The AudPod

As a finale for Audreys Books' Golden Anniversary, Bree interviews Steve and Sharon Budnarchuk, the proud owners of the store, and their daughter and general manager, Kelly Dyer.

Listen to their discussion on the origins of Audreys, the trials of independant bookselling both past and present, what the future may hold, and how they've served their community for the past 50 years.

In this episode, Bree interviews two executives from the University of Alberta's Creative Writing Club: President Sam (he/she/they) and VP Communications Breanne (she/they).

The CrW provides a social space for writers from all walks of life looking for a place to write, critique, and share their work with other students on campus. The club publishes an annual anthology that's written, edited, and produced by student and alumni volunteers.

Listen to their discussion about the club's online reinvigoration , the creation of their newest upcoming anthology, and how the club is fostering a welcoming enviroment for student writers.

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!

In this episode, Bree interviews Chyana Marie Sage (she/her), a Cree, Métis, and Salish memoirist, journalist, essayist, poet, content creator, public speaker, creative writing teacher, mentor, and screenwriter. Her essay "Soar" won first place in the 2021 Edna Staebler Essay Contest, and then won the Silver Medal in the National Magazine Awards. Her debut memoir, SOFT AS BONES (2025), examines intergenerational trauma, hope, and healing.

Listen for their conversation about the narrative structure of water, the process of writing memoir, and tales from Chyana's storied career since moving away from Edmonton.

In this episode, Bree interviews Lisa Martin (she/her): author of A STORY CAN BE TOLD ABOUT PAIN (2025), BELIEVING IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING SAVED (2017), ONE CROW SORROW (2008), and the scholarly CREATIVE WRITING IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION (2025). She also co-edited HOW TO EXPECT WHAT YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING (2013), a collection of essays on parenthood, pregnancy, and loss.

Lisa is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at MacEwan University, and her work has won a National Magazine Award for Personal Journalism and the Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry. She was a finalist for the Robert Kroetsch City of Edmonton Book Prize in 2018.

Together they discuss the launch of Lisa's latest work, themes of dereliction and reclaimation, teaching creative writing, and the 19 year journey to create this novel.

In this episode, Bree interviews Kathryn (Gwun-Yeen) Lennon (she/her): poet, editor, and publisher. Kathryn has publsihed poetry and prose in a variety of venues, including The Polyglot and Herizons. Along with Kyla Pascal, she is one of the co-creators of Hungry Zine.

Together, they discuss Kathryn's essay in BACK WHERE I CAME FROM (2024), poetry in translation, the intersections of food and culture, and organizing a book fair.

In this episode, Bree interviews Janice MacDonald (she/her), author of the Randy Craig Mysteries series that concluded with Eye of the Beholder (2018). Her latest novel, Victor and Me in Paris (2024), is the first installment of the Imogene Durant series. Janice won the Exporting Alberta Award and the Canadian's Children's Book Centres seal of approval for The Ghouls' Night Out (1998), her children's Halloween chapter book.

Together, they discuss writing mystery novels in retirement, carving a place for genre fiction in academia, and travelling for research.

In this episode of the AudPod, Bree interviews Wendy McGrath (she/her), a Métis poet and author of A REVISION OF FORWARD (2015), SANTA ROSA (2011), North East (2014), Broke City (2019) RECURRING FICTIONS (2002), and co-author of the upcoming The Beauty of Vultures (2025). They discuss Wendy's work that draws on working class experiences, the prairie gothic, as well as her involvement with The Olive Reading Series, and her achievement as the winner of the inaugural Prairie Grindstone Prize.

It's spooky season, my pretties! This month Bree interviews Premee Mohamed (she/her): a Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora award-winning author of BUTCHER OF THE FOREST (2024), NO ONE WILL COME BACK FOR US (2023), AND WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU TONIGHT (2021), and BENEATH THE RISING (2020), among many others. Premee is also the 2024 Writer-in-Residence at the Edmonton Public Library and Assistant Editor of Escape Pod.

They're joined by fellow Audreys bookseller, Mika (they/he), to talk about horror, authorial intent, genre mixing, and if there's something wrong with us for enjoying it so much.

In this episode, Bree welcomes Rayanne Haines (she/her), a poet, writer, Assisstant Professor, and podcaster. Rayanne is the host of the Crow Reads Podcast, President for the League of Canadian Poets, director of She, The River (2020), author of the GUARDIAN SERIES, STAINED WITH THE COLOURS OF SUNDAY MORNING (2018), TELL THE BIRDS YOUR BODY IS NOT A GUN (2021) and the upcoming WHAT KIND OF DAUGHTER? (2024). They discuss Rayanne's career as an arts organizer, the poetics of grief and motherhood, and the burden of care.

CW: This episode mentions suicide and suicidal ideation.

Canadian Suicide Crisis Helpline: 988

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Hope for Wellness for Indigenous Peoples: 1-855-242-3310

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366