On Creative Writing

In this episode of On Creative Writing, host Sheelagh Caygill sits down with Canadian poet Kim Mannix to discuss Kim's debut poetry collection, Confirm Humanity, published in October 2025 by Wild Skies Press. Kim shares insights into her journey as a writer, beginning with her background in journalism and how it has influenced her approach to poetry. Kim talks about the ways in which her experience as a journalist—her attention to detail, curiosity, and ability to distill complex stories—translates into her poetic voice, allowing her to capture both the personal and the universal in her work.They explore the themes that run through Confirm Humanity, including grief, motherhood, and the impact of global violence. Kim describes how poetry has become a vital tool for processing difficult emotions and making sense of the world’s chaos. She discusses the therapeutic aspects of writing, and how putting feelings into words can offer both solace and clarity.Kim reads four poems from Confirm Humanity, including "Disturbing the Peace" and "Watercolour." Kim introduces each poem, offering context about their origins and the emotions behind them. She explains how prompts—whether from writing groups, workshops, or her own curiosity—often spark her creative process, pushing her to explore new ideas and perspectives. Kim shares anecdotes about how certain poems emerged from unexpected moments or observations, highlighting the serendipitous nature of inspiration.The episode also touches on Kim’s fascination with true crime and unsolved cases, a theme she hints will be central to a future chapbook project. She discuss the ethical considerations of writing about real-life tragedies, and how poetry can offer a space to honor victims’ stories while grappling with the complexities of justice and memory. Kim reflects on the responsibility writers have when engaging with sensitive material, and how she strives to approach these subjects with empathy and respect.Kim also talks about her role as board president of the the Edmonton Poetry Festival, reflecting on the importance of community and collaboration in the literary world. She emphasizes how being part of a vibrant poetry scene has shaped her own writing and provided opportunities to connect with other poets and readers. Kim has lived in many places in Canada and now lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. She offers advice for aspiring poets, encouraging them to embrace vulnerability, seek out supportive communities, and remain open to experimentation. She underscores the value of reading widely and engaging with diverse voices, noting how exposure to different styles and perspectives has enriched her own work. The episode concludes with Kim sharing her hopes for the impact of Confirm Humanity, expressing a desire for readers to find connection, comfort, and a sense of shared humanity in her poems.Find Kim's book in all independent bookstores and online, and find Kim at Makesmesodigress.com.

In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host and poet Marco Melfi sits down with talented poet Stephanie Bolster to discuss her latest collection, Long Exposure (Palimpsest Press, 2025). The conversation examines the book’s remarkable 15-year creation process, revealing how time, patience, and evolving perspectives shaped the final work.Stephanie, who is a creative writing professor at Concordia University, Montreal, shares insights into Long Exposure's fragmented long-poem structure, explaining how this form allowed her to capture the complexity and multiplicity of disasters—both natural and man-made.Marco, author of the poetry collection Routine Maintenance (Gaspereau Press, 2025), asks Stephanie about the central events that inspired Long Exposure, including Hurricane Katrina, the Chernobyl disaster, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about her approach to writing about these catastrophes, emphasizing the importance of bearing witness without appropriating others’ suffering, and the ethical challenges of representing trauma and disaster. Stepanie says she strives to balance the chaos inherent in such events with moments of humanity and empathy in her poetry.Some poets are inspired by, or focus on, the sounds of their poems, while others are inspired by images. The images may be a fleeting image created by a few words and vivid in the mind's eye for a few moments. Or they may be seen in a book, galleries, museums, etcetera, or what a poet observes as they move through their day. For Stephanie, the photographs of Canadian photographer Robert Polidori have impacted and inspired her. She explains how the act of taking and viewing photographs parallels the experience of writing about disaster: both involve framing, selection, and sometimes, a necessary distance. She describes how photographs can both reveal and obscure truth, and how this duality influenced her poetic choices.Stephanie reads several evocative excerpts from Long Exposure, each illuminating the systemic failures that often underlie large-scale disasters and the profound human cost that follows. Her readings highlight the tension between the personal and the collective, the seen and the unseen, and the immediate and the historical. Marco and Stephanie discuss how poetry can serve as a form of testimony, offering space for reflection, mourning, and, ultimately, understanding, and Marco also draws attention to Stephanie’s use of sparse punctuation and unconventional visual formatting, noting how these stylistic decisions mirror the book’s themes of displacement, fragmentation, and loss.Throughout the episode, Marco skillfully guides the conversation, drawing connections between Stephanie’s poetic techniques and the broader questions her work raises about memory, responsibility, and the role of the artist in times of crisis. Stephanie answers with insightful and revealing reflections on her writing, including the challenges of sustaining a long-term project and the ways in which her own thinking about disaster and representation evolved over the years.Poets and readers of poetry curious about the intersections of art and social responsibility will find that this podcast episode offers thoughtful conversation and many insights.On Creative Writing is grateful to Marco for taking the host's seat, and to Stephanie for her wonderful responses to Marco's questions.Links:Stephanie Bolster.Long Exposure by Stephanie Bolster.Marco Melfi.Routine Maintenance, by Marco Melfi.Photographer Robert Polidori.

