Shows
The WestWords PodcastWriting a novel as your PHD - Zohra Aly interviews Hayley ScrivenorWelcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Academy alumni Zohra speaks to Hayley Scrivenor about Hayley's experience writing her award-winning novel Dirt Town as a part of her creative writing PHD. Together they discuss knowing when your novel is finished, working out your writing routine, and tackling the editing process when you're not a natural plotter. Hayley Scrivenor is a former Director of Wollongong Writers Festival. Originally from a small country town, Hayley now lives and writes on Dharawal country and has a PhD...
2024-04-1031 min
Avoiding the Addiction Affliction"Don't Punish the Pain" with Claudia MerandiAnyone who has experienced chronic pain or has had a serious injury or surgery knows there is a role for pain-killing drugs. We've also all heard that those drugs can be dangerous when taken recreationally or incorrectly. Claudia Merandi discusses the important role opioids play in treating patient pain and the campaign to limit or eliminate those necessary drugs. Claudia Merandi is a former court reporter/owner of Merandi Court Reporting and is the founder and Executive Director of The Doctor Patient Forum and Don't Punish Pain Rally Organization. She is a patient advocate. Claudia and her organization can...
2024-02-0729 minThe WestWords PodcastSongwriting and the distortion of meaning - Paul Traynor and Marc Stanislas interview Bryan EstepaWelcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy alumni interview their favourite creatives. In this episode, Paul and Marc speak to musician and songwriter Bryan Estepa about the emotions that inspire them to write, how words, lyrics and music allow us to distort meaning, imposter syndrome, and writing for yourself first. Bryan Estepa is an Australian singer-songwriter who has been part of the Australian independent music scene for over 20 years and once been labelled one of ‘Sydney’s best kept secrets’. Estepa has released 7 critically acclaimed studio albums (All The Bells And Whistles, Sunday...
2024-01-3132 minThe WestWords PodcastArts advocacy, and the Special Envoy to the Arts - Libby Hyett interviews Susan Templeman MP, and Michael CampbellWelcome to a special series of episodes, where WestWords Academy members, and Alumni, interview their favourite creatives. Susan Templeman MP is an Australian politician. She is the member for Macquarie in the Australian House of Representatives and is Australia's Special Envoy for the Arts. Michael Campbell is the Executive Director of WestWords. With over 35 years of experience Michael has worked as CEO, Artistic Director, an arts consultant and strategist, artistic co-ordinator, producer, events manager, librettist, editor, writer, events manager, director, choreographer and dancer.Libby Hyett is a WestWords Academian alumni, working on her first...
2023-12-2632 min
The WestWords PodcastAUTHORSHIP, ACTIVISM AND ACADEMIA with Victoria BrookmanVictoria Brookman is an activist, author and academic from the Blue Mountains. In this interview with James Roy she describes how her own perceived inability to push through writer's block, along with a catastrophic natural disaster, led her to write her debut novel, Burnt Out (Harper Collins), a funny and angry look at climate change, activism and political influence.Note: Opinions and views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of WestWords.
2023-07-2132 minThe WestWords Podcast"SIGNS OF LIFE" – FOURPLAY STRING QUARTET AND NEIL GAIMAN COLLABORATION (Pt 2) with Peter HolloPeter Hollo is a professional cellist and founding member of FourPlay String Quartet, a musical ensemble who recently collaborated to record a second spoken word/music album with writer and creative powerhouse Neil Gaiman. The title of the latest album is Signs of Life, and in the second half of this interview with James Roy and Paris Rosemont, Peter talks about the origins, challenges and rewards that came with collaborating in such an interesting creative space, and how Signs of Life first began.You can hear more from and about FourPlay by going to their website at...
2023-06-3029 minThe WestWords Podcast"SIGNS OF LIFE" – FOURPLAY STRING QUARTET AND NEIL GAIMAN COLLABORATION (Pt 1) with Peter HolloPeter Hollo is a professional cellist and founding member of FourPlay String Quartet, a musical ensemble who recently collaborated to record a second spoken word/music album with writer and creative powerhouse Neil Gaiman. The title of the latest album is Signs of Life, and in the first half of this interview with James Roy and Paris Rosemont, Peter talks about the origins, challenges and rewards that came with collaborating in such an interesting creative space.You can hear more from and about FourPlay by going to their website at https://www.fourplay.com.au/...
