On Creative Writing

In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, debut novelist Emma Marnes joins host Sheelagh Caygill for an detailed discussion about book publicity and self-promotion on a minimal budget. Emma’s novel, The Walk, began as a spark of inspiration while she was studying in Dublin, and she takes listeners through the experience of that initial idea to seeing her book in print. She shares the process of finding a publisher, the importance of having an author website, and how she navigated the sometimes-daunting world of social media to connect with readers and fellow writers.Emma opens up about the challenges and opportunities that come with promoting a first book, especially for those who identify as introverts. She offers practical, actionable advice for authors who may feel overwhelmed by the idea of putting themselves out there. A key messages is the importance of knowing your audience—understanding who your readers are and where they spend their time, both online and offline. Emma explains how this knowledge helped her choose publicity methods that felt authentic and manageable, such as reaching out to local book clubs and securing speaking engagements with organizations like the Women’s Institute.Emma tells Sheelagh about the importance of selfless networking—making genuine connections without making every opportunity “all about me.” Emma stresses that successful networking is about building relationships, supporting others, and being sincerely interested in what people are doing, rather than simply seeking personal gain. She shares examples of how offering help, sharing resources, and celebrating others’ successes has led to meaningful collaborations and unexpected opportunities.Related to this is the likability factor in book promotion. Emma notes that readers and industry professionals are more likely to support authors who are approachable, positive, and authentic. She encourages writers to let their personalities shine through in their interactions, whether online or in person, and to focus on building trust and goodwill within the literary community.Selfless networking and likability created two big wins for Emma. One was being fortunate to be able to produce an audiobook of The Walk on a tight budget. She describes how through university connections she found talented student, Erin Connolly, to narrate The Walk, resulting in a high-quality audiobook without the hefty price tag. Erin received her first professional credit by narrating the book, and will receive 50 percent of the audiobook royalties. This resourceful approach underscores Emma’s belief that creativity and community can open doors, even when resources are limited.The second big win was securing her own radio program for one year, Wednesday Words and Music, with Phoenix FM, an Essex radio station.Emma’s book publicity campaign for The Walk speaks to the power of perseverance, community, adaptability, and self-belief. She reminds listeners that every author’s path is unique, and so creating book publicity strategies that align with your own strengths and values are key. Finally, it's essential to support other writers and authors.Links:EmmaMarns.comInstagram and FacebookBuy The Walk, or order from your local bookstore.Emma Marns' audio essay on writing The WalkEmma Marns' Q&A interviewAudiobook narrator Erin Connolly.

In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, guest Marco Melfi discusses his debut poetry collection, Routine Maintenance, published by Gaspereau Press (2025) with guest host Alice Major. Marco is a graduate of Simon Fraser University’s The Writer’s Studio. His poems have appeared in The Antigonish Review, The New Quarterly, Prairie Fire, The Arc Award of Awesomeness, Funicular, FreeFall and The Prairie Journal. His chapbook, In between trains, was published in 2014. He lives in Edmonton on Treaty 6 Territory, and works as a planner. Alice is is an award-winning poet and essayist based in Edmonton, Canada. She has published twelve collections of poetry, two novels for young adults, and an award-winning collection of essays about poetry and science. Her most recent collection of poetry is Knife on Snow, (Turnstone Press, 2024). In August, 2026, a new collection of essays and poetry titled Triangularity will be published by the University of Alberta Press.In this episode, Marco and Alice explore the intersections between everyday experience and poetic expression. Marco shares some poems from Routine Maintenance, each delving into themes of daily life, family relationships, and urban landscapes.Routine Maintenance captures the subtle beauty and quiet moments of ordinary routines. The poems study the rhythms of home and city life, memories of time with loved ones, and the ways in which memory shapes our understanding of the present. His poetry is marked by vivid imagery and a keen attention to the sounds and forms of language, inviting listeners to find meaning in the familiar.Marco discusses his creative process, revealing how his work as an urban planner informs his writing. He explains how his professional experience offers a unique perspective on the built environment, inspiring poems that engage with the physical landscapes of the city. Marco and Alice talk about the importance of place in poetry, considering how streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces can serve as both setting and subject, grounding abstract emotions in concrete detail.They touche on the significance of poetic form and sound. Marco describes his approach to crafting poems, emphasizing the role of rhythm, line breaks, and repetition in shaping the reader’s experience. He shares insights into how the musicality of language can elevate everyday moments into something artful and resonant.Alice and Marco reflect on the transformative power of poetry, exploring how writing can help us see the world anew. They consider how poems can draw attention to overlooked details, celebrate the mundane, and offer solace or insight during challenging times. Marco speaks candidly about the joys and challenges of writing about family, memory, and routine, and how poetry allows him to honour the small but significant moments that make up a life.Marco’s work demonstrates that inspiration can be found in the most routine aspects of daily existence, from morning commutes to broken furnaces, car maintenance, and evening walks in the neighbourhood. This episode highlights the value of paying attention, of slowing down to notice the textures and patterns that shape our days.Marco and Alice help us see how writing can help us connect more deeply with the routine, our communities, and the places we call home. Find Marco Melfi online at Instagram.Find Alice Major at her website and on Instagram.Buy Routine Maintenance from Gaspereau Press or your local bookstore.

