The Pleasure of the Text

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the raw, surreal, and unforgettable world of Cruddy by Lynda Barry. Part coming-of-age, part fever dream, Barry’s cult classic is a dark, jagged tale told through the scrawled notebook of a teenage girl named Roberta. We unpack its haunting narrative, twisted humour, and graphic novel-style illustrations—exploring how trauma, truth, and storytelling bleed in...

For this episode it was our utmost pleasure to interview author DC Frost about her debut novel, A Punishing Breed, published by Red Hen Press. DC Frost is a second-generation Angelino. For almost twenty years, she has worked as a fundraiser at a small private liberal arts college in the heart of Los Angeles, and before that PBS and Variety. Denise has published several literary fiction short stori...

Here at the Pleasure of the Text, many a time has the topic of translation come up. In this episode we consider the art of translation further, and take a deep dive into the different translations of Albert Camus's, The Outsider.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeN...

And we are back! At the turn of the new year we sat down with beloved friend and fellow writer Patrick (Writing Solutions) and discussed our writing goals, and solutions, to help us progress forward in 2024. In this episode, Patrick has returned for a 6-month update on the writing solutions we set out at the start of the year and we went. This is one of those rare episodes, where the quality of th...

A long time in the coming (and the making); review of Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Two books and two movies (and more), in this episode at The Pleasure of the Text, we talk about the different translations of Solaris, and compare the two.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOo...

Another fun episode here at the Pleasure of the Text, where talk about our favourite (and worse) book recommendations.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPoftheT Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram....

"The Darkness is a mouth, and it consumes all." Our first book review for 2024 is Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, a haunting, thrilling novel full of horror, set in Argentina and spanning the decades of brutal military dictatorship (the Dirty War) and its aftermath.  Translated from the Spanish to the English by Megan McDowell, Mariana loosens the tight prose found in her short stories (Th...

In the first episode of the year, we talk about reading and writing goals, and strategies on how to increase reading and writerly no matter what your current situation is. Enjoy!  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook...

Spoilers Alert!! What an amazing book to end the year on! Each short story in this collection of eleven is a stand alone piece, yet each is more than the sum of its parts, twisting together into a sinister, tangled, spider's web. Beware the carrots that grow in the shape of human hands, splattered tomatoes' on a highway that pop like human heads under car tyres, and a tiger-skinned coat that leave...

Ambling thoughts and meandering words are the ilk of the writer. In this podcast, we explore new and interesting topics happening in the writing and publishing space, including; AI finishing people's work, creating continuations, ownership dilemmas and more. This is a new format we've explored, so comment below if you enjoyed this episode of The Pleasure of the Text. As always, if you like our vid...

Another month, another book review. In this episode, we look at 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall. Frowned upon, banned under the Obscenity Act in England, and then lost into obscurity, Hall's 'The Well of Loneliness' deserves far more renown than it currently receives. We hope this podcast raises awareness for Hall, and her other works. FYI: Spoilers alert in this review! If you like our...

Within the realm of self-suppression and writers destroying their own words, Kafka, Nikolai Gogol, James Joyce and Proust always make the lists. But have you ever heard of Rosemary Tonks, Ann Petry, Dante Rossetti, Ottessa Moshfegh or Sylvia Plath destroying their work? Watch our latest episode to learn more! As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure...

The time has gone with a flash! It feel unbelievable to say that we have been podcasting (and entertaining) our believed audience for one whole year! In this episode we talk about the milestones, the struggles, the lessons and the triumphs. Please enjoy this very special episode from The Pleasure of the Text!  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasur...

In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of the different publishing options available to authors. We also look at the journey of publishing for notable authors, such as: Jane Austen; Beatrix Potter; E.L. James; Andy Wier, and more. Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the T...

Another month, another book review. In this episode, we look at 'Under the Skin' by Michel Faber. Most famously known for his book, 'The Crimson Petal and the White', 'Under the Skin' is Michel Faber's debut novel, a wonderful blend of sci-fi, thriller, and literary genius. We loved this book and hope you will too. FYI: Spoilers alert in this review! Show Notes can be viewed here . If you like our...

In this podcast episode, we use the act of translation as a technique/device to develop "The Reticence of Lady Anne" by Saki. This method forces the reader to produce a 'slow reading', to get to the heart of how each word, chosen meticulously, has the ability to change and enhance the work as a whole. To join in on the exercise, you can download the "The Reticence of Lady Anne"  here. To see how G...

We are incredibly grateful and fortunate to have a long-time friend and fellow writer join us for this podcast episode; Shahn. As a dedicated writer, she is continuously developing her craft and finesse in the creative writing process. Shahn has much to share on what happens after one has finished their manuscript, namely, receiving substantive feedback from a trusted creative writing group, to en...

In this episode, we continue our discussion on the impact of literary censorship, sensitivity readers and publishers, as they stand, on the future of fiction.  This is part two of our two-part mini-series on censorship. You can watch Literary Censorship - Part One here: https://youtu.be/Gq7vR7Y4OBc As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Tex...

In this episode, we talk about the impact of literary censorship, sensitivity readers and publishers, as they stand, on the future of fiction.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPoftheT Follow us on Instagram...

In this episode, we explore the books that have been banned throughout history (and even now).  Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text.  As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPoftheT Follow...

Read apart, reviewed together. One Episode, two reviews. A plot twist they didn't see coming... Wrapping up our month of romance, we review romance novels Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry.  Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text. 

We are back, baby! In this week's episode, we delve into the topic of sex writing; what makes a good sex scene, how you can win awards for bad sex (writing), and how to practice good sex (writing) techniques. This was an absolute pleasure to record, with innuendos around every corner, so please enjoy this podcast! If you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of th...

In this episode, we delve deeper into our creative writing craft and work together to create the first kiss between our protagonists. WE WANT YOUR INPUT! Together, Gareth and I have created the scaffold of the first kiss between our main characters, Violet, a TV Producer Intern on the set of Beaue and Belles, and Gabriel, the Florist, who supplied and sets up the flowers for the show. To help us d...

In this week's episode, we delve into the man, the legend, the creator of our podcast's namesake (The Pleasure of the Text), Roland Barthes. 

At the Pleasure of the Text, we are theme-ing up the month of February! Whether you loathe or love, well, LOVE, in this episode, we talk about the history of the romance genre, some of its tropes, and where the future of the genre is headed. Enjoy!