Living a writing life
Leanne Fournier’s poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction is infused with vivid imagery and a profound sense of place.
Somewhere, My Home
Somewhere, My Home begins in the early days of the global pandemic, as isolation settled deeply into the bones of the author’s remote, wilderness home. While time passed and the veil of enforced seclusion lifted, Leanne’s search for home and belonging continued to fill the pages. That pursuit takes readers on hesitant forays into untamed forests with only the birds for company, on gentle paddles through known and unknown waters, and on watchful walks through urban streets. In all, she observes contradictions, parallels and answers to the elusive question, “where is home?” During this time, she also learned that some of us find our way home through doors we didn’t expect. Leanne’s lyrical dance through the natural and unnatural world will carry you away on themes of survival, joy, anguish, awe and hope. It is a love song for anyone searching for home and belonging.
My first home lived on inside me
long after it was time to move on.
It is where the idea of home was born.
I took those lessons with me to
every house thereafter: the sheen
of my mother’s dining room table groaning
under the weight of contributions
from four sisters; four generations
crammed elbow to elbow, the brush of
kindred skin against skin never too close.
-From the collection's title poem "Somewhere Home"
Somewhere, My Home is truly, a labour of love where Leanne’s words are made even more beautiful through book design, photos and illustrations by her partner in life, Michael Fournier and her eldest, Everette Fournier.
Because of how much love has gone into it’s creation, Leanne has chosen to hold her book close for now and will be sharing it at live events where she can put signed copies into the hands of her readers and at locally owned bookstores. You can also order your personally signed copy here: leanne@mightywrite.ca. Stay tuned for Paypal links for Canada, U.S. and international shipping.
The book is also available at Elizabeth Campbell Books and Lake of the Woods Museum in Kenora.
Book launch is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 1 to 3 pm at the Discovery Centre in Kenora, Ontario.
Other launch events are being planned in Ontario and Manitoba.
If you’d like Leanne to join you for readings or a booky gathering of some kind, email leanne@mightywrite.ca.
Early praise for Somewhere, My Home
“Somewhere, My Home takes the reader on a heartfelt, nuanced, and bittersweet journey. People with many different experiences of home will feel seen and welcome here. It is a collection to return to, and get new learnings from, on each re-read. I’m so excited to see this collection in print!”
– Michelle Spencer, Armchair Rebel / The Geometry of Grief
“Somewhere, My Home’s tender poems provide a tranquil respite that reconnects and grounds me in my love for nature and humanity. Leanne Fournier’s wide-open heart weaves warmth and healing into each stanza, offering comfort during turbulent times. Her poetry reminds me of what truly matters in a life well lived.”
– April Bell, My Life in Paragraphs: Find and Tell Your Stories
“‘Where’s home for you?’ was, for many years, my least favorite question. I can tell you where I was born, the two countries and cities I grew up shuttling between throughout my childhood, but home? Don’t know where that is. My outsider identity was the closest thing to “home” but that sure didn’t keep me warm at night. With Somewhere, My Home, I finally feel ready to unpack my own home journey, to plumb its depths.”
– Rumi Tsuchihashi, author, I Want This For Us: The Tiny Moments That Give Marriage a Chance
“In a world that’s constantly in flux and where the definition of “home” is complex, Leanne’s writing offers solace and hope. Her poetry opens readers’ hearts, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a longing to find home.”
– Bernadette Jiwa, Founder, The Story Skills Workshop.
This video provides a sneak peek of one of Leanne’s poems, entitled “Love Floated Up.” It appeared in an exhibit, “Art Musings” at the Douglas Family Art Centre in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.
What is Love
“What is love?” is a question as old as time. An international group of authors came together to query this in a new book by the same title. The diversity of stories from such a broad community underlines the potential and power of love to turn hopelessness into hope.
“We show up in community with open hearts to notice our lives, to practice, and to hear each other’s stories,” reflects Story Republic founder and best-selling author Bernadette Jiwa. “The stories within the pages of What is Love were made possible by small acts of faith and love—which, at its heart, is storytelling.”
This video includes an excerpt of Leanne’s contribution, “Love is Like Peanut Brittle”, where she recount her parents’ 65-year love story. This story is even more bittersweet with the passing of Leanne’s gentle dad in September 2025.
You can read more about the authors and how to get the book at whatislovebook.org. Copies of the book are also available at the Lake of the Woods Museum in Kenora.
Twisting Currents
Twisting Currents is a fictional novel, seeking truths when the rights of people and places have been polluted by capitalism, greed, and racism. This work-in-progress seeks to find the truth and uncover some of the dark secrets that have impeded justice and accountability related to the poisoning of an entire Indigenous community and river system.
Leanne is currently applying for funding from the Ontario Arts Council (fingers and toes crossed) to help get to the finish line with a publisher-ready manuscript. It’s been a very long journey!
Go on a walk with Leanne on some of her other published and unpublished forays into poetry and short stories.
Leanne explores stories and examines topics and people often unseen and unheard at mightywrite.substack.com and on her MightyWrite blog.