The Artsy Raven Podcast about Writing and Art with host JF Garrard

Rachel Howzell Hall discusses how she navigates writing boththrillers and romantasies, the challenges of worldbuilding, and why she chooses to publish all her work under her own name rather than a pen name.Rachel Howzell Hall is the critically acclaimed author of the Amazon Charts bestseller We Lie Here, These Toxic Things (nominated for the Anthony, Strand, and International Thriller Award), as well as And Now She’s Gone (nominated for theLos Angeles Times Book Prize). Rachel is a former member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America and was a featured writer on NPR’s acclaimed “Crime in the City” series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast. Rachel lives in Los Angeles with her husband anddaughter.In this episode, she reads from The Cruel Dawn.Author website -  rachelhowzell.comArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrardPatreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Bruce Allen discusses his journey into Japanese literaturetranslation, his experience working with Ishimure Michiko, and why Spring Castle is considered her magnum opus, emphasizing that successful translation requires patience to move beyond the surface and capture the spirit of the text.About the AuthorIshimure Michiko (1927-2018) is regarded as one of Japan's most important modern writers. She published over 50 worksranging from novels, non-fiction, Noh drama and poetry to essays, memoirs and children's stories. She received numerous international and Japanese literary awards including the Ramon Magsaysay Award from the Philippines (1973) and the Asahi Prize for literature in Japan (2001). Her best-known work, Paradise in the Sea of Sorrow; Our Minamata Disease (1969), was reprinted over 30 times in Japan and has been translated into English and several otherlanguages. This work, along with several other books focusing on the Minamata Disease incident, led to her being known as the "mother of the Japanese environmental movement" and the "Rachel Carson of Japan."About the TranslatorBruce Allen is retired Professor of translation and global environmental literature at Seisen University in Tokyo. Histranslations include Ishimure Michiko 's novel Lake of Heaven, Japanese Tales of Fantasy and Folklore, and Toward the Paradise of Flowers, a documentary film on Ishimure. He is editor of Ishimure Michiko's Writing in Ecological Perspective: Between Sea and Sky. His translation of several chapters of Spring Castle was recognized by the Kyoko Iriye Selden Memorial Translation Prize of Cornell University.Book link: https://www.tuttlepublishing.com/japan/spring-castle-9784805319659Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrardPatreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Katie talks about the influence of Little Women on her latest book, the biggest challenge faced in writing her first book and what her latest project is.Katie Bernet lives in Dallas, Texas. As one of three sisters, she’s a diehard fan of Little Women. Beth Is Dead is her debut novel.In this episode, she reads from Beth Is Dead.Author link: https://www.katiebernet.com Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrardPatreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Chris and Brandi discuss the programs offered by theCanadian Authors Association, how volunteering can enrich a writer’s life, and the personal and professional benefits that come from giving back to the literary community.Christopher Gorman is the national Co-Chair of the CanadianAuthor Association, and co-host of the Words with Writers Podcast. His first novel, Dawn of Magic: Rise of the Guardians was released in 2020 and explores what he identifies as the trilogy of powers in this world—nature (magic), faith, and science. Book two in the series is scheduled for release in the fall of 2026. gn the mountains and explored sites of ancient wisdom and magic in England, Scotland Wales, and Ireland. His passion for the environment and inclusivity inform his work and life.Brandi Tanner is the Administrative Director for CanadianAuthors Association (CAA). She holds roles with several non-profit organizations in the Canadian written works sector, including as a Board Director for Book and Periodical Council (BPC). Brandi is a cohost of Words with Writers Podcast. An avid fan of reading, writing, and cats, Brandi can be found writing short stories and STILL working on her science fiction novel. Link to CAA-Toronto: https://canadianauthors.org/toronto/Link to CAA-National: https://canadianauthors.org/national/ Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrardPatreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Lindsay and Justin Lee share the story of founding theirpuppetry animation studio, reveal their inspiration for Go Togo’s transit vehicle characters, and reflect on the challenges of bringing their films to life.Founded by wife-and-husband team Lindsay & Justin Lee,Gazelle Automations is an award-winning Toronto-based film production company redefining practical storytelling through puppetry, model miniatures, and animation. Their preschool series Miikshi (TVOkids) earned the 2023 KidscreenAward for Best Web/App Series and the 2022 WIFT-T Award for Best Writing, while Lindsay was named the 2025 Youth Media Alliance Emerging Talent Award recipient. Together, the Lees continue to elevate Canadian children’s media bymerging imagination, craftsmanship, and heart, and Go Togo remains their proudest ride yet.GO TOGO: https://gem.cbc.ca/go-togoGazelle Automations: https://www.gazelleautomations.com/Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrardPatreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard