Shows
The Maple Moon Podcast#8: The Gold Star Effect ⭐️In this episode I discuss the issues with writing competitions, why I don’t care to follow them, why I no longer enter poetry prizes, and the culture surrounding writing prizes. Mentioned: - Mslexia’s Instagram Post- Hallowe’en Ghazal by Kit Buchan- We Blue Stars by Courtenay Schembri Gray- The Poetry Review- Diane Seuss - Full Fathom Five by Sylvia PlathCurrently Reading:- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark- The Golden...
2025-11-1934 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#7: Bright Stupid ConfettiMentioned: - The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath (ed. Ted Hughes) - Sylvia (dir. Christine Jeffs, 2003)- The Letters of Ted Hughes (ed. Christopher Reid)- Winter Landscape, With Rooks by Sylvia Plath- Bucolics by Sylvia Plath- Faun by Sylvia Plath- Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark- Sylvia Plath in Devon: A Year’s Turning by Elizabeth Sigmund and Gail Crowther- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath...
2025-11-1231 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#6: The Way We Live NowIn this episode I discuss the problems with Arts Council funding, rewarding mediocrity, and the privileges of those with all the power in the writing world. I urge all my fellow writers listening to hear this message and speak out on the corruption going on in the arts. If we don’t fight for what we deserve then there will be nobody left other than those who hold all the cards. ‘I have no patience with the pretensions of would-be poets who contrive by toadying and underground influences to get their volumes placed on every drawing-room table.’ —The Way...
2025-10-2431 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#5: Ghost Cries Under the StageIn this episode I talk you through my paranormal experiences. As someone who has had plenty, I find it fascinating to talk about. I enjoy reading about other paranormal experiences; especially when it comes to literature. Mentioned:- Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Act I, Scene V)- Two Girls One Ghost - The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll (fit the second. the bellman’s speech)Support The Maple Moon Podcast:- Ko-Fi- PayPal- Amazon Wishlist* For all pr...
2025-10-1538 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#4: Neurodivergence is a Solar System 🪐In this episode, I discuss my experiences as an autistic person seeking diagnosis. Recent events have only made it more important to speak out about neurodivergence. I recently wrote a Facebook account about my own experiences; something I have been relatively quiet about. I wanted my family and friends to understand what it means to be neurodivergent. But most importantly, I wanted everyone to understand that those of us on the spectrum are NOT diseased people who need curing.Mentioned:- The Machinist (dir. Brad Anderson), 2004- Ghazal: Mono America by Courtenay Schembri...
2025-10-0832 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#3: Who's Afraid of Daphne du Maurier?In this episode, I discuss the short story, my own experiences of writing them and review After Midnight: a collection of Daphne du Maurier’s short stories, published by Virago Press. - Pain, Parties, Work by Elizabeth Winder- After Midnight by Daphne du Maurier- Virago Press- Rebecca, dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1940)- The Signalman by Charles Dickens- The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster- Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille- Where Flowers Give Birth to Sno...
2025-10-0130 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#2: The Dream Was Always YouIn this episode, I discuss the concept of recording dreams, read from my journal, discuss my long distance relationship experience and mysticism in general.Mentioned:- The Diary of Samuel Pepys (Saturday 29th June 1667)- Insomniac Dreams: Experiments with Time by Vladimir Nabokov- Notes to John by Joan Didion- Between Meals by A. J. Liebling- Resolve by Sylvia Plath- The Letters of Ted HughesNotes:If you'd like to support me, you can donate via Ko-Fi or...
2025-09-2431 min
The Maple Moon Podcast#1: Labour Like a Beast, Die Like a WormPodcast Recommendations:Ear BiscuitsAfter Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the ParanormalNot Just the TudorsBBC Front RowWeird in the WadeTV Recommendations:The NewsreaderMasterchef UKAncient Autopsy w/ Suzannah Lipscomb Get full access to The Maple Moon at themaplemoon.substack.com/subscribe
2025-09-1710 min
Beyond The ZeroStory of the Eye with Courtenay Schembri GrayFind Courtenay @
https://courtenayscorner.com/
http://patreon.com/courtenaywrites
Substack
https://themaplemoon.substack.com
X @courtenaywrites
Instagram themaltesereader
2023-11-2638 min