In this new collection of short fiction, the characters in The Roach Family and Other Stories share one thing in common: they strive to fit in. A malingering mother pays an agonizing visit to her ex-husband, his boyfriend, the narrator, and a tank of hissing roaches. A previously voiceless child discovers he can communicate. A first-time mom blunders upon self-doubt and finger-pointing after leaving her infant behind at a support group meeting. Organizers of a writers’ festival determine that food allergies do matter. A grieving woman uses unconventional means to appease her sorrow. With flashes of dark humour and the juicy details she’s known for, Cindy Matthews captures an assortment of flawed characters that will linger long after the stories have been consumed. The Roach Family and Other Stories features richly drawn characters at odds with the conventions of society who seek unique and surprising ways to take charge of destiny.
The Reading is followed by a moderated Q&A. The author will be available to sign books following the Reading.
SAVE ON MULTIPLE EVENTS WITH A FESTIVAL PASS.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cindy I. Matthews is a short story writer and visual artist. She and her husband live in a navy-blue house on one hundred acres in southern Bruce County. In her writing, she explores deeply flawed characters in contemporary settings. Cindy is the author of the award-winning short story collection Took You So Long (Porcupine’s Quill, August 2022) and The Roach Family and Other Stories (DarkWinter Press, April 2024).
Learn more at cindymatthews.ca or by finding her on social media.
