Welcome to the 5 Questions Series. Each week, I’ll ask five questions of some of my favorite authors, editors, publishers, and other industry professionals. This week, I’m talking with Chanel M. Sutherland.
First, I’m so very excited about your book! Can you tell me about it—what it’s about, your path to publication?
Thank you. Layaway Child is a collection of short stories that I’ve been writing in some form since I was 18. The title itself is deeply personal—a phrase I coined as a teenager when I first learned what layaway meant. It felt like the perfect metaphor for my own experiences and the stories I wanted to tell. The book explores the Vincentian immigrant experience in Montreal, Quebec, touching on themes like girlhood, racism, microaggressions, motherhood, and violence. These loosely connected stories weave a narrative about identity, belonging, and the complexities of living between two cultures.
My path to publication has been a long one. I’ve wanted to write stories for as long as I can remember—so long, in fact, that I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything else. My big break came with the CBC Nonfiction Prize win. Suddenly, after years of dreaming about becoming a writer, I was one. It felt surreal, and honestly, I felt like an imposter. Then, a year later, I won the CBC Short Story Prize, and even I had to admit that maybe it wasn’t a fluke. Maybe there was something there after all—something worth pursuing.
Now, after all these years, it feels surreal to say that Layaway Child will be released in spring 2026 with House of Anansi. This collection has been part of my life for so long, and I’m thrilled that it will finally find its way into the hands of readers.
You recently made a transition to full-time writer. I know so many writers would love to do that. Can you talk about your journey and any advice you have for others?
I’ve been working since I was 15, and for most of those years, I was doing everything but writing. I worked in retail, athletics, youth centers, and later in marketing—because at least there, I could flex my writing muscles a little. But I wasn’t writing the stories that were living inside me. Well, I was writing them, but they ended up stashed away, collecting metaphorical dust. Unfortunately, you don’t graduate from university and apply for a job as an author. I had to make a living, and that living ended up taking over for 20 years.
Eventually, I reached a point where I realized my soul was begging for me to stop ignoring my writing. The universe has a funny way of nudging you at just the right moment, and without diving into all the details, I finally decided it was time to step away from my corporate job and try writing full-time. It wasn’t an easy decision—and it still isn’t. I had to weigh what I was giving up: a steady paycheck, benefits, security. I had to make sure the timing was right, that I had a plan in place, and, most importantly, that I had the support of my family and partner.
Even now, I’m adjusting. There are days when I wake up terrified, questioning everything. But those days are fewer and fewer now. What I’ve learned is that it’s never the perfect time to take a leap like this—you just have to decide if the risk is worth it for you.
My advice to other writers dreaming of this transition? First, give yourself permission to want it. Then, start planning for it. Build a financial cushion, test the waters with your writing, and find your support system. And most importantly, keep writing. Even if it’s in stolen moments, even if it feels impossible, keep going. You owe that to yourself and your stories.
You run a marketing service for authors. What’s that about?
Dragonfly is deeply personal to me—it’s my way of giving back to the writing community and helping authors navigate what can feel like an overwhelming world of book marketing. As writers, we pour our hearts and souls into our work, but when it comes time to get our stories into readers’ hands, so many of us feel lost.
I wanted to empower authors to take control of their marketing with confidence and a personalized approach. Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, marketing is something you can’t escape—but it doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing. At Dragonfly, we help authors discover and amplify their unique voice, building a brand that reflects who they are and what their stories stand for.
Through one-on-one consultations and personalized marketing plans, we work together to create strategies that fit your goals, budget, and time. Whether it’s planning a book launch, growing your online presence, or connecting with readers, my goal is to make marketing feel achievable and, dare I say, even enjoyable.
The name ‘Dragonfly’ means a lot to me. It’s a symbol of transformation, resilience, and finding beauty in the in-between. Growing up in the Caribbean, dragonflies were a constant in my childhood, and later in life, one appeared to me during a tough time, reminding me of home and giving me hope. That’s what I want Dragonfly to be for writers—a source of guidance, encouragement, and the push they need to soar with their stories.
Helping writers share their words with the world is a privilege, and I take it to heart. Every author I work with has a story worth telling, and my mission is simple: to help them tell it in a way that resonates far and wide.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on my first novel, and I’m so excited about it. It’s set during the Black Carib Wars in the Caribbean and will be a blend of historical fiction and sci-fi. I’m diving deep into the history and culture of the time, and layering in speculative elements to reimagine what could have been. It’s a project that feels both challenging and thrilling—it’s pushing me to explore new ways of storytelling, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
At the same time, I’m also writing a dystopian fantasy novella, which I like to think of as my pet project. It’s definitely a little more out there—fringe, chaotic, and unapologetically wild. I’m not ready to say too much about it just yet, but let’s just say it might ruffle a few feathers. And honestly, I kind of love that about it. Writing these two very different projects side by side has been such a creative rush, and I’m excited to see how they evolve.
If you could offer one small piece of advice for other writers, what would it be?
Be unapologetically bold and brave. The world needs your stories—your way. There’s never a shortage of things to write about, so whatever your story is, trust me, someone out there wants to read it. Someone out there needs it. It’s easy to second-guess yourself, to wonder if your voice is enough, or if your story matters. But it does. It always does.
Writing isn’t just about putting words on a page—it’s about making connections, offering glimpses of hope, understanding, or even just a moment of escape. So, don’t hold back. Be fearless in telling the stories only you can tell. They’re yours for a reason.
And remember, it’s okay to stumble along the way. Writing is messy, vulnerable, and often uncomfortable. But that’s where the magic happens. Keep going. Be bold. Be brave. The world is waiting.
Bonus question: Have you ever taken a picture of a weird bird?
Weird no. I did recently take this photo of what I believe is a woodpecker, but his beak looks broken. He was still pecking away at our apple tree though so I named him Trooper.
Chanel can be found at her website here and for Dragonfly here
Finnian Burnett 