Beatriz Copello, author of No Salami Fairy Bread drops by to read from and talk about her newest poetry book. We talk about such things as the linguistic quality of the book, its structure, overall themes including migration, memoir, feminism, coming-of-age, the use of humour, why she chose verse, her new fantasy work-in-progress, and lots more.

The book can be purchased here: https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/2905/Beatriz+Copello+%2F+No+Salami+Fairy+Bread

Award winning filmmaker Samuel Lucas Allen talks about their new short film CUT. We talk about how the film came together as a project, the extraordinary cinematography, on working with their father, Richard James Allen (who has been on the show several times to talk about his own work), and the father-son relationship in general, Judaism, guilt, toxic masculinity, the acting team (including a well-behaved chicken), the film score by composer Sam Weiss, what's exciting them right now and lots more.

Samuel's website: https://www.samuellucasallen.com/

Sydney premiere of CUT at JIFF: https://www.jiff.com.au/films/2023-shorts#

Stills (including the one we talked about at the Sydney Jewish Museum) and other worldwide showings of CUT: http://physicaltv.com.au/cut-2023/

Esther Ottaway talks about and reads from her new book She Doesn't Seem Autistic. Through a number of poems, Esther talks about many of the key themes, rhythms, structures and concepts in the book, including masking, humour, her use of animals, on reclaiming clinical labels, the relationship between art and advocacy, and lots more.

Find out more about Esther at:

Richard James Allen joins me to read from and talk about his latest book Text Messages from the Universe. We talk about many things including the book's deeply spiritual themes, its links with The Tibetan book of the Dead, the unique format of the book and how it relates to its matching film, what's exciting him at the moment, and lots more. Video version can be seen here: https://youtu.be/0lKl8XXydfs

You can get hold of Text Messages from the Universe (at its ridiculously low price of $10) from: https://flyingislandspocketpoets.com.au/product/text-messages-from-the-universe-by-richard-james-allen/

For more about the film Text Messages from the Universe (available for screenings and readings, email [email protected]) visit: http://physicaltv.com.au/text-messages-from-the-universe/

For more about Breaking Plates (film in post production by Karen Pearlman: tax deductible donations gratefully received via Documentary Australia): https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/breaking-plates/

For more about CUT (film by Samuel Lucas Allen: coming soon) visit: http://physicaltv.com.au/cut-2023/

For the full suite of Richard's many projects, visit his website The Physical TV Company: http://physicaltv.com.au/

Soil scientist Alisa Bryce reads from and talks about her book Grounded. In this conversation we cover such things as how the book came about, Alisa's deep love of soil and both how important it is to all aspects of our lives, but also how fun and interesting it is, the importance of broad-reaching science communication and its relationship to academia, soil and the microbiome, why we have only mapped 2% of the underground world, on the comfort of how “the human story in the soil ends about 5-19 metres down”, the many chapters that might make it into her next book, her inspiration, and lots more.

Find more about Grounded and Alisa at: alisabryce.com.au

The Digsloo (fantastic children's poem/story by Alisa, referenced in our conversation): https://thedigsloo.com/

Mary Roach (major influence referenced in our conversation): https://www.maryroach.net/

Alan Fyfe joins us to read from and talk about his latest novel T, which shortlisted for the T.A.G Hungerford Prize (Australia) and the Chaffinch Press Aware Prize (Ireland), and was recently was shortlisted in The WA Premier's Prize for an Emerging Writer.  Alan also reads from and discusses his debut collection, G-d, Sleep, and Chaos, forthcoming from Gazebo Books in 2024.

Find out more about Alan and his work at Alan's website: https://alanfyfe.com

Purchase a copy of T: https://alanfyfe.com/purchase-t-a-novel

Contact Alan (as per his request!): https://alanfyfe.com/contact

Ashley Kalagian Blunt joins us to read from and talk about her new thriller Dark Mode. We talk about such things as her research, the Dark Web, her protagonist Reagan Carson, her fabulous plant store setting Voodoo Lily and dark flowers, what she's reading now, her work-in-progress (hint it's another thriller), and lots more. 

Ashley's website: ⁠https://www.ashleykalagianblunt.com/⁠

Click here for more information on Dark Mode, the free book club pack, or to take Ashley up on her offer to come talk to your club:  ⁠https://www.ashleykalagianblunt.com/dark-mode⁠

James and Ashley Stay at Home podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/james-and-ashley-stay-at-home/id1514919350⁠

In this wide-reading and humorous interview, Irish poet, academic and journalist Oisín Breen reads from and talks about his new poetry book Lilies on the Deathbed of Étaín & Other Poems with Simon Whitby Brown. 

Find out more about Oisin here: https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/oisin_breen

By a copy of Lilies on the Deathbed of Étaín & Other Poems here: https://beirbuapress.com/2023/01/01/lilies-on-the-deathbed-of-etain-and-other-poems-by-oisin-breen/

Find out more about Simon Whitby Brown and his famous moustache here: https://twitter.com/lordhandlebar?lang=en

Meera Atkinson reads from her book Traumata and talks about her work, the ongoing relevance of Traumata, the difficulty and the necessity of the hybrid form,  on language, blood, the patriarchy, beauty and its commodification, the power of engagement with the past - personally and collectively, literature, poetry and much more.

Find out more about Meera and her work at her website: https://www.meeraatkinson.com

Two recent publications of Meera's:

http://cordite.org.au/scholarly/writing-threat-and-trauma/?fbclid=IwAR0_Jw8QBcYTnoamuqiNNUt5_E2XTb58_Ontnasx4kGspZasq81mAF4ZR6w

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-reclaiming-artist-musician-anita-lane-from-the-despised-label-of-muse-188815

Meera Atkinson reads from her book Traumata and talks about her work, the ongoing relevance of Traumata, the difficulty and the necessity of the hybrid form,  on language, blood, the patriarchy, beauty and its commodification, the power of engagement with the past - personally and collectively, literature, poetry and much more. 

Find out more about Meera and her work at her website: https://www.meeraatkinson.com

Two recent publications of Meera's: 

http://cordite.org.au/scholarly/writing-threat-and-trauma/?fbclid=IwAR0_Jw8QBcYTnoamuqiNNUt5_E2XTb58_Ontnasx4kGspZasq81mAF4ZR6w

https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-reclaiming-artist-musician-anita-lane-from-the-despised-label-of-muse-188815