My STORY
I’m an American who has spent over half of my life living abroad. While born and raised in New Jersey, USA, I’m a serial ex-pat having lived in England, Gabon, France, and Switzerland. I’ve always enjoyed poetry and writing stories, but I give the most credit to Mrs. Flanagan and Mrs. Kostka from my teenage years for providing the foundation and encouragement I needed to develop as a young writer. Good teachers are priceless. I stopped writing for a long time in my middle years because I convinced myself the world had enough books and my voice wouldn’t add any value. I don’t believe that anymore. I’m now certain that sharing our stories is what helps humanity connect and evolve.
In more recent years, I’ve raised my beloved children, and I’ve been teaching international relations at Webster Geneva Campus in Switzerland since 2007. Engaging on complex topics with young people to search for solutions to complicated world issues brings me great joy. My real writing turnaround came for me when I joined the Geneva Writers Group. I found a community that provided the support, encouragement, and guidance that I needed to find the courage to become a published author. I’m grateful to so many people in GWG for their generosity and friendship. My husband and children remain my most important tether to this world, and I would not be who I am without them.
As for my style of writing and its content, here’s my official ‘bio blurb’: J Loretta is a poet and novelist living in Switzerland. Her writing draws on her research in international relations and the impacts of information technology on civil society, enriched by insightful observations on human complexity. She transforms sleepless nights and intense dreams into provocative, challenging, and unsettling texts, exploring the boundaries of morality, free will, and compassion, while rejecting easy answers. She enjoys open mic poetry nights in Irish pubs, feeds her inner tech geek as often as possible, and remains an optimistic gardener with moderate success.
DorothyAnne Brown
DAB Editing
"Many books in one, interweaving a thriller with social commentary, engaging characters, and fun plot twists... This is probably one of the best books I've had the honour to review here on Reedsy... Each character is well-rounded and thoughtful, given to questioning their choices and searching for humanity, while the story charges on. It was very hard to put down!"
Reedsy Discovery
Best Contemporary Fiction
for The Aspirants
Mansoor Ahmed for
"At its heart, 'The Aspirants' is about families trying to make impossible ethical choices in a system that’s clearly broken.
J. Loretta’s writing is sharp and moves quickly, balancing big, visual scenes—like a raid in a Paris bar—with quiet, much more intimate conversations... I finished The Aspirants feeling deeply reflective; it’s the kind of story that forces you to think about how thin the line really is between order and chaos."
"A cracking novel dealing with a really topical subject of end of life dignity. The structure, characters, plot and pacing are top-notch, making this a real action page-turner that never feels heavy despite the subject matter."
"Really good read that tackles the very issues that we as humans are grappling with in today's political climate. Will have you pondering your own ethics through good storytelling. Thought provoking and well written."
Keith Mbuya for
"If you are looking for a crime thriller flavored with drama, dystopia, suspense, political intrigue, plot twists, and robust social commentary, 'The Aspirants' by J Loretta is a must-read. The dramatic introduction immediately hurled me into the story’s core issues. Loretta hooked me with impressive narration and fascinating characters...
I loved this book."
My Poems
Here you will find some of my poems, listed by title - if you click on the title, you'll be able to read each poem.
You are welcome to share them, but please keep my name attached to the work.
And if you really like them, think about buying my chapbook: Matters to Me.
