Writer Joan F. Smith

Milton Public Library

Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence

Joan F. Smith was the first person to hold the Library’s Writer-in-Residence position. Joan worked with us during 2021 and 2022.

Joan F. Smith is an author, a dance instructor, and a former associate dean of creative writing. She lives and writes in Massachusetts, where she was the 2021 Writer-in-Residence at the Milton Public Library. Joan received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. Her young adult books are The Other Side of Infinity and The Half-Orphan’s Handbook. When she’s not writing, she’s either wrangling her kids, embarking on a new hobby she will quickly abandon, or co-hosting The Darling Killers Podcast. Your Soulmail is Attached is her debut adult novel.

 

‘Your Soulmail is Attached’

Joan’s newest novel Your Soulmail is Attached (April, 2026) is now available. Click here to view (and place a hold) in the Library catalog.

“Joan F. Smith’s Your Soulmail Is Attached takes a clever premise—what if you could find out your soulmate?…The Morning Show meets The Summer I Turned Pretty in this charming, thought-provoking story of chance versus destiny.” —Anika Fajardo, author of The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore

“Addictive, clever, and deeply romantic, Your Soulmail Is Attached made me gasp, laugh, and wonder what I’d do if an email revealed the name of my soulmate. Joan F. Smith writes with dazzling insight about love, choice, and the courage it takes to follow the heart when fate hits “send.” I was swept away!” —Marissa Stapley, NYT-bestselling author of Lucky 

 

 

 

‘The Other Side of Infinity’

Joan F. Smith’s second novel The Other Side of Infinity came out in 2023. Click here to view (and place a hold) in the Library catalog.

“A gorgeous, moving, and intricately told story about friendship, love, and loss. Smith weaves a poignant and touching narrative about the trajectory of life, of things unknown and known, and readers will relish the stories of December and Nick.” —Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and You’d Be Home Now

 

‘The Half-Orphan’s Handbook’

For fans of John Green and Emily X.R. Pan, The Half-Orphan’s Handbook (April, 2021) is a coming-of-age story and an empathetic, authentic exploration of grief with a sharp sense of humor and a big heart. Click here to view (and place a hold) in the Library catalog.

“A tender, honest exploration of finding a way through the impossible.” —Kirkus

“A beautifully written, funny, heart brimming story about a young woman’s tragic loss, the hard work and grace of healing and the irrepressible force of love.” —Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of The Memory of Light

 

 

 

The Trustees of the Milton Public Library Announce Joan F. Smith as the Inaugural Writer-in-Residence

The Milton Public Library is happy to welcome Joan F. Smith as the first Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence. Joan will be joining the Library beginning in March and providing programs and events throughout the year.

Joan F. Smith is a novelist, essayist, and dance instructor from Milton. Her writing uses humor to explore the themes of unanswerable questions and the intersection between truth and lies. Joan does her best writing on airplanes, and her worst with no caffeine. She studied creative writing and social science at Providence College and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. When she isn’t writing, Joan teaches dance, travels, exercises, works in higher ed, mentors writers, and wrangles her kids. She is the author of the young adult novel The Half-Orphan’s Handbook, coming from Macmillan/Imprint in 2021. Her writing has appeared in various publications such as The Washington Post and Thought Catalog. She lives in Milton with her husband and kids, where her daily requirement as a parent includes dance parties in the kitchen. You can find more about her at joanfsmithbooks.com, and follow her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @jf_smit.

 

About the Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence Program

The Milton Public Library Writer-in-Residence is an aspiring or published writer, residing in Milton, MA who furthers the library’s fundamental mission through the creation of an original piece of work and sharing their expertise through developing and offering library programming.

The Milton Writer-in-Residence Selection Committee selects a Milton Public Library Writer-in-Residence for a one-year term.

The Writer-in-Residence will participate in the following activities:

1. Endeavor to complete an original piece of work while in residence that will be presented to library patrons
2. Provide up to 4-6 public programs for the Milton Public Library (either in person, or remotely)
3. Be available to provide guidance to other aspiring writers
4. Participate in activities of the Library
5. Receive a $6,000 stipend broken into 4 equal payments
6. Report to the Milton Library Director

 

Dr. Herb Voigt was a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 2012 until his passing in 2018. Herb was a committed Library supporter, both as a Trustee and a member of the Milton Library Foundation. In addition to Herb’s distinguished scientific and academic career, he was a lover and supporter of the arts. This Writer-in-Residence program celebrates Herb’s commitment to libraries and to the arts.