On Creative Writing host Sheelagh Caygill welcomes essayist and poet Sadiqa de Meijer, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Sadiqa provides a thoughtful meditation on what it means to belong, to create, and to live attentively in a fast-paced world, and also reads the poem 'Living Rooms of Qaf' from her new collection, Qaf's People.To prepare for this interview, Sheelagh read Sadiqa's writing and listened to quite a few podcasts interviews with Sadiqa, and thinks of this episode as, unofficially, part three of conversations Sadiqa had with Liisa Kovlova, host of Women Writing - listen here, and with Hollay Ghadery, host of New Books Network - listen here. Sadiqa was born in The Netherlands and moved to Canada with her parents when she began high school. In this interview, she reflects on her mixed Dutch-Kenyan heritage and how this duality profoundly shapes her perspective as a writer. Sheelagh and Sadiqa discuss the complexities of cultural identity and the nuances of the immigrant experience, exploring how these themes surface in Sadiqa’s essays and poetry.Sadiqa shares how her upbringing and family background have influenced her sense of belonging and the way she navigates questions of home and language. She describes the challenges and rewards of writing from a place of hybridity, where multiple cultural influences intersect and inform her voice. The discussion touches on the importance of honouring one’s roots while also embracing the fluidity of identity, especially in a multicultural society like Canada.A significant part of the episode is devoted to Sadiqa’s creative process. She emphasizes the vital role of feeling and intuition in her writing, explaining how she tunes into her emotional landscape to access deeper truths. Sadiqa offers practical advice for writers at various stages of their writing careers. She advocates for the practice of attentiveness—being fully present and observant in everyday life—as a wellspring for creative inspiration. She also highlights the value for writers of keeping a notebook and journaling, not just as a records of events, but as a tools for exploring thoughts, emotions, and sensory experiences in greater depth.In addition to writing, Sadiqa says that drawing and other visual arts can enhance a writer’s powers of observation. She encourages writers to experiment with sketching as a way to slow down, notice details, and engage with the world in a more mindful way. This holistic approach to creativity, she suggests, can lead to richer, more authentic work.Sadiqa explores the intersection of art, identity, and mindful living. She discusses how writing can be a form of self-discovery and a means of forging connections across cultural boundaries. Her insights will give listeners a deeper appreciation for what's involved in essay writing, and particularly essays infused with poetry, as well as strategies for cultivating creativity and self-awareness. Discover Sadiqa de Meijer’s unique perspective on writing, identity, and the power of mindful observation. Links:Sadiqa's Q&A with Oncreativewriting.com.The long poem Sadiqa references: The Conference of the Brids.One of the essays Sadiqa reads from is, 'After Etty', is about Etty Hillesum, the Jewish-Dutch diarist who was imprissoned in Kamp Westerbork and then murdered at Auschwiz concentration camp on November 30, 1943.The essays titled 'Dwaallichtjes': Dwaallichtjes is the Dutch term for the eerie-looking lights hovering over bogs and swamps that are usually the result of swamp gas (e.g. methane) oxidizing in the dark. In Dutch folklore tales, dwaaslichtjes are described as the souls of unbaptized children, mischievous elves, or spirits of the dead attempting to lead unwary travelers into danger. Read more, or listen here. (English term: Will-o'the-wisp).The film Sadiqa mentions which influenced the poem 'Living Rooms of Qaf' from her new collection Qaf's People is Universal Language.

