On Creative Writing

Novelist Susan Wadds presents an audio essay for this episode of On Creative Writing. She discusses her debut novel, What the Living Do . The title is from a poem by Marie Howe, which addresses someone who has passed away, and tells what the living is doing with their day. Susan's novel centers on Brett Catlin, a woman navigating the complex terrain of grief, guilt, and a cancer diagnosis, all...

News! The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition is open! One creative writer has an opportunity to win one prize comprising: Coaching from coach and mentor Fiona Fenwick! A free full year of Brain.fm . Editing from Sheelagh Caygill . Q&A interview published with On Creative Writing.  Find The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition details here . Closing date: December 19, 2025. Show notes:...

In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host and poet Kim Mannix converses with award-winning Chinese-Canadian poet Natalie Lim to discuss Natalie's highly anticipated debut poetry collection, Elegy for Opportunity . Natalie shares the origins of her collection’s title, which draws inspiration from the Mars rover Opportunity, a solar-powered explorer that operated on Mars from 2004 until...

The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition Today's guest is Fiona Fenwick, a coach and mentor who coaches creative writers, too. Fiona is part of On Creative Writing's new competition: The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition, which delivers one prize including two-hours coaching from Fiona, and more! Check it out at the link above! Closing date: Nov. 4, 2025. ---- On Creative Writing 's Sheelagh Cayg...

This episode of On Creative Writing is for lovers of poetry everywhere! Beautifully talented poet Kim Fahner reads two poems from her new collection of poetry, The Pollination Field . The poems Kim has selected are "Man, Sleeping on the Living Room Floor" and "Attic Colony". Kim is a poet, novelist, playwright, and teacher based in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. She is chair of the...

Aaron Kreuter, author of the new novel Lake Burntshore , discusses his writing with Emma Woodhouse. He delves into the origins of his passion for storytelling and the path that led him to write his novel. Aaron opens up about the inspirations that shaped Lake Burntshore, a coming-of-age story set against the evocative backdrop of a Jewish summer camp. He discusses how his own experiences and obser...

On Creative Writing host Sheelagh Caygill talks with writer and academic James Cairns to explore the themes in his new and compelling collection of essays, In Crisis on Crisis . This book blends deeply personal memoir—particularly his account of living with and recovering from addiction—with rigorous academic analysis. James talks about how writing this fusion of personal narrative and scholarly i...

If you like the podcast and interviews with writers at OnCreativeWriting.com , perhaps consider making a tiny donation at  Ko-fi . Even $3 can help us keep the website and podcast alive! Audio essay from poet and novelist Kim Fahner On Creative Writing is extremely fortunate to publish an informative and engaging audio essay from acclaimed poet, playwright, novelist, and teacher Kim Fahner . Based...

Hello! If you are enjoying the podcast and our interviews at OnCreativeWriting.com please consider making a tiny donation towards website hosting fees us at Ko-fi . On Creative Writing host Sheelagh Caygill speaks with author and AI expert Paul Dettmann to explore how much of a threat generative AI is to creative writers. Paul brings a wealth of experience, tracing his journey from early AI resear...

British author Emma Marns shares how she came to write her novel The Walk in this audio essay. The Walk is about two girls who are sent to Bessborough, in Cork, Ireland. Bessborough is one of the many Irish Roman Catholic Mother and Baby homes which operated in Ireland from the mid-1900s until the 1990s. Emma recounts how while studying for an M.Phil at Trinity College, Dublin, she read an article...

Hollay Ghadery, founder of River Street Writing, gives a lesson in book publicity for seasoned and new authors of all genres in this conversation with Sheelagh Caygill. River Street Writing is an Ontario-based brand, publicity, and author support services business with more than two decades of experience. Hollay, senior publicist with the team, says book publicity is essential and delivers plenty...

In this engaging episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, author and editor Allister Thompson takes the mic in our Authors-Behind-The-Mic series. From North Bay, Ontario, Allister has edited for more than 30 years or so. Decades ago, his first attempt at writing a novel years ago was a negative experience. But when he pulled a dusty manuscript from a draw, he discovered it wasn't half bad,...

Canadian author Anthony Bidulka delivers an engaging and info-packed audio essay in this episode of On Creative Writing. He delves into his writing career in mystery and suspense novels and the creative process behind his new novel, Home Fires Burn - the latest installment in the Merry Bell series. Anthony gives lots of actionable tips as he discusses the challenges and rewards of crafting a compe...

Content trigger warning: This episode touches on topics including self-harm, alcoholism, drug use, and eating disorders. We understand that these topics may be distressing for some listeners. So please take care while listening, or you may decide not to listen. In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast , Sheelagh Caygill talks with acclaimed Iranian-Canadian multigenre writer Hollay Ghade...

On Creative Writing co-founders Emma Woodhouse and Sheelagh Caygill discuss Emma's experiences writing historical fiction, seeking an agent and acquiring a publisher in the UK. She also discusses her own imprint, Havisham and Webb. If you're a writer asking "How do you get a publishing contract?" this podcast provides a candid look at the dedication, commitment, and self-belief n...

On Creative Writing: Building community, exploring trends, and supporting writers Creative writer Sheelagh Caygill brings you the On Creative Writing podcast . On Creative Writing is here to talk about all things creative writing. This includes fiction in all forms, from poetry, prose, flash fiction, through to novels, novellas, screenplays, scripts, and creative nonfiction. In this debut episode,...