Veronica Guido

With my debut novel, The Rose of Ravenna, that much closer to publication – and being on bookstore shelves – I thought, why not spend a moment formally introducing myself, and some of the inspiration behind my novel?

There is no time like the present, right?

I’m a pretty big believer that you can, and should, be more than one thing in your lifetime. How boring would it be otherwise? So while I can very soon add author to my list of “who is Veronica”, it already is comprised of a few things:

• A lawyer by day (more boring than it sounds)
• A writer by night
• A Yoga & Mindfulness teacher
• An absolute lover of coffee and travel
• Even a third-generation Tarot reader

More importantly, I am:

• A sister (both younger and older – middle child!)
• A daughter
• A wife
• An aunt (my most favourite title)

I have a BA Hons in Political Science with a minor in Humanities & literature from York University, Toronto, after which I recieved a JD (Jurid Doctor, Law Degree) from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. After articling with the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (Aboriginal law was the specialization of my JD), I decided to go back to school, completing an LLM (Masters of Law) at Osgoode Hall, York University, where I ultimately wrote about my woes with the area of law. In 2023, I began a Creative Writing Certificate at The University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies, where the idea for this novel eventually grew.

If not obvious by my inspiration alla Dante, I am a lover of classics, Roman-Greco mythology (I even have a tattoo dedicated to Homer), and the history of my Italian father, both familial and country. I truly love being part Italian, so much so I formally began studying the language in 2020, and try to visit Italy every year or two, if I can. My father is from Calabria, so naturally, the south of Italy has my heart (and bloodline), though I do love the Eternal City and Florence to my very core.

My mother, on the other hand, is of Indigenous ancestry (which yes, explains the career path), and many of the teachings I have from my Grandmother impart themselves in my stories and storytelling style, such as the use of plants and nature as literary devices. Through this same grandmother, I am a third-generation Tarot reader, which has strongly influenced my second novel, The Fall of the House of Sfroza (STAY TUNED!). As a big fan of duality, I quite fancy the blending of my story in my stories, combining my two sides. This is so much so that when I wrote my LLM on Aboriginal Law, I literally used Homer’s The Odyssey to demonstrate the Canadian law on the Duty to Consult and its issues (anyone can read my thesis should you Google my name and LLM).

I am what I call a non-practicing, practicing lawyer, as while I work in the legal field, I no longer am in Court or necessarily giving legal advice (which I love, btw), working in an “alternative legal practice” within the intersections of Aboriginal law. I also teach Yoga a few times a week, and sometimes put on Mindfulness Meditation workshops (reach out for corporate sessions on this).

And while I enjoy all that I do, being a writer – being a novelist – has always been the end goal for me. I’m hopeful that goal will come true, sooner maybe than I hoped, with the release of my debut novel in just a few short months. This, of course, is only possible through readers, such as perhaps yourself?

I also hope to have more information on book ordering (maybe even advanced ordering) in the coming few weeks. And you bet you will be amongst the first to know these details!

P.S.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the official-ness of The Rose of Ravenna! My author photo, taken by my friend, Lauren, of Be Loved Photography in the Niagara region!