On Hollay Ghadery's The Unravelling of Ou, “Wildly original and captivating. A phenomenal examination of female shame, sexuality, queerness, motherhood, and intimacy, Hollay Ghadery writes with sensitivity and resonating beauty through an unconventional narrator: a sock puppet, Ecology Paul, who delivers the emotional coming-of-age tale of young Minoo with whimsy and emotional depth" - Lindsay Wong, author of Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies."I've not read a book like this or or similar to it. It is so different. It's deep, it's moving, and it explores so many important themes"  - Host Sheelagh Caygill in this episode.In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, host Sheelagh Caygill speaks with acclaimed Canadian author Hollay Ghadery about her debut novel, The Unraveling of Ou (Palimpsest Press, 2026). Hollay tells listeners about the inspiration and creative work behind the book, which tells the story of Minoo, an Iranian woman forced into exile in Canada. Separated from her infant child and parents, Minoo finds herself navigating a new country, loneliness, grief, her sexuality, and the lingering trauma of her past. As she struggles to adapt, Minoo develops an unusual relationship with a sock puppet named Ecology Paul, who becomes a confidant and a lifeline as she attempts to piece together her fractured sense of self.Hollay discusses the novel’s central themes, which include shame, identity, queerness, exile, motherhood, attachments, and the pervasive influence of patriarchy. She touches on how her own experiences as a woman of Iranian descent living in Canada informed parts of the emotional landscape of the novel, and how she aimed to portray the psychological toll of displacement and cultural dislocation. The discussion also touches on the ways in which shame can shape and distort our sense of self, particularly for women and mothers who are often judged by impossible societal standards.Hollay offers listeners a look at her writing style, which is strongly influenced by her poetic style and blends lyrical prose with raw emotional honesty. She discusses her approach to character development, the importance of voice, and the challenges of writing about difficult subjects such as mental health, isolation, and the search for belonging. Hollay and Sheelagh explore the significance of Ecology Paul, the sock puppet, as both a symbol of Minoo’s resilience and a manifestation of her inner turmoil. Hollay explains how the puppet serves as a coping mechanism for Minoo, allowing her to externalize her fears and anxieties in a way that is both creative and heartbreaking.In addition to discussing The Unraveling of Ou, Hollay gives listeners previews of her upcoming projects: A forthcoming children’s book, Being With the Birds, which is slated for release with Guernica Editions in 2027, and a collection of travel essays set in Ontario, in which she explores the landscapes, communities, and hidden stories of the province through a personal lens. This episode offers listeners insights into Hollay's creative experiences and inspirations that shape her work, and the universal themes that resonate throughout her writing. Hollay is based in Ontario, Canada and is an author and book publicist with the company she founded, River Street Writing.Links:Mentioned in the episode: Old Women at Play, by Adele Wiseman.Read Hollay Ghadery's Q&A interview at On Creative Writing.Listen to Hollay Ghadery discuss her memoir, Fuse.Episode with guidance for writers on book publicity from Hollay Ghadery.Hollay's published works are:Fuse (2021, Guernica Editions)Rebellion Box (2023, Radiant Press)The Blades of Grass are Dreaming (2025, Anstruther Press)Widow Fantasies (2024, Gordon Hill Press)The Unravelling of Ou (2026, Palimpsest Press)Being with the Birds (2027, Guernica Editions)

In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host Su Chan sits down with debut novelist Ann Cavlovic to discuss her powerful and timely novel, Count On Me, published by Guernica Editions in 2025. Su is also an author and her debut novel The Immortal Woman was published in 2025 by House of Anansi.Count on Me centers on Tia Pysar, a mother who finds herself at the crossroads of caregiving, financial responsibility, and family conflict as her parents age. The novel delves deeply into the often-unspoken realities of the sandwich generation—those who are simultaneously caring for their children and their aging parents. Through Tia’s experiences, Ann explores the complexities of intergenerational trauma, the emotional and logistical challenges of elder care, and the subtle but devastating forms of elder abuse that can occur within families.Ann reveals how her background in economics and her own personal experiences as a caregiver informed the novel’s narrative and themes. She discusses the ways in which financial control and dependency can become tools of manipulation or even abuse, and how these issues are frequently overlooked both in literature and in real life. Ann’s nuanced portrayal of elder abuse—ranging from neglect to more insidious forms of control—invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about aging, vulnerability, and the responsibilities we owe to our loved ones.One of the most striking aspects of Count On Me is its willingness to tackle subjects that are rarely explored in contemporary fiction. Elder abuse and end-of-life care are topics that many people shy away from, both in their personal lives and in the stories they choose to read. There is a cultural reluctance to face the realities of aging and the difficult decisions that come with it, and as Ann and Su discuss, this silence can perpetuate cycles of harm and misunderstanding. By bringing these issues to the forefront, Ann hopes to spark honest conversations about what it means to care for our elders, how to recognize and prevent abuse, and how to prepare—emotionally and financially—for the inevitable changes that come with aging.Ann shares her disciplined writing process, explaining how she managed to craft a novel while balancing the demands of single motherhood and a professional career. She offers practical advice for writers who are juggling multiple responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals, carving out dedicated writing time, and seeking support from friends and family.Throughout the episode, Su and Ann reflect on the power of fiction to illuminate difficult subjects and foster empathy. They discuss how novels like Count On Me can serve as catalysts for change, encouraging readers to examine their own family dynamics and to have the tough conversations that are so often avoided. Ann’s hope is that her book will not only entertain but also educate and empower readers to take proactive steps in their own lives—whether that means checking in on an elderly relative, seeking legal advice about power of attorney, or simply starting a dialogue about aging and care.This episode of On Creative Writing is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of literature, family, and social issues. Ann Cavlovic’s Count On Me is a brave and compassionate exploration of topics that are too often left in the shadows, and her conversation with Su Chang offers valuable insights for writers, caregivers, and readers alike. This episode underscores how fiction can shine a light on the realities we’d rather not face—and why it’s so important that we do.Links: Ann CavlovicCount on MeAnn Cavlovic on writingSu ChangThe Immortal WomanSu Chang on writing.