of Bateman can explore The Bateman Legacy Network for an expansive list of the projects and collaborations connected to the artist, alongside his archives of paintings preserving snapshots of the natural world as only Robert Bateman can.
Farmers of North America 2007-2025
Our History
Farmers of North America was first established by a 6th generation Saskatchewan farm, in 1998, with the sole mission of “Maximizing Farm Profitability.”
Since then, FNA has been central in breaking monopoly pricing on glyphosate, driving competition in the entire crop protection industry and most recently the effort to build a fertilizer plant with farmers as owners.
FNA has over 10,000 members across Canada working over 20 million acres of land.
Supplier Programs
Farmers do not “join” FNA like one would join an association or a club. Instead we employ FNA as part of the Management Team of our farms.
Every day FNA Managers are working to find new opportunities to maximize our farm profitability. Whether it is negotiating with new suppliers or causing entire new businesses to be created, the commitment is proven, and it is successful. That is our Membership at work for us and our farms.
Mental Wellness During COVID-19
Aidan Tait and Jenna Mann
In a time of unprecedented economic and social disruption due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the stress imposed on agricultural workers is often overlooked. Economic hardships and financial uncertainty, isolation as a result of self-quarantining and social distancing—all of these issues impact the wellbeing of agricultural workers and their families.
The Sheaf 2011-2015
Yann Martel talks adapting literature for the big screen
The Sheaf sat down with Yann Martel to discuss his take on the big screen adaptation of The Life of Pi.
In 2001, when Life of Pi was little more than blurb on Canadian author Yann Martel’s agent’s catalogue, Hollywood was already expressing interest in buying the movie rights.
Now, after the immense success of the novel, Life of Pi is premiering on the big screen.
The movie, directed by Ang Lee, best known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain, made its debut Nov. 21 in theatres across North America.
The streets, the tracks, the growth of a community
Graffiti is a transient form of art. It can be painted over. It can be washed away.
But for a crew of Saskatoon artists, graffiti is a way to immortalize their recently lost friend.
Spencer Robinson, known by his tag ACME, passed away on Sept. 3 in an accident on the train tracks where he was often found seeking inspiration for his art.
“His passing came maybe 60 years too early but nonetheless he was in a place that was comfortable to him…. He was very interested in train travel and the world of trains. It was a very peaceful place that he got a lot of his inspiration” from, creator and founder of Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming Inc. Darrell Lechman said.
Local puzzle night dedicated to raising funds and awareness for autism
Every year Saskatchewan families with autistic children are displaced because their province does not offer adequate support for autism services. Parent Advocates for Autism Treatment in Saskatchewan is hosting a fundraiser to meet their goal of hiring a lobbyist to confront the provincial government with their requests.
Local families of autistic children have tough decisions to make concerning staying in Saskatchewan or relocating to provinces that provide more affordable care. Compared to Saskatchewan, Alberta is sometimes considered a mecca for autistic children and is where a great number of families choose to relocate.
Additional Resources
Further Reading
Local Resources
Connect
Writing Samples
Explore Jenna Mann’s fiction writing, visit her Fiction Portfolio for a glance at her current work-in-progress, Familiar Places.