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John Domini had an impact on two important periods of my life. Just before I won the De Novo prize and published my first book, I was years removed from my graduate writing degree and worked intense corporate jobs. Feeling disconnected from the literary world, I attended my first AWP and made a decision to start a blog and reach out to writers. John became one of my first friends on social. We chatted often over the years and I valued his opinion. I reviewed some of his books and he returned the favor.
During COVID, when I began a high school, college, and novel writing group I had a revelation that my tribe could be anywhere. Working from home, I explored different places to live, settling on Lisbon. In preparation, I discussed John’s relationship with Italy, and dreamed of a life on more than one continent. This summer, I’m moving to Europe with my wife, having expected to see John eventually in Lisbon. In fact, he was in Madeira this spring—someone who appreciated history, culture, and literature on many shores. I will think of him in Europe and toast his memory as I move forward in the next phase of my life.
Martin Ott is the author of eleven books of poetry and fiction. His first two poetry collections won the De Novo and Sandeen Prizes. His work has appeared in more than three hundred magazines and twenty anthologies. A former US Army interrogator and longtime LA resident, Ott works as a communications professional and develops for TV and film in between other writing projects.