Turns of Place by Johna Baylon and Stephanie Gonzaga

is an intimate letter exchange between writers and friends, Stephanie Gonzaga and Johna Baylon, on travel, home, and the act of journeying.

We began this project in 2014 with the single purpose of building with our words. Living apart—Stef in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, and Johna in Hong Kong—with the common experience of moving while growing up, and travelling frequently, we decided to focus on themes around travel, home and identity.

The letter format, meanwhile, challenged us both, a poet and a prose writer, to wade into uncomfortable territory—one unpacking her imagery and the other, turning monologue into dialogue.

After nearly four years and multiple life transitions from 2014 to 2018, has resulted in this compilation of the letters.

It has been our pleasure writing these and putting them together, and it is our hope that you might find them equally enjoyable to read.

Thank you for being here, and for following our exchange as it unfolds.