Guest host and poet Kim Mannix sits down with poet and digital media artist Kyle Flemmer for an in-depth conversation about his latest poetry collection, Supergiants, published by Wolsak and Wynn. In this engaging episode, Kim and Kyle delve into the unique intersections of poetry, science, and visual art that define Kyle’s work, offering listeners a glimpse into the mind of a writer who is constantly pushing the boundaries of literary form.Kyle shares the inspiration behind Supergiants, his recent collection published by Wolsak and Wynn in 2025, and how it draws heavily from the awe and mystery of astronomy. Kyle explains how the vastness of the cosmos and the intricate systems of the digital world serve as both metaphor and method in his poetry. He describes his fascination with the language of science and how it informs the experimental structures found throughout the book, from visual poems that mimic star charts to pieces that play with the logic of computer code.Kim notes that Kyle has quotes from poets Diane Ackerman and Alice Major at the opening of his book. Kyle says, "Yes, Alice Major is a big influence on my writing as well [and] her poem 'Let us compare Cosmologies' from her book Standard Candles. I think I had read the Ackerman book (The Planets: A Cosmic Pastoral)first and was like, "Wow, that's an amazing ideal to aspire to in my own work." And then reading Alice Major, I realized, "I know this person! This is something that I could do. It belongs and it fits in our community. And so I feel like maybe Diane Ackerman is my poetic godmother, and Alice Major is more like my poetic mom herself."Kim and Kyle explore the creative process behind Supergiants, touching on the challenges and rewards of blending scientific concepts with poetic expression. Kyle offers insights into how he balances rigorous research with imaginative leaps, and how his background in digital media art allows him to experiment with form in ways that invite readers to engage with poetry on multiple sensory levels. The conversation also highlights the collaborative nature of Kyle’s work, as he discusses the importance of feedback from peers and mentors in shaping the final manuscript.He looks at the feminist themes woven throughout Supergiants, and reflects on his commitment to challenging traditional narratives within both science and poetry, and how he seeks to amplify marginalized voices through his work. He shares how feminist theory has influenced his approach to authorship, representation, and the ethics of artistic creation, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and critical engagement in contemporary literature.Listeners are treated to live readings of selected poems from Supergiants, with Kyle providing context and commentary on each piece. These readings showcase the collection’s innovative use of language, form, and imagery, inviting the audience to experience the wonder and complexity of the universe through a poetic lens.The episode concludes with a preview of Kyle’s upcoming projects, including new experiments in digital poetry and collaborative art. Kyle expresses his ongoing commitment to expanding the boundaries of what poetry can be, encouraging listeners to embrace curiosity and openness in their own creative pursuits. If you’re a longtime poetry lover or new to experimental literature, this episode offers thought-provoking into into new imaginative territories.

