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

K. R. Wilson discusses the inspiration behind his historicalfiction, how a writing contest launched his career, and why the editing process is something writers should truly savour.

K. R. Wilson is a Toronto-area writer. His novel An IdeaAbout my Dead Uncle won the inaugural Guernica Prize in 2018, and his novel Call Me Stan was long-listed for the 2022 Leacock Medal. His follow-up novel Stan on Guard will be published by Guernica Editions in 2026 and his SF-noir Tendrils by Palimpsest Press in 2027. His work has appearedin various literary journals and the flash fiction anthologies This Will Only Take a Minute (Guernica Editions) and Sticks and Stones (Chicken House Press). He can be found at www.krwilson.ca and on social media at @krwbooks.

In this episode, Kevin reads from Stan on Guard.
Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/stan-on-guard

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Mackenzie Stannard discusses his path into filmmakingthrough volunteering, how he came to document Nyousha Nakhjiri’s journey in Constant Battles, and why having a strong team is essential for directors.

Mackenzie Stannard is a Canadian filmmaker driven to telltrue stories that challenge and reshape the country’s social and political landscape. He began his career as the Peter Gzowski intern at CBC Radio, later working on documentary series for outlets like National Geographic and HGTVbefore moving into independent production. His first film, This Ink Runs Deep, premiered at Toronto International Film Festival and streamed on CBC Gem. Over five years, he has produced multiple documentaries shown by major platformsand festivals. Since his 2022 directorial debut at the Whistler Film Festival, he has continued directing, including for CBC. Living with ADHD, he champions stories that uplift neurodiverse voices.

His latest project, Constant Battles follows NyoushaNakhjiri, Canada’s number-one ranked flyweight boxer, on her high-stakes quest to compete in the Olympics, a dream that demands absolute perfection.

Filmmaker website: https://www.mackstannard.com/

Constant Battles will have its highly anticipated world premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto on April 25th.  

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/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Visit artsyraven.com/free to win a copy of Somewhere inNowhere! Enter by May 8, 2026.

Steven Gellman shares how his background as a songwritershaped his debut novel, explains why telling the story of an LGBTQ+ Jewish teenager felt necessary, and treats us to a live performance of the theme song he wrote for Somewhere in Nowhere.

Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turnedauthor whose stories hum with the same heart and honesty found in his music. Inspired by the books of Judy Blume that once kept him company through his own adolescence, Steven now writes coming-of-age fiction that gives voice to LGBTQ+teens finding their way in an ever-changing world. When not writing novels or performing music, Steven can be found in a comfy chair with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Steven lives in Maryland's Piedmont region withhis husband and a houseful of rescued companion animals. Somewhere in Nowhere is his first novel.

In this episode, Steven reads from Somewhere in Nowhereand also sings us the theme song he wrote for this book!
Author website: https://hiddenpoet.com/author
Book links: Amazon listing, Bookshop listing

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/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Ahmad Saber discusses balancing his medical career withwriting, how suffering inspired his debut novel, and why completing a manuscript is a crucial step for aspiring writers.

Ahmad Saber is a medical doctor specializing in rheumatology and internal medicine. Born and raised in Pakistan, Ahmad and his family moved to Canada while he was in high school. He writes contemporary young adult novels that explore themes of discovering identity and belonging. Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions is his debut novel and is based on his lived experience as an immigrant and desi person of color. By day, you can find him attempting KATSEYE choreography with his niece at home in British Columbia, Canada.

In this episode, Ahmad reads from Ramin Abbas Has MAJORQuestions.

Follow Ahmad on Instagram at @TheAhmadSaber.
Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Ramin-Abbas-Has-MAJOR-Questions/Ahmad-Saber/9781665960694

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/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Melanie Dale shares how she went from being a zombie on The Walking Dead to writing for the television series Creepshow, and reveals the personal inspiration behind creating a book centered on a character living with OCD.

Before embracing her love of monsters and sneaking intoMina’s fictional world, Melanie Dale published a bunch of nonfiction books, shambled around as a zombie on TV, and survived cancer. She’s written episodes for the anthology horror television series Creepshow and over a decade of essays for Coffee + Crumbs. While she has won no awards forliterature, she won a Halloween costume contest one time and still feels pretty stoked about it. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching yoga or battling her own brain. She lives in the Atlanta area.

In this episode, Melanie reads from Lore.
Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Girl-of-Lore/Melanie-Dale/9781665969826

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/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard