Beth Kanter fills in JL about how to balance humour with truth, writing through difficult times and why JL should fear the menopause. Beth reminisces about her journey from journalism to teaching and all the things she’s learnt along the way.

Beth also reads her flash fiction piece, “Lone Bird” – www.idleink.org/2022/05/07/lone-bird-by-beth-kanter/

Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/beekaekae

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beekaekae/

Website: www.bethkanter.com

No Access Washington, DC: The Capital's Hidden Treasures, Haunts, and Forgotten Places: https://www.amazon.com/No-Access-Washington-Treasures-Forgotten/dp/1493032224

Great Food Finds Washington, DC: Delicious Food from the Nation's Capital: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Food-Finds-Washington-Delicious/dp/1493028154/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Gentle Piano Meditation” by NaturesEye

JL chats with Ken Wetherington about his experiences with writing groups and the benefits of being an award-winning writer. Ken talks about his love of film and writing stories that feel cinematic.

Ken also reads an excerpt from his short story, “Sui Generis” - idleink.org/2022/03/05/sui-generis-by-ken-wetherington/

Links:

Website: https://kenwetherington.com

Twitter: @KenWetherington

Amazon: Santa Abella and Other Stories

Harambee Literary Prize: First Runner-Up: THE BROTHERS EVANGER - Harambee Literary Prize

Correction: In this episode, Ken states that his short story collection is due to be released in Autumn 2022, however it is actually due to be released in Spring 2023

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Canción Triste” by enrique27naveda

JL chats with Cadeem Lalor about how culture has influenced his identity and how this comes out in his writing. Cadeem talks about how to know which criticisms are useful and laments about the grind of querying agents.

Cadeem also reads an excerpt from his short story, “Memory Catcher” - idleink.org/2020/08/01/memory-catcher-by-cadeem-lalor/

Links:

Beacon: www.beacons.ai/moviegrapevine

Twitter: www.twitter.com/CMoviegrapevine

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Dark Sad Ambient Piano” by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer

JL and Molly Andrea-Ryan get existential as they discuss the idea of writing to find meaning. They chat about their oddly similar post-university experiences of dealing with burnout whilst working retail and the terror of attaching your name to creative non-fiction.

Molly also reads an excerpt from her story, “Idle Hands” - idleink.org/2022/08/06/idle-hands-by-molly-andrea-ryan/

Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mollyandrearyan

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mollyandrearyan

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Please Calm My Mind” by Lesfm

JL chats to fellow lit mag editor Kevin M. Casin about the stress of running a magazine and dealing with the eternal urge to take on way too many projects. Kevin talks about the importance of representation in the lit scene and why he’s proud to give a platform to queer and BIPOC writers.

Kevin also reads an excerpt from his story, “The Binding of Light and Fire” – www.idleink.org/2022/10/01/the-binding-of-light-and-fire-by-kevin-m-casin/

Links:

Tree and Stone Magazine: www.tree-and-stone.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/kevinthedruid

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kevinthedruid/

Website: www.kevinmcasin.com

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Cinematic Fairy Tale Story (Main)” by Daddy’s Music

On the first episode ever, JL chats with Courtenay Schembri Gray about the often-ignored issues within the online lit community. Why are we so quick to cancel people? When is it okay to call out a problematic writer? And why are we all so competitive?

Courtenay also reads her poem “June Bug” - www.idleink.org/2022/03/05/june-bug-by-courtenay-s-gray/

Links:

The Maggot on Maple Street, forthcoming from Anxiety Press (www.athinsliceofanxiety.com)

Substack: www.themaplemoon.substack.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/courtenaywrites

Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtenaywrites/

Music:

Theme music: “Electronic Rock (King Around Here)” by AlexGrohl

Reading background music: “Piano Moment” by Daddy’s Music