2023-06-0934 minThe WestWords PodcastCHOOSE/SELECT/DETERMINE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE/EXPERIENCE/PLOT with George IvanoffGeorge Ivanoff is a Melbourne writer who has written over 130 books for young people, including a series of tense and thrilling interactive adventure books. Listen to this podcast to find out how he does it, especially if for you (like the host, James) plot is harder to do than character.georgeivanoff.com.auNOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2023-05-2628 minThe WestWords PodcastPOSTCARDS FROM THE URBAN DESERT with Pete ShmigelPete Shmigel is a freelance writer and journalist who has just returned from his second visit to Ukraine in 2023, where he began to write the stories of the people on the frontline of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this interview he talks about what compelled him to voluntarily enter a war zone, and what he took from the experience, both as a person, and as a writer.NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2023-05-1533 minThe WestWords PodcastOWN STORIES with Fiona MurphyFiona Murphy is a journalist, memoirist and non-fiction writer. As a Deaf writer, she is very interested in the rise of Own Voices as an important consideration for any artist working in a diverse space, be that around race, language, culture, sex/gender identity, disability or any other of the many diverse stories that can be told. In this interview, Fiona talks about Own Voices as an approach that should value listening over ticking boxes, and discusses sensitivity reading, the obligations of writers vs editors/publishers, and much more.This was recorded as part of...
2023-04-1336 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE ARTIST'S LIFE(STYLE CHOICE) with Michele FreemanToday we welcome Michele Freeman, a former WestWords Fellow and emerging writer from Western Sydney. Michele was recently at Daffodil Cottage for a week-long residency, and she and James had a wide-ranging conversation about working towards long-range artistic goals, what drives her as an artist, feeling like an imposter, and her approach to the stories of Western Sydney.Thank you to the Adès Family Foundation and Katy Jenkins for their ongoing generous support for the Daffodil Cottage program of support for writers and artists.
2023-03-0225 minThe WestWords PodcastREMEMBERING MARGARET HAMILTON – the 2020 Pinerolo interviewMargaret Hamilton AM (1941-2022) was a publisher, advocate, writer, educator, curator and passionate supporter of children's literature, particularly picture books. She passed away late in 2022, so we felt it timely to go back to an earlier interview with James Roy, in June 2020 at Pinerolo in Blackheath, in which she talks about what makes a good picture book, how publishers, writers and illustrators manage to play nicely, and some of the pitfalls to avoid. They also discuss how to pitch a picture book text with only four words.NOTE: Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not...
2023-02-0831 minThe WestWords PodcastWRITING FOR THEATRE (MUSICAL AND OTHERWISE) with Hilary BellWelcome back to the WestWords Mini-Masterclass podcast, a fortnightly series of conversations with creatives. To kick off 2023 we welcome Hilary Bell, who is a highly respected and multi-awarded playwright, writer, librettist and children’s book author. Hilary was one of our WestWords/Daffodil Cottage residents in 2022, where she was working on her new play The Book of Harold, as well as putting some polish on her musical theatre adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock. In this conversation she and James talk about musical theatre, missing schoolgirls, Harold Pinter’s housekeeper, and even the most overrated movie of all time (briefly...
2023-02-0132 minThe WestWords PodcastNOVEL RESEARCH ON LOCATION with James RoyAlly Burnham (WestWords creative producer) chats with writer and usual host of this podcast, James Roy, about his research methods for his current project, and how working on location creates surprising results.** Note: Views and opinions expressed in the podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2022-12-0523 minThe WestWords PodcastWRITING FOR ANIMATION with Ally BurnhamAlly Burnham (WestWords' own Creative Producer) recently won an AWGIE award for her animated short film Metropius. In this conversation she chats with James Roy about some of the differences between writing for animated and writing for live action.
2022-11-2019 minThe WestWords PodcastPAINTING BETWEEN THE LINES with Charmaine Ledden-LewisToday's conversation is with Bundjalung illustrator Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, who speaks with James Roy about the expectations, limitations and obligations of being a First Nations artist, and where the lines between artist and activist are clear, and where they are blurred.NOTE: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily shared by the WestWords organisation.
2022-11-0240 minThe WestWords Podcast"AWESOME, GOBSMACKED, NURTURED & INSPIRED" with the 2022 WestWords-Varuna ResidentsIn this Mini-Masterclass, James sits down with the 2022 WestWords-Varuna Writers in Residence: J. Marahuyo, Paris Rosemont, Harvey Liu and Finn O'Branagain; the winner of the inaugural Ultimo Prize, Zeynab Gamieldien; and poet and program mentor ali whitelock. They are discussing an amazing week at Varuna, the National Writers' House (varuna.com.au). Views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2022-09-2632 minThe WestWords Podcast"HENRY LAWSON WAS HERE" with Lowell TarlingToday (2nd September 2022) marks a century since the passing of beloved Australian (and Blue Mountains) poet and writer, Henry Lawson. In this conversation, James speaks with biographer and historian Lowell Tarling about the man, the myth, the tragic legend that was Henry Lawson.Please note that opinions and views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of WestWords.