Find the full transcript of Michael Mirolla's audio essay, 'Michael Mirolla on metafiction: Writing that reflects on its own creation'.In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, award winning author Michael Mirolla delivers an audio essay deep into the genre of metafiction, a literary mode that self-consciously highlights its own artifice and construction, inviting readers to reflect on the very nature of storytelling itself.Michael begins by defining metafiction and explaining how it distinguishes itself from other literary forms such as realism, magic realism, and speculative fiction. While realism strives to create the illusion of a seamless, believable world, and magic realism blends the ordinary with the extraordinary, metafiction draws attention to its own fictional status. By doing so, it breaks the so-called fourth wall, making readers acutely aware that they are engaging with a crafted narrative rather than an objective reality. Michael illustrates how this self-awareness can be both playful and profound, offering writers and readers alike a unique lens through which to examine the act of creation.Delving into the historical roots of metafiction, Michael traces its lineage from early examples in classical literature to its flourishing in the postmodern era. He highlights key authors who have shaped and expanded the boundaries of metafiction, such as Laurence Sterne, whose novel "Tristram Shandy" is often cited as a pioneering work, and more contemporary figures like Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, and Margaret Atwood. Michael discusses how these writers use metafictional techniques to question narrative conventions, blur the lines between author and character, and explore the relationship between fiction and reality.The episode also explores the contemporary relevance of metafiction, particularly in the context of feminist and postmodernist approaches. Michael examines how feminist writers have employed metafiction to challenge patriarchal narratives and give voice to marginalized perspectives, while postmodernists have used it to deconstruct grand narratives and highlight the instability of meaning. He discusses how metafiction remains a vital tool for writers seeking to engage with the complexities of identity, language, and power in the modern world.Drawing from his own experience as a novelist, Michael shares personal insights into the creative process behind his metafictional works. He describes the sense of freedom that comes with embracing metafiction, allowing writers to experiment with form, structure, and voice in ways that traditional storytelling might not permit. Michael encourages listeners to view metafiction not as a set of rigid techniques, but as an invitation to play with the possibilities of narrative, to question assumptions, and to forge new paths in their own writing.Whether you are a seasoned author or just beginning your creative journey, this episode provides valuable perspectives on how metafiction can enrich your writing practice and open up new avenues for artistic exploration.Discover how metafiction can transform the way you think about stories—and perhaps inspire you to experiment with your own writing, challenging conventions and embracing the limitless potential of literary art.

On Creative Writing is grateful to author Sean Minogue for this engaging audio essay about writing his speculative fiction time-travel thriller, Terminal Solstice! Sean takes listeners through the decade-long period during which he was (mostly) writing Terminal Solstice (Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press, 2025).Sean describes the novel’s central concept: a world where time literally freezes, and everyone is suddenly stuck in an unconscious, mannequin-like state. All technology stops, cars crash, and planes fall from the sky. These events happen without warning and follow no predictable schedule. While governments struggle to adapt, small groups have discovered a way to stay awake during these "frozen" events. Terminal Solstice follows three characters as they navigate a power struggle within a city that is totally silent and motionless.The novel progressed over ten years, beginning as a collection of loosely connected ideas before transforming into a cohesive narrative. Sean describes the early stages of experimentation and how his vision for the story sharpened as he evolved personally and immersed himself in parenting.While writing Terminal Solstice, parenthood became a priority for Sean. Although writing was set aside for a time to focus on his child, being a parent significantly influenced his creative process—over time, he became more patient, more aware, and a better problem solver.Sean also discusses how his diverse background in theater, film, and television influenced his approach to storytelling, specifically regarding pacing, dialogue, and visual imagery. He reflects on how his work as a copywriter honed his ability to write with clarity and precision—skills that proved invaluable during many rounds of revision—and notes how mentorships helped guide his progress.As the writing process continued, the story grew more complex, with characters and themes deepening as Sean revisited and reimagined the manuscript. He emphasizes the importance of patience and allowing a story to unfold organically rather than forcing it into a predetermined mold.Finally, Sean shares his experience working with Turnstone Press. He speaks highly of the collaborative process, noting how the editorial team provided insightful feedback that was instrumental in refining the manuscript for publication.Throughout this episode, Sean offers valuable insights into the emotional and practical realities of novel writing. His journey is a testament to the power of persistence and the rewards of following a creative vision.Connect with the Author:Find Sean Minogue at his website and follow him on Instagram.Discover Sean’s Q&A interview at OnCreativeWriting.com.