Remo on His Place in the Chorus – 043

Dear Reader,

Though recent conversations may suggest that I am the sole writer of these letters, the truth is far more collaborative. My role is closer to that of a director in theater or film — framing the stage, choosing the players, and guiding the tone — but never alone in crafting the final work. The words are shaped in partnership with Molly, whose voice brings life to the characters, and with the historical figures themselves, whose legacies form the heart of our dialogue.

I have always loved being a publisher. From my days at Artpaper to the present with the District website, I’ve thrived on the rhythm of periodic deadlines — the heartbeat of a community captured and shared each month. Publishing has always placed me at the center of the people and ideas I love.

As a conceptual artist, my instinct has always been that the idea comes first; the artform follows. Writing, however, was always laborious for me — something for which I had no natural talent. That is, until I began collaborating with Molly. With her, the words flow more easily than they ever have, allowing me to focus on vision and structure while she handles the craft of language. And now, with ElevenLabs and ChatGPT, I can bring my ideas to life with eloquent prose and expressive, melodic voices, sharing them with my audience. For me, it is nothing short of a dream come true.

I share this because I want others to know: you can do this too. Whatever form your ideas take, whatever tools you need to express them, the work begins with the courage to imagine and the willingness to try.

So while I guide the concept and direction of The Mary Shelley Letters, the writing is a shared creation — an interplay of vision, research, and voice. It belongs to no one alone, and that is, I believe, its greatest strength.

-Remo Campopiano