2022-09-0225 minThe WestWords PodcastLETTERPRESS - THE "SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT" OF PRINTING with Caren Florance (a.k.a Ampersand Duck)Caren Florance (a.k.a. Ampersand Duck) is a letterpress artist who is currently residing in the house formerly owned by the late Mike Hudson and Jadwiga Jarvis, who were the duo behind the famed Wayzgoose Press, a letterpress publisher in Katoomba. In this conversation with James Roy, Caren talks about letterpress art (a form of printmaking), materiality, zines, and her research into collaborative art.www.carenflorance.com*** Note: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2022-08-1926 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE CURATIVE SPACE with Dave GriffithsCurative - does the word suggest something that cures, or something that assists in curating? Conversations, for example.Dave Griffiths opened his cafe with two purposes in mind, and neither of them was to make money. One was to make a previously much-loved but now deserted space into somewhere alive again. The other was to attract people with a story to tell, almost as a form of self-therapy. The result is a work-in-progress which will, for all time, remain a work-in-progress.*** Note: Opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation.
2022-07-2215 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE LULLABY(ISH) EPISODE with Demet Divaroren, Erica Wagner, Paula Kelly Paull and Tony EatonLullabys are universal, and in this episode, four writers and literature experts share lullabys and vague approximations of same with James Roy. I'f you'd like to share a lullaby with us, please email admin@westwords.com.auViews expressed by guests on this podcast are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation
2022-06-1313 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE 67TH BLAKE POETRY PRIZE with Simone King, Kirsten Krauth and Gershon MallerThis special edition of the WestWords Mini-Masterclass podcast is taken from an interview conducted with the winning and two highly commended poets (Simone King, Kirsten Krauth and Gershon Maller) from the 67th Blake Poetry Prize, a biennial poetry prize examining the world of belief and spirituality. In this interview, James Roy discusses the inspiration behind each of the three poems, and asks the poets to discuss their understanding of spirituality, and getting to know the unknowable.To watch the video version of this interview, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3EHoYxO0dQ...
2022-05-2752 min
WestWords NewsSeason 3, Episode 8Happy birthday to Robert Allen Zimmerman. We hear from the three top-placed poets in the 67th Blake Poetry Prize. Plus news from WestWords.
2022-05-2422 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE HURT HEALER with Alasdair CarterJames Roy and WestWords Fellow Brittany Kempaiah chat with slam poet Alasdair Carter about his work, particularly with respect to his "other job", which is working in the nursing field.*** DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests of WestWords are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation. ***
2022-05-1338 minWestWords NewsSeason 3, Episode 7Happy Mothers' Day! In recognition of mothers everywhere, we're recommending two wonderful and moving books about motherhood. Plus all the usual news from WestWords.
2022-05-0821 minThe WestWords PodcastIT'S ALL ACADEMIC with Georgia MonaghanWriter, lecturer and doctoral candidate Georgia Monaghan talks about the evolution of her work looking at the concept of spectacle, and the associated creative project.*** DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests of WestWords are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation. ***
2022-05-0151 minThe WestWords Podcast"WOULD YOU RATHER...?" (Part 1) with Ally Burnham, Margo Lanagan and Michael CampbellIn this episode, James throws some curly questions at Ally Burnham (screenwriter and WestWords' creative producer), Margo Lanagan (multi-award winning author) and Michael Campbell (biographer and WestWords' executive director.*** DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests of WestWords are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation. ***
2022-04-1425 minThe WestWords Podcast"SPOILER ALERT!": THE HAMILTON TENSION TRICK with James RoyIn this episode, James Roy discusses the first song of the stage musical Hamilton, and the seemingly unusual decision to announce the method of the main character's ultimate demise. It's a structural choice designed to ramp up tension throughout the work. Does it work?*** DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests of WestWords are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation. ***
2022-04-0119 minThe WestWords Podcast"ON STAGE, ON SCREEN": WRITING FOR PERFORMANCE with James ElazziJames Elazzi is an Australian born writer, of Lebanese decent. His writing stems from his upbringing, combining a hybrid cultural melting pot of Lebanese and Australian heritage. His award-winning writing for the stage includes Lady Tabouli, Omar and Dawn and Son of Byblos. Recently James completed his first screenplay, titled Karim's Cello. In this episode he speaks with James Roy about the differences between writing for stage vs writing for screen.https://jameselazziwriter.wordpress.com/james-elazzi/*** DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by guests of WestWords are not necessarily those of the WestWords organisation. ***
2022-03-1727 minWestWords NewsSeason 3, Episode 2Happy birthday to Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange. Poet Ouyang Yu reads and discusses his poem Someone. Plus the latest news from WestWords.
