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

Sonido Reyes discusses their journey to becoming a writerand advocate for LGBTQ+ creators, how To Our Untamed Core was inspired by The Hunger Games, and the role real-life events play in their worldbuilding process.

Sonido Reyes is the award-winning and bestsellingauthor of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The LuisOrtega Survival Club, The Broposal, and The GoldenBoy's Guide to Bipolar. They also have contributed short stories to the anthologies Transmogrify! and For the Rest of Us. Sonido writes fiction celebrating queer and Mexican stories in a variety of genres and age categories. They serve as the vice-president of My Galvanized Friend, a nonprofit focused on providing access to and amplifying LGBTQ+ writing, art, and creators. Sonido also co-hosts the podcast Bidi Bidi Book Pod, which celebrates queer and trans BIPOC authors and stories.

In this episode, Sonido reads from To Our Untamed Core.
Links: https://www.sonidoreyes.com/
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/⁠
 
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Jane Hamilton talks about how an intern at Harper’sdiscovered her story and helped launch her writing career, how a novel evolves throughout the writing process, and what makes a character truly memorable.
 
Jane Hamilton’s novels have won literary prizes, have been made into films, and have been international bestsellers, andtwo of them, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World, wereselections of Oprah’s Book Club. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times; The Washington Post; Allure; O, The Oprah Magazine; Elle; and various anthologies. She lives on an apple farm in Wisconsin.
 
In this episode, Jane reads from The Phoebe Variations.
 
Book link: https://zibbymedia.com/products/the-phoebe-variations?srsltid=AfmBOore_k2viVKCaKUrHEnN05LZrhQhu_i9yWWhNuLMV8ilOJWIX9VC
 
Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join e⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠
 
You can support the podcast by:
1) Liking or following us:
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_Q
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQ
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968
 
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3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠
 
4) Support as a Patreon and gain access toover 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Robin Blackburn McBride talks about the differences between writing novels and poetry, why she chose to set River of Dreams in a 1920s mental institution, and what makes a character memorable to readers.

Robin Blackburn McBride is the author of two novels, Riverof Dreams and The Shining Fragments, and a book of poetry, In Green, all published by Guernica Editions. Her short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of North American literary magazines. Find Robin on Substack at Awakening Wonder.

In this episode, Robin reads from River of Dreams.
Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/river-of-dreams

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/⁠
 
You can support the podcast by:
1) Liking or following us:
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_Q
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQ
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968
 
2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠
 
3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠
 
4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Judith Kerman discusses how writing workshops help authors grow, the inspiration behind A Hard Frost—a poetry collection exploring aging, disability, resilience, and spirituality—and why she compares the critical mind to a golden retriever that can become either your best friend oryour worst enemy.

Judith Kerman is a poet and multi-artist (singer, performer,and crafter). She has published eleven books and chapbooks of poetry, most recently Definitions (Fomite Press, 2021), along with three books of translations. Committed to publishing and literary community building, she founded Earth’s Daughters magazine in 1971 and went on to establishMayapple Press in 1978, which she continues to run today.

Kerman earned her Ph.D. in English from the University ofBuffalo. As a Fulbright Scholar to the Dominican Republic in 2000, she translated the poetry and fiction of Dominican women and designed a website for the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, expanding access to underrepresented voicesand histories. After a career in university teaching and administration, she retired to Woodstock, NY, where she remains an active force in the literary world by overseeing Mayapple Press, coordinating online poetry workshops, andleading annual writers’ retreats.

In this episode, Judith reads from A Hard Frost.
Author website: https://judithkerman.wordpress.com/
Book link: https://www.broadstonebooks.com/shop/p/a-hard-frost-poetry-by-judith-kerman

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/⁠
 
You can support the podcast by:
1) Liking or following us:
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_Q
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQ
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968

2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠
 
3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠
 
4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Ed Seaward discusses the inspiration behind writing aGothic novel set in London, Ontario, whether marketing at book fairs can help authors reach new readers, and how plot keeps a mystery moving.

Ed Seaward’s novel London Gothic will be published by Dark Winter Press in October, 2026. His debut novel Fair was published in 2020 by The Porcupine’s Quill. Awarded the Silver Medal in Urban Fiction by the 2021 Independent Book Awards, Fair was also shortlisted for the Canadian Authors Association’s 2021 Fred Kerner Award. His screenplay, Mother Daughter Happiness was a finalist at the 2019 Pasadena International Film Festival.

Ed’s web publication Profiles From The Bright Side Of TheRoad features writers, actors, artists, environmentalists, family and friends. The Newfoundland family series, “It’s Sharpe to Stay Home”, was republished by Downhome Magazine. After 30 years in the corporate world, Ed now writes full-time. He and his wife Barb live in Georgetown, Ontario.

Ed’s previous Artsy Raven episode link (Ep 4): https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard/posts/ep4-writing-in-49613441

In this episode, Ed reads from London Gothic.
Book link: https://edseaward.com/london-gothic/
Author site: https://edseaward.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/⁠

You can support the podcast by:
1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts
2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠
3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠
4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard