To commemorate his having turned Rome from a city of brick to a city of marble, first Roman Emperor Augustus had publicly inscribed in bronze a lengthy list of his accomplishments. This came to be known as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti.
In Latin, that literally means something like “The Things-Having-Been-Accomplished of the Divine Augustus”, but most translations simplify the perfect passive participle of gestae into something less awkward in English along the lines of “Deeds” or “Achievements.”
While not inscribed in bronze, this page contains an overview of my educational and professional history – my own Res Gestae, so to speak.
Education History
- Bachelor of Humanities & Classical Studies: Carleton University — 2013, Highest Honours
The prestigious College of the Humanities is Carleton University’s Great Books program. Beginning with some of the oldest literature in human history with Mesopotamian texts such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, we followed the intellectual history of humanity down to the most prominent thinkers of the 21st century.
As you might expect, I was particularly drawn to the world literature we study. While I have always had a lifelong passion for mythology, I was particularly struck by the epic stories found in Medieval and Early Modern chivalric romances.
Since first encountering the story in the program’s third year, Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso remains one of my favourite books.
- Master of Arts, Classical Studies: University of Ottawa — 2016, Major Research Paper: The Legal and Literary Reception of the Jews in Christian Late Antiquity (AD 312-430)
The University of Ottawa’s Department of Classics and Religious Studies specialises in high-level research of Late Antiquity (the period of roughly AD 300-800). To that end, much of my own research emphasised the religious and literary history of Late Antiquity, with a particular emphasis on Jewish history.
The culmination of this research was a multi-semester Major Research paper examining the status of the Empire’s Jewish populations during the period of the consolidation of Rome’s new Christian identity during the reigns of Emperors from Constatine to Theodosius II.
- Professional Writing Diploma, Algonquin College — 2020
Thanks to my previous academic experience, I was able to begin Algonquin College’s Professional Writing program as a direct entry student in the program’s second year. We gained practical hands-on experience with grant and proposal writing, social media branding and management, scriptwriting, various forms of editing, publishing, and creative writing, as well as insights in industry trends and best practices under such instructors as award-winning Canadian author Natalie Morrill.
While the Professional Writing program allowed me to engage with my passion for creative writing, it was during my time at Algonquin that I was first introduced to scriptwriting. In addition to receiving a perfect grade in my scriptwriting course, I discovered a new passion for scriptwriting as a discipline and have been pursuing it as a hobby since.
Seriously developing my scriptwriting remains one of my long-term goals, and I hope that Emona Literary Services™ will branch into audio and podcast production in the not-too-distant future.
Work History
- Freelance Writer & Editor — since 2021
My clients include local authors, government employees, and charitable organisations. Although I have primarily worked with Ottawa-based clients, I am open to working with new clients from all across Canada and around the world. - Editorial & Acquisitions Team, Renaissance Press — since 2020
I have edited, proofread, and reviewed for publication 21 manuscripts by Canadian authors as of Fall 2024.
- Web/Social Media Writer & Blog Contributor — various projects since 2017
My works have been featured on Pop Culture websites such as Screen Rant and the FanSided network’s Anime Away and Bam Smack Pow!
This job requires me to closely follow the industry (particularly anime and comic books) to break news including trailer reveals, episode release dates, and series renewals or cancellations. I also produce long-form reviews and commentary. - Literary IP Manager, Realmgard — since 2017
As of Summer 2025, I am in the process of releasing the 9 middle-grade fantasy books I have written under the pen name J.B. Norman. I also maintain social media and web presence to promote this literary brand, including a blog that I continue to update every day.
The Realmgard website can be viewed here. Start with the first chapter of my first story here. - Pro bono assistance to local not-for-profits — since 2016
I offer clerical, administrative, research, writing/editing, and social media management services on a pro bono basis to non-profits including long-term care homes, churches, community, and educational organisations.
Further examples of things having been accomplished are available on my portfolio page.
Follow me on my various social media platforms here:
Emona Literary Services 