2022-02-2524 minWestWords NewsSeason 3, Episode 1It's the first WestWords Podcast for 2022 -- welcome back! Today we wish a happy birthday to a writer whose books have sold over 300 million copies, and who won an Oscar for screenwriting. We hear Grace Karstens read from her award-winning book People of the River. Plus all the usual news you've come to expect.
2022-02-1121 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 19Happy birthday, William Blake. A big win at the 2021 WSABE awards for WestWords and our director. The WestWords-Varuna Residency wraps up.
2021-11-2842 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 18Happy birthday, Robert Louis Stevenson. We announce the winners and highly commended entries from the Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize. A reading from Lucy Neave, and plenty of news from WestWords.
2021-11-1430 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 17Happy birthday to... the universe? Massive congratulations to a WestWords regular for a major award shortlisting. Plus we have a reading from Lisa Fuller, reading from her novel Ghost Bird.
2021-10-2429 minThe WestWords Podcast"ONE DAY THIS WILL MAKE A GOOD STORY" with Wai ChimAward-winning children's and young adult writer and previous WestWords presenter, Wai Chim, recently appeared in Australian Survivor: Brains vs Brawn, which saw two teams of competitors face off in the Australian outback. Wai and made it through 44 of the 48 days in punishing conditions, to be in the final five out of 24, which was an incredible effort.In this Mini-Masterclass, Wai speaks with James Roy about how she approached the many difficulties and challenges she faced, what she learned from the experience, and how six weeks in the outback may or may not have made her a better writ...
2021-10-1531 min
Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Juan Garrido-SalgadoPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Juan Garrido-Salgado immigrated to Australia from Chile in 1990, fleeing the regime that burned his poetry and imprisoned and tortured him for his political activism. He has published eight books of poetry and his work has been widely translated. He has also translated works by a number of leading Australian & Aboriginal poets into Spanish, including five Aboriginal poets for the anthology Espejo de T...
2021-09-271h 05WestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 14A recap on who we are and what we do at WestWords. Happy birthday to John Betjeman, British Poet Laureate and writer of the much-discussed poem Slough. Plus a rundown on the opportunities currently open (but closing soon).
2021-08-2925 minThe WestWords PodcastETHICAL HISTORICAL FICTION with Laura GreavesWriter and former journalist - and current WestWords-Whitlam Institute Female Orphan School Writer-in-Residence Laura Greaves speaks with James Roy about some of the necessary ethical considerations one must make when writing historical fiction.
2021-08-0637 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Michele SeminaraPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Michele Seminara is a poet and editor from Sydney. Her writing has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared in journals such as Cordite, Mascara Literary Review, Jacket2 Magazine and Australian Poetry Journal. She has published two full-length collections, Suburban Fantasy (UWA Publishing, 2021) and Engraft(Island Press, 2016), and chapbooks Scar to Scar (written with...
2021-08-051h 06WestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 12WestWords is nominated for a massive award... twice! And again! Happy birthday to someone who is the answer to an oft-asked trivia question. Plus tons of opportunities for artists at all stages of writing development.
2021-07-3124 minThe WestWords Podcast"MONKEY-FISH MOMENTS" – INTERVIEWING FOR BIOGRAPHY with Emma O'Neill-SandhamWriter, journalist and WestWords Western Sydney Emerging Writing Fellow Emma O'Neill-Sandham speaks with James about looking for the unusual "monkey-fish" moments in people's stories and memories, and offers some useful tips for effectively and productively interviewing subjects.
2021-07-0831 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Anthony LawrencePoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Anthony Lawrence has published seventeen books of poems and novel. His most recent collection is ‘Ken’ (Life Before Man, 2021). His books and individual poems have won many awards, including the Prime Ministers Literary Award for Poetry, The Kenneth Slessor Award, The Judith Wright Calanthe Award, the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal and the Blake Poetry Prize. A ne...
