Licensed Poetics

[Split into spoiler-free and spoiler sections] In LP’s first ever TV club, Derek and Fung-Ling dissect the TV show that everybody is talking about, Severance, created by Dan Erickson. They talk about the show’s pacing, themes, acting, set design, and plot, while relating it to their own experiences working in corporate jobs. This episode is about Season 1. Chapters 00:00 Music 02:14 Synopsis 02:38...

LP sits down with Kwame, a friend from FBi Radio, and discuss Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. HP Lovecraft advanced the comic horror genre, but also left some racist and terrible impact on literature. Does this new take on 1950s America subvert Lovecraftian racism? Join Fung-Ling, Derek, and Kwame in their very nerdy discussion. Support LP on Buy Me a Coffee! Find Kwame @kwameslusher Chapters 00:0...

In this casual episode, LP takes a break from book clubs and reminisce on an author who has a special place in many people’s hearts, John Green. BFL and Derek dive into his novels, podcasts, educational videos and philanthropic work, after they give an update on their chaotic writing life. Support LP on Buy Me a Coffee! chapters 00:00 Intro 00:11 Writing update 09:50 John Green's work and influenc...

In line with LP’s new branding as the BEST book podcast for writers, Derek and BFL discuss The Art of the Novel by the patron saint of literary wankers, Czech-French author Milan Kundera. He has had an enormous impact on BFL’s writing, and maybe even transmitted parts of himself to her, oh my god. Meanwhile, Derek has a love hate relationship with this book, and shares his delightful meta spirals....

Derek’s best friend and ex-landlord Jeremy recommended The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu, the translator of The Three Body Problem, so of course LP had to read it. What did they think? Who, if anyone, would they recommend it to? Finally, they also react to some truly unhinged Goodreads reviews. PS, please, Ken, I want to be your friend. Support LP here Chapters 00:00 Intro 09:18 Five word summary 26:0...

Sound expert Ivy Xu joins BFL for a book club episode on The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Previously, Ivy collaborated with LP on ‘A Literary Podcast Origin Story’ for All The Best podcast by FBi Radio, and she brings her experience in video game audio to her book club insights. BFL has read this book before, does she still love it on the second read? Disclaimer: this episode was recorded in Dec...

Discussing wanker aesthetics and toxic soft boys, LP opens the first episode of 2025 by firmly positioning the itself as the book podcast for writers. BFL followed up on end-of-year promises to read Nick Hornby and Murakami, whereas Derek shares his love for music references in literature. Then, both are very outraged by reviews attacking their favourite books on Goodreads. Support LP on Buy Me a...

Use the Chapters to navigate this episode! It's the end of 2024, Derek and BFL look back on their year of books and art. Derek drops some opinions about Colleen Hoover and Murakami that will offend most people in the world. BFL talks about a hormone-induced nervous breakdown and (surprisingly) passes a Turing test. Thank you for your support this year! link Works mentioned Convenience Store Woman...

This week BFL and Derek read a classic American novel by Truman Capote. It’s a very writerly novel, so of course the hosts both loved it. BFL also dishes out some strong opinions about a famous romance novel, meanwhile Derek’s epic musical fail can be forgiven because he’s just moved countries. Support LP on Buy Me a Coffee! Link here Chapters 00:00 Music 01:12 Why Derek picked this book 06:30 Let...

BFL and Derek face off in an epic game of Quotes Off: how well do they actually know their favourite books? Also included in this episode is some snippets of conversation with Angela Wu, a talented comic artist based in Singapore. If you are looking for recommendations to get into comic books and graphic novels, look no further! Follow Angela on Instagram @li_vermin_il Support LP on Buy Me a Coffe...

BFL claims to love The Catcher in the Rye. Derek claims to love Community by Dan Harmon. But can they identify lines from the book/show? Or have they been pretending to be fans this entire time? Also, Marlene returns for another bookclub about a woman falling down a hole. The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada is the best book for unemployed people! Collab with All The Best by FBi Radio ‘ A Literary Podcast O...

BFL read his poem during lockdown and has wanted to meet him ever since - it’s the incredible Chinese Australian poet Eric Jiang! In this very spicy episode, Derek talks about ‘tickling the yellow’ and his 4am emergency book buying advice; BFL categorises some of her favourites books into Incest, Racism, and Misogyny; and Eric shares his very hot take on poetry readings. Stick around for the bloop...

