<p>On Hollay Ghadery&#39;s <em>The Unravelling of Ou, </em>“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&quot; - Lindsay Wong,<em> </em>author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/677140/villain-hitting-for-vicious-little-nobodies-by-lindsay-wong/9780735242418" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><em>Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>&quot;I&#39;ve not read a book like this or or similar to it. It is so different. It&#39;s deep, it&#39;s moving, and it explores so many important themes&quot;  - <a href="https://www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/episode/3b69c667/a-novel-about-exile-shame-sexuality-love-and-a-sock-puppet" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Host Sheelagh Caygill in this episode</a>.</p><p>In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, host Sheelagh Caygill speaks with acclaimed Canadian author <a href="https://www.hollayghadery.ca/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Hollay Ghadery</a> about her debut novel, <a href="https://palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-unravelling-of-ou-hollay-ghadery/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"><em>The Unraveling of Ou</em></a> (Palimpsest Press, 2026). </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>In addition to discussing <em>The Unraveling of Ou</em>, Hollay gives listeners previews of her upcoming projects: A forthcoming children’s book, <em>Being With the Birds, </em>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. </p><p>This episode offers listeners insights into Hollay&#39;s creative experiences and inspirations that shape her work, and the universal themes that resonate throughout her writing. </p><p>Hollay is based in Ontario, Canada and is an author and book publicist with the company she founded, River Street Writing.</p><p>Links:</p><p>Mentioned in the episode: <a href="https://www.riverstreetwriting.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Old Women at Play, by Adele Wiseman</a>.</p><p>Read <a href="https://www.oncreativewriting.com/post/hollay-ghadery-writing-irrevocably-feminist-rooted-in-domestic-sphere" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Hollay Ghadery&#39;s Q&amp;A interview at On Creative Writing</a>.</p><p>Listen to <a href="https://www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/episode/259ac8ad/writing-to-explore-identity-family-and-mental-health-hollay-ghadery-on-her-memoir-fuse" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Hollay Ghadery discuss her memoir, <em>Fuse</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>Episode with <a href="https://www.oncreativewriting.com/podcast-1/episode/254910b8/how-authors-can-promote-their-books-in-a-competitive-landscape" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">guidance for writers on book publicity from Hollay Ghadery</a>.</p><p>Hollay&#39;s published works are:</p><p><em>Fuse </em>(<a href="https://guernicaeditions.com/products/fuse?srsltid=AfmBOor04OLGYdQVqlExt6vFtivdSBBoT_3Lvge-drBQFaQdqtk5Bo1Z" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">2021, Guernica Editions</a>)</p><p><em>Rebellion Box</em> (2023, <a href="https://radiantpress.ca/shop/p/rebellion-box" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Radiant Press</a>)</p><p><em>The Blades of Grass are Dreaming</em> (2025, <a href="https://www.anstrutherpress.com/new-products/the-blades-of-grass-are-dreaming-by-hollay-ghadery" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Anstruther Press)</a></p><p><em>Widow Fantasies</em> (2024, <a href="https://ghp-pql.com/products/widow-fantasies" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Gordon Hill Press</a>)</p><p><em>The Unravelling of Ou</em> (2026, <a href="https://palimpsestpress.ca/books/the-unravelling-of-ou-hollay-ghadery/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Palimpsest Press</a>)</p><p><em>Being with the Birds</em> (2027, Guernica Editions)</p>