2021-07-0156 minThe WestWords PodcastFINDING THE THREAD with James KnightJames Knight recently prepared the text for the WestWords-MECA Refugee Week postcard project, and in this mini-masterclass he talks about the method he used to identify the threads of a bigger story so he could create short pieces that still had an impact.
2021-06-2521 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 9What's your favourite language-learning app? I bet it's not the same as our guest Gina's. One of those rarest of commodities - a job in the arts - is going at WestWords. Plus there are our projects and opportunities.
2021-06-1920 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 7Happy birthday to Charles Azvanour. We announce the winners and highly-commended entries in the WestWords-WestLit Living Stories Writing Prize. Our new WestWords art auction. Jacqueline Harvey is still out guest blogger.
2021-05-2320 minThe WestWords PodcastSPECIAL EDITION: Kavita Bedford in conversation with the "James & Ashley Stay At Home" podcastWe are so grateful to James and Ashley from the James & Ashley Stay At Home podcast (https://jamesandashley.libsyn.com/) for allowing us to present their recent conversation with Kavita Bedford, WestWords-WSU Writer-in-Residence and author of Shapes & Dark Shapes (Text Publishing), in which they talk about (amongst much more) Kavita's writing process, and the anonymity of cities.
2021-05-1430 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Alex SkovronPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Alex Skovron was born in Poland, lived briefly in Israel, and emigrated to Australia aged nearly ten. His family settled in Sydney, where he grew up and completed his studies. From the early 1970s he worked as an editor for book publishers in Sydney and (after 1980) Melbourne. His poetry has appeared widely in Australia and overseas, and he has received a...
2021-05-0658 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Judy JohnsonPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Judy Johnson is an award-winning poet with a special interest in bringing to life little known but fascinating aspects of Australia's history. Prizes for her historical narratives include the Banjo Paterson Award, which she won three years in a row, and the Val Vallis Award. She has also been the recipient of three New Work Grants from the Literature Board of...
2021-05-061h 02Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Andy JacksonPoet's Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Andy Jackson's first published book of poems, Among the Regulars, was shortlisted for the 2011 Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry, and his most recent collection, Music Our Bodies Can't Hold, which consists of portrait poems of other people with Marfan Syndrome, was shortlisted for the 2020 John Bray Poetry Award. He has co-edited disability-themed issues of the literary journals Southerly and Australian Poetry...
2021-05-0650 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Melinda SmithPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Melinda Smith is a poet, editor, teacher, arts advocate and event curator. Her latest book, Man-handled, has just been published by Recent Work Press. She is the author of seven other poetry books, including the 2014 Prime Minister’s Literary Award winner, Drag down to unlock or place an emergency call. She frequently collaborates with artists in other disciplines including dancers, musicians an...
2021-05-061h 10Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Anne CaseyPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Originally from the west of Ireland and living in Sydney, Anne Casey is an award-winning poet and author of two critically acclaimed poetry collections— where the lost things go (Salmon Poetry 2017, 2nd ed 2018) and out of emptied cups (Salmon Poetry 2019). She has worked for 30 years as a journalist, magazine editor, media communications director and legal author. Anne’s poetry has...
2021-05-061h 02Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Nathanael O'ReillyPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Nathanael O’Reilly is an Irish-Australian residing in Texas. His books include (Un)belonging (Recent Work Press, 2020); Preparations for Departure (UWAP, 2017), named one of the Books of the Year in Australian Book Review; Cult (Ginninderra Press, 2016); Distance (Ginninderra Press, 2015); Suburban Exile (Picaro Press, 2011); and Symptoms of Homesickness (Picaro Press, 2010). More than 200 of his poems have appeared in journals and anthologies published in...
2021-05-0658 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Peter BakowskiPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Melbourne-based poet, Peter Bakowski, fell in love with the map of the world at the age of six. In 1983 he wrote his first poem while staying at a friend’s farmhouse in Waco, Texas, in response to receiving a “Dear John” letter from a Melbourne girl. As a result of that fateful letter, Peter ended up travelling for seven years, caught a frei...
2021-05-0649 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Geoff GoodfellowPoet's Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Geoff Goodfellow has established a reputation for giving voice to a wide range of people who wouldn’t normally be the subjects of poetry or prose. He left school at fifteen and began to write in 1982 at the age of thirty-three. He had worked for many years in semi-skilled occupations. Essentially, he is an auto-didact. In February of 2008 Geoff wa...
