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

Jessica Rao explains why she transitioned from journalism tofiction, what drew her to explore the 1990s in Nowhere to Go but Everywhere, and how observing people helps her create authentic characters.

Jessica Rao is an award-winning journalist and mediaprofessional who has held contributor roles at CNBC and Gannett and overseen communications for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to her media career, she is the Vice President of the White Plains Library Foundation and she hosts and produces literary events. She lives outside of New York City with her family.

In this episode, Jessica reads from Nowhere to Go butEverywhere.

Author site: https://jessicarao.com/books

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

Ryan Douglass talks about writing across different genres,the seasonal treats he bakes, and what makes a horror story unforgettable.

Ryan Douglass is the author of young adult horror novel The Taking of Jake Livingston, a New York Times bestseller and an ALA Rainbow Book List Pick; The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay, a reimagining of The Great Gatsby set in 1920s Harlem; and Night of Madness, a collaboration with the company behind Clown in a Cornfield. His work explores the ways young people fight to survive in hostile worlds. He lives in Atlanta with his dog and spends his free time baking ambitious desserts and scoping out true crime documentaries.

In this episode, Ryan reads from Night of Madness.

Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Night-of-Madness/Ryan-Douglass/9781665983044
Author website: https://www.ryandouglasswriter.com/night-of-madness

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/⁠

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

Alex Sanchez discusses how his writing and the LGBTQ+landscape have evolved over the past 25 years, why he continues to take writing workshops, and the deliberate decision to keep death out of the Rainbow Boys series.

Alex Sanchez spent almost fifteen years working with youth.He is the author of the teen novels Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Bait, The God Box, Getting It, Rainbow Boys, Rainbow High, and Rainbow Road, as well as the Lambda Award–winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say.Lambda Literary honored Alex with a Jim Duggins, PhD Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize. He lives in Thailand and Hollywood, Florida. Visit him at AlexSanchez.com.

In this episode, he reads from Rainbow Boys.
Author website: https://www.alexsanchez.com/rainbow-boys

Rainbow Boys 25th anniversary special edition book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Rainbow-Boys/Alex-Sanchez/Rainbow-Boys/9798347101771

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

Beck Kubrick shares their path to becoming a graphic novelist, the power of telling horror through women’s perspectives, and why aspiring writers should trust their instincts and embrace their authentic voices.

Beck Kubrick is an award-winning writer and cartoonistliving in Manchester, UK. They like stories about terrible girls and thinking about the apocalypse. They have worked with Cartoon Network, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, and more. Dead Girls is their debut graphic novel as author-illustrator. You can visit them online at BeckKubrick.com or@BeckKubrick.

There’s no reading in this episode, as it’s hard to do areading with a graphic novel.

Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Dead-Girls/Beck-Kubrick/9781665959810

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

Luke Marston explores the origins of Indigenous war canoe racing, the differences between war canoe and outriggerracing, and the challenges of bringing powerful stories to life through a documentary series.
 
Luke Marston is a Stz'uminus First Nation artist, contemporary Coast Salish master carver, filmmaker, and producer. He is the co-founder of Racing Waters Productions and producer ofthe documentary series Racing Waters, which explores Indigenous war canoe and outrigger racing and the communities connected to the sport.
 
Racing Waters takes viewers into the exhilarating worldof Indigenous war canoe and outrigger racing through the eyes of the paddlers of the Pacific Northwest and the Island Brave Canoe Club from the Snuneymuxw First Nation. More than a sports series, it is an intimate portrait of a community where every stroke carries generations of history, responsibility, and pride. The series follows paddlers as they compete in the fiercely competitive Pacific Northwest war canoe circuit while simultaneously pursuing opportunities in outrigger racing on the international stage. 
 
Season one of Racing Waters was shot across British Columbia, with locations including Agassiz, Cultus Lake, Comox, Musqueam, Saanich, North Vancouver, Cowichan Bay,Nanaimo and Cumberland featured. Other shooting locations include Rio De Janeiro & Niteroi Brazil, Calgary, Alberta and Lummi, Washington. 
 
Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/racing_waters/
 
Racing Waters will officially premiere Sunday, September 13, 2026, on APTN.

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 toover 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard