Better off Read

Laura chose two of her poems to talk about, you can read them here: ACTIVITIES by Laura Vincent, The Friday Poem in The Spinoff https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/12-07-2019/the-friday-poem-activities-by-laura-vincent/ Anecdotal happiness by Laura Vincent, The Friday Poem in The Spinoff https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/10-01-2020/the-friday-poem-anecdotal-happiness-by-laura-vincent/ Some of the things w...

To raise awareness, and hopefully some money, for the Wellington Rape Crisis Annual Appeal we live-streamed this episode of Better off Read on Sunday 2 May at 8.00 pm. I talked with M. Darusha Wehm about their work with a special focus on narrative and plot. I'm particularly excited to talk to Darusha about their new work The Qubit Zirconium a riotous science fantasy novel from the smash hit game,...

In the second episode in the Plot season of Elements, I talk to Dan Kois about plot and narrative and what it is to write it.  Some of the things we talk about are: You can read about Dan's novel Vintage Contemporaries here https://www.dankois.com/vintage-contemporaries We talk about Laurie Colwin's book Happy all the Time https://www.lauriecolwin.com/books Jenny Offill's Department of Speculation...

In the first episode in the Plot season of Elements, I talk to Ingrid Horrocks about plot and narrative and what it is to write it.  Some of the things we talk about are: Ingrid's new book is Where We Swim published by VUP https://vup.victoria.ac.nz/where-we-swim/ Ingrid wrote a great piece for The SpinOff about reading during a pandemic and you can read that here https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/28...

In the sixth episode in the Place season of Elements, I talk to Ann Shelton about place and what it is to write it.  Some of the things we talk about are: You can see and read about Ann’s work at her website  https://annshelton.com/ Including ‘The Witch’  https://annshelton.com/works/a-lovers-herbal A Lovers’ Herbal can be viewed on the Denny Dimin Gallery website here  —   https://dennydimingalle...

In the fifth episode in the Place season of Elements, I talk to Kerry Donovan Brown about place and what it is to write it.  Kerry's essay 'Queer Debris: A personal essay on queer love and loneliness in response to Sam Duckor-Jones’s People From The Pit Stand Up and Chris Tse’s he’s so MASC.' https://pantograph-punch.com/posts/queer-debris

In the forth episode in the Place season of Elements, I talk to Charlie Pearson, Helen Lehndorf and Marolyn Krasner about place and what it is to write it. This episode was recording the morning after there incredible show From the 4410 to the 4412. Snails: Artist run spaces is an amazing place in Palmerston North you can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/snailsartistrunspace/...

In the third episode in the Place season of Elements, Pip Adam talks to Rose Lu about place and what it is to write it.  All Who Live on Islands by Rose Lu which is published by VUP https://vup.victoria.ac.nz/all-who-live-on-islands/ The Radio New Zealand adaptation of Rose's book All Who Live on Islands https://www.rnz.co.nz/collections/readings/all-who-live-on-islands-by-rose-lu The Kāpiti Write...

Our first season of Elements we talk about Place and what it is to write where. In this episode Pip Adam talks to Victor Rodger about Club Paradiso. https://better-read.com/2021/01/20/ep-88-victor-rodger/

Our first season of Elements we talk about Place and what it is to write where. In this episode Pip Adam talks to Michaela Keeble about a set of juvenile pāua shell from the beach where she lives. https://better-read.com/2021/01/17/ep-87-michaela-keeble/

Announcing the Elements series, four seasons throughout the year, each focused on a particular element: Place, Plot, Point and Character.  https://better-read.com/2021/01/03/announcing-the-elements-series/

Pip Adam talks to writer, editor and podcaster Dan Kois about Denis Johnson's 2011 novella Train Dreams   Find out more on our website: https://better-read.com/  

Pip Adam talks to Caitlin Smith about her new album You Have Reached Your Destination by Brave Caitlin Smith's Imaginary Band   Caitlin choose two songs - Jesca Hoop's 'Shoulder Charge' and Caitlin's song 'Another Goodbye' You can listen to both songs on the Better off Read website: https://better-read.com/  

This is a recording of an event that took place at Unity Books on 14 October 2020. Thanks to Eamonn Marra for the recording.

This is a recording of a live event held at Unity Books on 23 September 2020. Brannavan Gnanalingam talks about his new novel Sprigs and Pip Adam talks about her new novel Nothing to See. Writer Kirsten McDougall chairs the conversation.

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today we showcase the work Sudha Rao created in response to the series. https://better-read.com

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Cassandra Barnett and Luke Buda talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects. To hear these sounds and for information about how to submit responses to exercises to our Showcase can be found on our website https://better-read.com

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Anna Smaill and David Long talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects. To hear these sounds and for information about how to submit responses to exercises to our Showcase can be found on our website https://better-read.com

For the final episode of the Sound Series I'm hoping to put together a showcase of work created in response to the exercises I've been offering throughout the series. I'd love to receive your work by Thursday 24 September You can send your responses to me at: betterreadnz@gmail.com Or if you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me here. If none of the exercises appeal, you could also...

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Kerry Ann Lee and Jackson Nieuwland talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects. To hear these sounds and for information about how to submit responses to exercises to our Showcase can be found on our website https://better-read.com

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Carl Shuker and Simon Sweetman talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects. Carl chose the live version of the song 'Work' by Lou Reed and John Cale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdl5fJ-c_lA And Simon chose the Schnell Fenster song 'Whisper' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2...

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Brannavan Gnanalingam and Tokerau Wilson talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects. Brannavan chose the sound of rain on a roof and Tokerau chose the sound of paper - with a twist. To hear these sounds and for information about how to submit responses to exercises to our Show...

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Sinead Overbye and Charlotte Forrester talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects.   Sinead chooses 'Give it To Me' by Motte https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJc6FW0PXQM Charlotte chooses 'Seekers Who Are Lovers' by the Cocteau Twins https://open.spotify.com/track/6YEAWiv3msB1S...

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Eamonn Marra and Cooki Aimee M talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects.   Eamonn choses a mystery song Cooki Aimee M chooses a terrifying sound we hear often. To hear these sounds and for information about how to submit responses to exercises to our Showcase can be found on...

In the Sound Series I’ll be talking to 18 writers, musicians and other artists about how sound features in their work. Today Ruby Solly and Chris Tse talk to Pip Adam about two sound objects.   Ruby chose 'Koukou' off her amazing album Pōneke which you can listen to and buy on Bandcamp   Chris chose the sound of washing rice, which he recorded and you can listen to on our webpage - or on the podca...