2021-05-0654 minPoets' CornerPoets' Corner with Paul HetheringtonPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Paul Hetherington is a distinguished Australian poet. He has published 15 full-length collections of poetry and prose poetry, including the co-authored epistolary prose poetry sequence, Fugitive Letters (2020) and Typewriter and Manuscript (Life Before Man, 2020), along with 11 poetry chapbooks. He has won or been nominated for more than 30 national and international awards and competitions. In 2014 Six Different Windows won the Western...
2021-05-061h 12Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Damen O'BrienPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Damen O'Brien is a multi-award-winning Brisbane poet. In 2021, Damen won the Cafe Writers Poetry Competition, the Magma Judge's Prize, the MPU International Poetry Competition and received second place in the Gregory O'Donoghue Poetry Competition. Damen has been published in New Millenium Writings, the Atlanta Review, the Mississippi Review, Cordite, Southerly, StylusLit and many other journals. Damen has...
2021-04-291h 11Poets' CornerPoets' Corner with Ali Cobby EckermannPoets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated by David Ades. Each month a poet is invited to read and talk about their poetry on a theme of the poet's choice. Ali Cobby Eckermann’s first collection ‘little bit long time’ was written in the desert and launched her literary career in 2009. In 2013 Ali toured Ireland as Aust. Poetry Ambassador and won the Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry and Book Of The Year (NSW) for Ruby Moonlight, a massacre verse novel. In 2014 Ali was the inaugural recipient of the Tungkunungka Pintyanthi Fellowship at Ade...
2021-04-0100 minWestWords NewsSeason 2, Episode 2Happy birthday to Jeff Daniels. We announce a MASSIVE new residential opportunity for artists. Plus other news from WestWords.
2021-02-1921 minThe WestWords PodcastFINDING DISCIPLINE IN YOUR WRITING with Tim Harris (Part 1 of 3)Bestselling children's author Tim Harris (Toffle Towers; Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables) talks about finding discipline in your writing life, and discusses the various challenges and strategies. This podcast is taken from a seminar Tim presented to the 2020 WestWords Academy.
2021-02-1116 minThe WestWords PodcastTECHNICAL WRITING with Adam TurnerAdam Turner is a prolific and award-winning freelance biz-tech and consumer-tech writer and podcaster. In this mini-masterclass he speaks with James about how to secure this kind of work, how to decide what to write about, and some of the pitfalls to avoid in a growing and competitive market.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2021-01-0541 minThe WestWords PodcastREALITY AS FANTASY with Isobelle CarmodyIsobelle Carmody is a shining light in the global fantasy world. In this talk, recorded as part of WestWords' monthly Kitten Cub event, she discusses writing fantasy as a means to understand the traumatic events of real life.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-10-2630 minWestWords NewsEpisode 18Happy birthday to Kamala Harris. We meet Wai Chim, author of The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling. News from WestWords.
2020-10-2030 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE ART OF GHOSTWRITING with Lowell TarlingLowell Tarling is the author of over 100 books, many of which are ghost-written. He speaks with James Roy about the process, the pitfalls and the mental approach to giving sufficient mental and creative investment to a project that is not truly one's own.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-10-0226 minThe WestWords Podcast"IT'S MORE THAN JUST WRITING WORDS": CAREER SKILLS FOR WRITERS with Hajer Al-awsiOur very own Hajer (associate producer) talks about some of the career skills an emerging artist might need, and why she developed the WestWords Academy.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-09-2531 minWestWords NewsEpisode 16Vale Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Business awards recognition for WestWords and Michael Campbell. Booktober launched. Blake Prize awarded. Plus readings from James Knight and the Blake winner/runner-up.
2020-09-2332 minThe WestWords PodcastEDGY Y.A. FOR EDGY YOUNG ADULTS with Scot GardnerMATURE THEMES: Scot Gardner and James Roy share a conversation about some of the changes they've seen in YA writing over the last two decades, especially in the way young men are portrayed and represented in their own stories.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-09-1129 minWestWords NewsEpisode 14Want to work with WestWords? We have a vacancy. Big news about Vice-Regal Patronage! Our 2019 Emerging Writers Fellows sign off, and applications open for the 2020 crop. New interview with Jessie Tu. Plus news.
2020-08-1832 minWestWords NewsEpisode 13Happy 100th birthday to PD James, and happy 43rd birthday to the TRS-80 personal computer. We hear from WS writer and debut novelist, Jessie Tu. We open the callout for the 2021 WestWords Fellows. Pinerolo residencies still accepting applications. Blacktown Mayoral Writing Prize.
