On Creative Writing

Host Sheelagh Caygill sits down with James Cairns, an author and professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, to discuss publicizing his essay collection, In Crisis, On Crisis: Essays in Troubled Times, published by Wolsak and Wynn.Until this book was released, James' books were mostly academic texts, and so this was the first time James was closely involved in a busy publicity campaign, co-ordinated by River Street Writing. They examine River Street's strategies that helped James successfully promote In Crisis, On Crisis, offering actionable advice for authors at any stage of their careers. James emphasizes the importance of having a clear publicity plan, tailored to the book’s themes and intended audience. He highlights how working with a professional publicist amplified his book's reach, and also notes that authors themselves play a crucial role in the process.James' simple observations about podcast interviews are really helpful! He says audiences really just want to like a guest and learn about a topic, so be personable and engaging from the start. If podcast interviews feel intimidating at first, feel free to ask a podcast host what they might ask, or if they can send example questions. He also invested time in coming up with about ten questions coming up with questions he imagined a host or interviewer might ask about his book, and then he drafted the answers to those potential questions. This, he says, gave him confidence and with experience he knew when to cut in or could figure out where a conversation may go.Local engagement emerges as a key theme, with James recounting how connecting with independent bookstores, libraries, and community organizations has been instrumental in building grassroots support for his book. He encourages authors to participate in local readings, festivals, and book events, noting that these events not only boost visibility but also foster meaningful connections with readers. James also discusses the value of writing essays and op-eds related to the book’s subject matter, which can attract new audiences and establish the author as a thought leader in their field.Social media is another powerful tool in the modern author’s publicity toolkit. James shares his approach to using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to engage with readers, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of his writing process, and promote upcoming events. He advises writers to be authentic and consistent in their online presence, and to interact with followers in a genuine way.James explains why he doesn't have an author website, instead relying on his page on the university website, while Sheelagh presents the pros of an author website. Throughout the episode, James offers practical, real-world advice for writers navigating the complexities of book promotion. From collaborating with publicists and media professionals to building relationships within the literary community, his insights provide a roadmap for authors seeking to maximize their book’s impact. Whether you’re preparing to launch your debut or looking to reinvigorate your publicity efforts, this episode is packed with tips and inspiration to help your book find its audience.Mentioned in the interview:In The Field, by Sadiqa de Meijer, published by Palimpsest Press.James' Q&A with On Creative Writing.James' podcast episode exploring the writing of In Crisis, On Crisis: Essays In Troubled Times.James Cairns on Instagram.

Guest host Kim Mannix, author of the new poetry collection Confirm Humanity, is excited to tell you all that the On Creative Writing Poetry Contest is officially OPEN!The Poetry Contest is giving $300 Canadian for the first prize, and $100 Canadian for the runner-up!Here’s what you need to know:● Who can enter? Anyone, anywhere in the world.● What are we looking for? Original poems in English. Any subject, any style.● The fine print: Your poem must be unpublished and no longer than 50 lines.● Entry fee: Just $5 Canadian per poem, and you can enter as many times as you like.Now, a few words about the judges and the sponsors. Your poem will be judged by a stellar panel: poet and professor Rob Winger, Kim Mannix, a poet and author of a new collection called Confirm Humanity, and On Creative Writing’s Sheelagh Caygill.Not least, a big thank you to poetry contest sponsors, Wolsak and Wynn publishers and River Street Writing author and book publicity firm, for making this poetry contest possible.The entry deadline will be here soon! Mark your calendar, set a reminder, tattoo it on your arm—just don't miss it!The deadline is Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. Mountain Time.Stop waiting for inspiration and start submitting! We can't wait to read your entry.If you’re a lover of poetry, we have another contest you’ll want to know about. This contest is for a hard copy of award-winning poet Kim Fahner’s new collection, The Pollination Field. This beautiful book has been provided by the publisher, Turnstone Press. The contest for Kim’s book closes on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 11 a.m Mountain time.Enter both contests at Oncreativewriting.com. Thanks, and good luck everyone!

By Sheelagh CaygillThe Writer's Spark Coaching Competition is designed for creative writers who need that extra push, that spark to reignite their passion and move forward with their work.Have you ever felt stuck in your writing? Maybe you're wrestling with your first draft, or you've lost momentum on a project that once excited you. Maybe self-doubt has crept in, or life has simply gotten in the way. If any of this sounds familiar, this competition might be exactly what you need.The competition offers one writer a prize including sessions with a writing coach, editing, a one-year free membership with Brain.fm, and a Q & A interview with On Creative Writing. This prize is about transformation. It's about getting the professional support and tools you need to move your writing forward.If you know you have a bit of talent within you—that unique combination of observation, imagination, and perspective that only you can bring to your work—but your spark is diminished, then I want you to enter. The prizeFirst, you'll receive two one-hour coaching sessions with Fiona Fenwick, a professional coach and mentor based in New Zealand who specializes in helping creative writers reconnect with their creative energy, focus, and clarity. In your first Zoom session with Fiona, you'll discuss and explore your goals, challenges, and any obstacles getting in your way. Are there habits preventing your progress? Fiona will help you find solutions and provide actionable recommendations. Then, three to four months later, you'll have a follow-up session for continued support. Plus, Fiona will be available for email support as needed throughout the process.Fiona specializes in helping writers overcome self-doubt and build sustainable writing habits. Her coaching is truly a lifeline for anyone navigating the ups and downs of the creative process. Listen to a simulated coaching session with Fiona in my interview with her in the episode titled How a writing coach helps creative writers become unstuck, released Sept. 23 2025.You'll receive a free full year subscription to Brain.fm. This isn't just background music. Brain.fm's music is scientifically engineered to work with your brainwaves to help you focus, relax, sleep, or meditate.The third component is two hours of professional editing and feedback from me. As an experienced journalist and creative writer, I'll tailor the editing to your specific needs. You might want to divide the time into two sessions—I can review your work first, then we'll discuss my feedback over Zoom. Or you can use me as an alpha or beta reader, and I'll send you a detailed report. Finally, you'll have the opportunity to be featured in a Writers Reveal Q&A interview here at On Creative Writing. You'll also be promoted through our newsletter and social media platforms. It's a wonderful opportunity to share your story and connect with our community of readers and writers.To enter you need to have reached the age of majority in your country or jurisdiction. You'll need to answer two questions. The first question asks why you deserve to win. This is the answer that Fiona and I will evaluate, based on how well it's written—we'll consider spelling and grammar, use of language, persuasiveness, and writing style.The second question asks you to describe your project in 300 to 700 characters. Tell us about the genre, the subject, whether you've started, and if you have a deadline. The entry fee is just $6 dollars Canadian to cover administrative costs. You can pay through our Ko-fi page when you submit your entry. Entries, coaching, and editing sessions will be in English.Deadline: Friday, December 19th, 2025 at eleven a.m. Mountain Standard Time.If you're in a creative rut, dealing with writer's block, or need motivation to push through, this prize will help!Enter here: https://www.oncreativewriting.com/writers-spark-coaching-contest

