Faces of Wilton: Marcelle Soviero

When Wilton-based author and teacher Marcelle Soviero found out that one of her favorite magazines Brain, Child was going to fold last summer, she jumped at the chance to take it over because she believed that mothers should have resource in which share their thoughts about parenting.

“The subject of motherhood has always been on my mind, ever since I had my first little one,” Soviero, a mother of five, told Patch.

Soviero had already written multiple essays related to parenting and, in 2012, she published “An Iridescent Life: Essays on Motherhood and Stephood,” which chronicled her journey as both a mother and stepmother. Soviero said that she wanted to keep Brain, Child going because it was so different from other parenting magazines that have been out for years.

“It’s completely different. It’s not going to teach you how to put a diaper on your baby or what type of stroller you should pick out. It’s the magazine for thinking mothers,” she said. “We publish literary essays, non-fiction and feature articles that are extremely in-depth, and they’re written by both new and well-established writers. It’s really designed to bring out all of the different issues that mothers go through. These are the real issues that you talk about over coffee with your friends.”

The magazine’s most recent issues have covered a wide variety of topics, including electronics and their effect on children, circumcisions, adoption vs. in vitro fertilization and sexual abuse. Soviero said that she specifically likes to explore blended families and religion.

 “My ex-husband is Jewish and I’m Catholic, so I like to write about how families can come together and celebrate [both religions],” she said.

When she’s not working with her staff on Brain, Child, Soviero teaches writing classes at the Westport Writers Workshop, as well as seminars designed to help writers learn how to get published or work their way through writer’s block. She also volunteers at Masonicare in Norwalk on a monthly basis.

With five children to raise, her own publishing business to run and classes to teach, how does Soviero keep her life balanced? She told Patch that it’s all about organization, which comes naturally to her.

“People make fun of me because I plan my children’s birthday parties two months in advance,” she said. “I also have a very supportive husband…. It also helps to love what you do because then you’ll make time for anything.”

It also doesn’t hurt that Soviero wakes up between 3:30 and 4 a.m. each morning so that she can get most of her work completed by 10 a.m.

Being a part of the Wilton community has also been an inspiration for Soviero. The eight-year resident’s studio, which she shares with her husband, overlooks the Saugatuck River and the atmosphere could be described as quite peaceful and serene.

“Having lived in New York City for a big chunk of my adult life, it was wonderful to come here and meet some many wonderful writers, artists and creative people. It made all the difference,” she said. “The schools have just been wonderful for my children and Wilton Center is nearby and convenient. I’ve traveled all over and I just don’t want to be anywhere else.”