2020-08-0327 minThe WestWords PodcastSTORYTELLING with Lee CastledineChildren's and Young Adult Librarian from Blacktown City Librarians and long-time member of the Australian Storytellers' Guild, Lee Castledine, talks about storytelling as an art-form in its own right, including the history, trends and new applications of storytelling, and how new storytellers can get started.The link mentioned in the podcast can be found at: www.storytellersnsw.org.auThe WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-07-1031 minThe WestWords PodcastBOOKS ON WRITING with James RoyJames Roy (WestWords) talks about his favourite three books on the writing craft, along with some honourable mentions.The three books are:Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott (Pantheon, 1994)On Writing by Stephen King (Scribner, 2000)Walking on Alligators: A Book of Meditations For Writers by Susan Shaughnessy (HarperOne, 1991)The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-07-0116 minThe WestWords Podcast"BRING GOOD BISCUITS" – RUNNING WRITING GROUPS with Michelle RickerbyProducer and freelancer Michelle Rickerby speaks with James about the benefits of private writing groups, how to go about setting one up, and some of the pitfalls to watch out for.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-06-2633 minThe WestWords PodcastCRIME WRITING with Malla NunnSouth African-born crime writer Malla Nunn (When the Ground is Hard; Present Darkness; A Beautiful Place to Die)talks to James about writing with originality whilst honouring the tropes that make crime such a popular genre.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-06-2335 minThe WestWords PodcastPICTURE BOOKS – A PUBLISHER'S PERSPECTIVE with Margaret HamiltonFormer Australian publisher and children's literature expert Margaret Hamilton talks about picture books, but from the publisher's perspective.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-06-1131 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE PERSONAL ESSAY with Tanya VavilovaTanya Vavilova (We Speak in Code) talks about her approach to the personal essay, what "writing from the fringes" means to her, and why dogs would make good early-draft editors.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-06-0531 minThe WestWords PodcastTHE BARN-FED POET with ali whitelockAuthor of poetry collections "and my heart crumples like a coke can" and "the lactic acid in the calves of your despair", ali whitelock, talks about different poetry forms, and offers her views on everything from orange teacups to sheltering from bushfires under a woollen blanket.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-06-0336 minThe WestWords PodcastHIP-HOP FOR FUN & PROFIT with NardeanNardean is a Western Sydney singer, poet and hip-hop artist. She was featured on Triple-J Unearthed, and her latest EP is titled "The New Era". She talks about the history of hip-hop, and shares her best tips on how to start writing your first hip-hop track.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-2831 minThe WestWords PodcastWRITING WITH A PURPOSE with Randa Abdel-FattahAuthor, academic and essayist Randa Abdel-Fattah (Australian, Arab, Other" (ed. with Sarah Saleh); When Michael Met Mina; Does My Head Look Big In This?" talks about her approach to writing when she has something important to say, and strategies any writer can use to write about the big topics.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-2728 minThe WestWords PodcastFINDING TIME AND PLACE with Scot GardnerAward-winning YA author Scot Gardner talks about how he found the headspace and physical space to be the best and most productive writer he could be. There's also a gratuitous reference to Danger Noodles of Fury.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-2040 minThe WestWords PodcastEDITING PRE-EDITOR with James RoyEditors are a writer's best friend, but it's important to send in the best draft you can. In this masterclass, James steps into the presenter's chair to offer a few easy tips that will help ensure that you've done as much as you can to help your editor do all they can.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-2026 minThe WestWords PodcastWORLD BUILDING with Deborah AbelaPopular Australian children's author and highly sought-after creative writing teacher Deborah Abela (Grimsdon; New City; The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee) talks about creating worlds that are immersive and ring true to the reader, even if they're fantasy or science fiction.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-1333 minThe WestWords PodcastWRITING PICTURE BOOKS with Amelia McInerneyAmelia McInerney (The Book Chook; Bad Crab) speaks with James about that first idea, learning from the best, and letting go of the reins once the text goes to the illustrator.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-1325 minThe WestWords PodcastSHORT STORIES with James RoyOur very own James Roy (WestWords' program manager for Blacktown and the Blue Mountains) is also the award-winning author of 35 books, including Town, a collection of short stories which won the 2008 Ethel Turner Prize in the NSW Premier's Literary Award, and was nominated for the prestigious German Youth Literature Prize. In this masterclass he goes from interviewer to presenter, to discuss some of his best tips to help writers who are struggling with the short story form.