In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host and poet Kim Mannix sits down with acclaimed Canadian author C.J. Levigne to explore her post-apolyptic novella, The Drowned Man’s Daughter. C.J. shares the origins of the book, which came out of her experiences with climate grief and a sense of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes how these experiences, combined with her fascination for the rugged beauty of the Nova Scotia coastline, shaped the novella’s evocative setting—a small, weather-beaten fishing village teetering on the edge of environmental collapse.C.J. offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at her writing process, revealing how she balances meticulous research with moments of creative spontaneity. She discusses the challenges of editing The Drowned Man’s Daughter, particularly when it came to maintaining narrative tension and emotional resonance in a shorter format. Kim and C.J. discuss the novella’s unique blend of speculative genres, including elements of magical realism, folklore, and eco-fiction. C.J. explains how she wove together these threads to create a story that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary, reflecting anxieties about climate change while also drawing on the mythic traditions of the Atlantic coast.The episode also highlights C.J.’s experience working with NeWest Press’s Barbour Books imprint, which is focused on acquiring speculative fiction. C.J. talks about collaborating with Barbour’s new editor, Jenna Butler, whose keen editorial eye and passion for innovative storytelling helped shape the final manuscript. She shares anecdotes from the editing process, including tough decisions about what to cut and what to expand, and how Jenna’s feedback pushed her to deepen the core of the story.C.J. works full-time and mentions the "bl**dy mindedness" she employed to finish The Drowned Man’s Daughter, working from initial drafts through rounds of revision and the uncertainties of submitting to publishers. She emphasizes the importance of research—not just into the environmental science that underpins the novella’s world, but also into the folklore and oral histories of coastal communities. Kim and C.J. touch on the role of community in the novella and on how isolation and connection are mirrored in both the story and the author’s own creative journey.Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of blending genres, including dystopian fiction, building immersive settings, and working with a supportive editorial team. It is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of literature, place, and pressing contemporary themes.Host Kim Mannix is a poet who has just released her debut collection, Confirm Humanity. Read Kim's interview with On Creative Writing.

Author Saad Omar Khan, a Pakistani Canadian writer and the author of the acclaimed debut novel Drinking the Ocean, joins host Sheelagh Caygill for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about his writing and his book.Saad was born in the United Arab Emirates to Pakistani parents and lived in the Philippines, Hong Kong, London, and South Korea before immigrating to Canada. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the London School of Economics and has completed a certificate in Creative Writing from the School of Continuing Studies (University of Toronto) where he was a finalist for the Random House Creative Writing Award (2010 and 2011) and for the Marina Nemat Award (2012).Saad shares insights into his multicultural upbringing and how his cosmopolitan upbringing has shaped both his view of the world and his writing. He reflects on the complexities and richness of navigating cultures, and how these experiences inform the characters, settings, and themes in his writing.Listeners will hear a reading from Drinking the Ocean, where Saad brings to life the emotional depth and lyrical prose that have won him praise for this debut. He reflects on the literary influences that have shaped his voice, and discusses how he sought a balance of perspective for the characters of Murad and Sofi in Drinking the Ocean.Saad strives to authentically portray the nuances of faith, mental health, and culture in his fiction. He discusses how he aims to represent these themes with honesty and sensitivity, avoiding stereotypes and instead offering multidimensional characters who grapple with real-life challenges. He shares his writing process, through to revisiions, and talks about the authors and books that have influenced him.We touch on balancing a full-time professional career with creative writing. Saad offers advice for writers who are juggling multiple responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of discipline, time management, and self-compassion. He also highlights the role of literary communities—both online and in-person—in providing support, feedback, and a sense of belonging for writers at all stages of their careers.The episode also explores the complexities of love, identity, and belonging, as Saad discusses how fiction can be a powerful tool for empathy and understanding. Saad offers a look at the challenges and rewards of writing about topics that are deeply personal yet universally relatable.Find Saad Omar Khan online.Drinking the Ocean is published by Wolsak and Wynn.Read Saad Omar Khan's interview at On Creative Writing.