by Timothy Pike

This month, I sit down with author and journalist Steffanie Costigan, who talks about her latest book, A Stony Gaze, which she wrote in an effort to reduce group polarization—the “echo chamber” phenomenon that, over time, tends to make the beliefs of a group stronger and more extreme.

In our interview, Steffanie also discusses her personal life, including the biggest challenge she faces in her writing journey, and the funny (but convenient) place she penned—in the form of hieroglyphs—her very first stories.

Welcome, Steffanie. Are you from Alberta originally? Have you lived anywhere else?

Yes, I was born and raised in Alberta my whole life; I did, however, live in Adelaide, Australia, for eighteen months.

Why was A Stony Gaze a story that needed to be told?

I believe more than ever on social media we are running into more and more group polarization, and the reason this story was created is to help youth recognize the harm this has created, so that perhaps they can choose not to participate in group polarization.

Did you really start writing at the age of three? How did that come about?

I am told by my parents I drew stories all over my room walls like hieroglyphs, so that was my early stages of storytelling. As I got older, I started to grab children’s books, fold paper up to look like a book, and would copy the words onto my little fake book I made.

Who are your favorite writers?

I really like Wilson Rawls, who wrote Where the Red Fern Grows, Natalie Babbitt, who wrote Tuck Everlasting, and Sid Fleischman, who wrote The Whipping Boy. These are books from my childhood that I enjoy even today.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle in my writing career is my learning disability with dyslexia. This for a long time slowed me down as a writer. I have tools that help me overcome this, but even with the tools, I have to work so much harder than other writers. Dyslexia is just something I have learned to accept and just push through and work hard past.

Do you have a daily writing routine?

No, I don’t. When inspiration comes, I work and work until I am satisfied with what I have written. Being a mother of four, I take in the small things and enjoy life and think about things that give me inspiration to write.

What led you to become a journalist?

It wasn’t something I planned, or thought of, until during Covid when I directed a play, A Stony Gaze. I had a reporter interview me, and after she said that she thought I would make an excellent journalist. Shortly after, while studying creative writing, the dean told me he thought I would do really well in the journalism program. And that was really what led me to becoming a journalist.

What do you consider your biggest writing achievement so far?

Honestly, I have another novel that has won a few awards. I have had great opportunities, but for me, the biggest achievement was when someone who was recovering in the hospital reached out to me and told me my book made a difference to her, helped distract her from the pain she was experiencing, gave her hope. To me, that is why I write—to impact people and make a difference in their lives, even if it is small.

What’s next for you?

More books and writing! I have many stories I have planned out for the future, and I am looking into doing some audiobooks too. I also want to explore writing different genres. I will continue to give it my all with my writing and hope it makes an impact.

Steffanie Costigan is a journalist who has always held a strong passion for writing despite her severe disability with dyslexia. This novel, A Stony Gaze, is her life’s work, as she started writing this book at the young age of twelve and didn’t stop until publication. Steffanie has also written plays and had the opportunity to direct one of them. She studied creative writing and took her program in digital communications and media at Lethbridge College. Steffanie met the love of her life, Jarom Costigan, in Adelaide, Australia, and they are currently living in Alberta, Canada, with their three children.

Be sure to visit Steffanie at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.