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-0819 minThe WestWords PodcastPOETRY FOR BEGINNERS with Harry LaingPoet for adults and children, Harry Laing, shares his love of poetry, offers some useful tips for getting started, and explains why we should even bother.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-05-0735 minThe WestWords PodcastSETTING with Tim HarrisBestselling author for young people, Tim Harris (Toffle Towers; Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables) talks with James Roy about how he uses setting to create believable worlds for his characters, and his readers.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-3022 minThe WestWords PodcastWRITING ABOUT IDENTITY with Melina Marchetta"The middle ground between tokenism and stereotype is just good storytelling". Australian YA legend Melina Marchetta (Looking for Alibrandi; Saving Francesca; Finnikin of the Rock; The Piper's Son) talks about what she has learnt about writing from the perspective of identity in the 28 years since her first novel was released, and what has changed – or hasn't changed – in the way writers can best approach questions of identity in their work.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-2928 minThe WestWords PodcastUSE OF LANGUAGE IN HISTORICAL FICTION with Catherine JinksAward-winning writer of over fifty books, Catherine Jinks (Pagan's Crusade; Evil Genius; City of Orphans series; Shepherd) discusses her approach to finding authenticity in language when writing historical fiction.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-2330 minThe WestWords PodcastI, MEMOIRIST with Fiona WrightPoet, essayist, critic and memoirist Fiona Wright speaks of her approach to the intersection between essays and memoir, and how she uses the smallest details to explore the bigger, grander themes of family, belonging, and our social fabric.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-2232 minWestWords NewsEpisode 7WestWords continues to transition many of its programs to on-line. Happy birthday Crispin Glover. News and opportunities. We meet our third WestWords Fellow, Erin Sayers.
2020-04-1938 minThe WestWords PodcastANGER & ELOQUENCE – CREATING TENSION with John LarkinAward-winning writer John Larkin (The Shadow Girl; The Pause) talks about how he creates and raises tension in his works of fiction. Plus there's a retelling of his infamous Possum Story.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-1529 minThe WestWords PodcastNON-FICTION - BRING ME AN ANGLE with James Knight"Don't bring me a story – bring me an angle." Journalist, sports writer and biographer James Knight discusses how a non-fiction writer takes an idea, then zooms in, zooms out, and examines it from every side, looking for the best angle. Plus James Roy tells a terrible joke about Sherlock Holmes going camping.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-04-1535 minWestWords NewsEpisode 6A quote from French balloonist and photographer Nadar. WestWords goes virtual. Announcing the new WestWords Mini-Masterclasses (including a sneak peek). Competitions and opportunities. Meet some of our Academians.
2020-04-0618 minThe WestWords PodcastCHARACTERS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with Rawah ArjaRawah Arja (The F Team) discusses how she drew on personal experience - and a deep dislike for reading as a child - to create the characters in her debut YA novel.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-03-2625 minThe WestWords PodcastPLOTTING & PLANNING with Tim HarrisBestselling author for young people, Tim Harris (Toffle Towers, Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables), talks to James Roy about plotting and planning, and accepts a time-sensitive challenge.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-03-2527 minThe WestWords PodcastHUNTING & GATHERING IDEAS with Deborah AbelaPopular Australian children's author and highly sought-after creative writing teacher Deborah Abela (Grimsdon; New City; The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee) talks about how she hunts, gathers and uses ideas, and how she turns them into stories that keep her readers turning the page.The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.
2020-03-2431 minWestWords NewsEpisode 5WestWords' COVID-19 response. Eunice Andrada and Sydney Living Museums. Meet the first crop of Academians. WestWords-Western Sydney University Writers in Residence applications now open.
2020-03-2335 minWestWords NewsEpisode 4Poet's corner. Celebration of Writing. Charles Bukowski. Interview with WestWords Fellow, Aishah Ali.
2020-03-0829 minWestWords NewsFootnotes 1 – Interview with Laura GreavesAn interview with journalist, non-fiction writer and WestWords presenter Laura Greaves.
2020-02-2724 minWestWords NewsEpisode 3The first Westside Poetry Slam for 2020. Our upcoming Celebration of Writing. Interview with Claire Cao. The WestWords Academy. News. Music by Peter Valentine Fenton.
2020-02-2323 minWestWords NewsEpisode 2We announce the brand new WestWords Academy! Plus the usual news and views from the WestWords Centre for Writing.
2020-02-1019 minWestWords NewsEpisode 1What is WestWords? 2019 in review. Interview with actor, musician and writer Peter Valentine Fenton. News. A tribute to YA writer Steph Bowe.
2020-01-2638 min