This week, BFL chats with Angela Wu, a comic artist based in Singapore! We hit you with Hamilton horror stories, opinions on Lord Andy (Andrew Lloyd Webber), Phantom of the Opera, and Ursula K Le Guin! Angela is contesting Derek’s title as LP’s resident TV person with her riveting review of the Australian show Wolf Like Me. BFL announces her latest on-screen crush. Find Angela on Instagram @li_ver...

In this Singapore edition of Licensed Poetics book club, BFL and Marlene discuss Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, the perfect book for misfits, newbie readers and experienced readers! In the new section LP story time, BFL shares a bookish wedding she went to! Marlene has found the literary scene in SG already? Read Marlene’s Substack: Link Support LP on Buy Me a Coffee! Link Theophilus Kw...

The makers of the indie short film Looking For Haberfield sit down with Licensed Poetics and talk about their process. Also, they answer one of Derek’s burning questions: what did he miss out on by not going to film school? Follow the film @lookingforhaberfield Support Licensed Poetics on Buy Me a Coffee! Books Mentioned White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky Gilmore Girls (TV) Cleopatra and Frankenste...

You know you’ve found a literary nerd podcast when the hosts prefer reading the script over watching the play/film. Licensed Poetics is collaborating with All The Best Podcast! Phoebe and Isabella share their reading update and how they get involved with FBi radio. BFL and Derek are writing a story for All The Best! Stay tuned! Guests: Phoebe Adler-Ryan, Isabella Lee Follow All The Best on Instagr...

This episode is perfect for literary nerds. Writer Tina Huang chats to BFL about lowering the perceived entry requirement to poetry, her publish writing, and glaciers in New Zealand! Follow Tina on Instagram @tennisjock http://tinahuang.com.au/ Follow LP on Instagram @licensedpoetics Buy me a coffee! link Tina's work On the Verge https://www.tinahuang.com.au/writing/on-the-verge Phantom feelin...

LP bookclub returns! Interim host Derek chats to BFL about My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, the biggest title in the very popular unhinged women literary fiction genre. One host loved this book, the other not so much. Does it have anything to do with how self-destructive they are? Things get a little personal. Buy Me a coffee! link here Follow LP on Instagram @licensedpoetics Bo...

A real Hollywood star joins LP in the studio!! Eva Chen talks to BFL and Derek about acting, auditioning, improv, standup, and her experience working on set for Marvel's Shang-Chi! BFL met her at a reading event and has since been convinced that actors should always do the reading, never the writers. This is also Derek's first episode as LP's interim host. Exciting! Find Eva on Instagr...

LP is going out-of-studio! In this very special episode recorded between Shanghai and the Blue Mountains, a few recurring guests and new voices share their recent reads! We talk about a book that should have remained a Twitter feed instead of being published, Derek's penchant for disappearing because he's totally fictional, and the fact that meaning is awesome and Abby loves it. Guests in...

The first ever Licensed Poetics book club is a roaring success. Recurring guests Anya and Derek join BFL in the studio to discuss The Vegetarian by South Korean writer Han Kang, winner of the Man Booker Prize. This stunningly original book asks important questions: what does the pursuit of art justify? What takes away women’s autonomy? What type of tree would you like to be? Anya: @lasagnevallenti...

In BFL's first episode since going solo, she delivers a personal message. Then, she and the guest Joe, a wonderful writer and journalist, delve into In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, discussing perspective and narrative voice. Joe then shares his experience organising grassroots arts initiative like the live music and poetry hub Debaser Events. BFL dreams about being a historian. Fol...

Angelic harp music opens a very special episode - Achim’s last as the host of Licensed Poetics. Ying, a dear friend of LP’s, is a spoken word poet and musician. She joins LP in the studio to discuss discovering your inner artist and activist, showing up for what’s beautiful, and naming your instruments (or in BFL’s case, her rolling pin) after your favourite artist. Books mentioned Politics and th...

BFL giddily chats with Claire, a writer whose work she has admired for some time, about reading widely, editing fiction, and note-taking for TV. This episode is a must-listen for any aspiring artists out there. Also, please do not be butthurt if an editor makes a suggestion or a critic writes a negative review. Wow. Follow Claire on insta @clairecao https://clairecao.com.au Follow LP on insta @lic...

This week, Licensed Poetics is joined by Malena, a wonderful Argentinian reader, writer, and songwriter. They talk about a famous Australian book about parent-children relationship, before BFL discusses misogyny in science fiction. Malena shares the book that she carries in her bag everywhere, and talks about being an artist as a way of life. Find Malena on Instagram @malenafiorito and @nopiensope...