Write On with Vanda Symon

Tracey Slaughter - Indepth interview with Tracey Slaughter - This month Beverly talks frankly with multi award winning short story writer, poet and essayist Tracey Slaughter about her game-changing Editing workshop (held here in Dunedin as part of the NZSA regional roadshow) They also discuss the 'high risk, high rewards' of striving for 'truth' in writing fiction, along with practical ways to remain kind to yourself (and your work) while doing that. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Writers and Writing - This month Beverly interviews visiting writer Cristina Sanders (author of 'Jerningham' and 'Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant') about her latest novel Okiwi Brown. They also discuss the joys and challenges of writing historic (colonial) fiction, and why one should always examine and question source data. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Exciting Upcoming Dunedin Literary Events - This month, Beverly shares details on the plethora of literary events happening in Dunedin in the next few weeks. These include reader events at UBS, the Small Press Fest, and an all-day Janet Frame Symposium. Branch chair Michelle Elvy also shares tantalising details about our National Poetry Day event on August 23rd, and Vanda Symon gives us the rundown on NZSA's Regional Roadshow (coming up September 7th) along with the inside scoop on her latest Sam Shephard crime novel 'Prey'. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Talking about Books and Writing - This month Beverly chats to the 2024 University of Otago College of Education Creative NZ Children's Writer in Residence, Feana Tu'akoi, about what she's been working on during her time in Dunedin, and why portraying Tongan and Palangi characters is at the heart of her work. Next, Beverly discusses an eclectic, absorbing, range of recommended winter reads with UBS's book buyer, Ina Kinski, along with details of upcoming events at the bookshop, Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Interesting interview with local authors - Beverly chats with two acclaimed writers: Penelope Todd and Majella Cullinane about their new books: a novel, and poetry collection, respectively, with the common theme of Matriarchy. Firstly, Penelope shares the challenges and delights of writing about the life and times of her grandmother, "Nell" while Majella's third poetry collection, "Meantime" (dedicated to her Irish mam), traverses dealing with grief and loss half an uncrossable world away- during the Covid-19 pandemic. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Interviewing Southern writers - This month I chat with Kathryn Van Beek (one of the editors) and Carolijn Guytonbeck (one of the contributors) to "OTHERHOOD" an important new anthology of essays by women who for a myriad of reasons are NOT mothers in the traditional, societally-expected sense. Then I catch up with acclaimed Central Otago children's author Kyle Mewburn, about the long and winding road to publishing her 'first' adult novel 'SEWING MOONLIGHT' Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

In-depth interviews with NZ writers and their work - This month Beverly chats with prolific author Karen McMillan, about her new historical romance ('Turbulent Threads') set in Victorian Dunedin. Then she has an in-depth catch up with 2024 Burns' Fellow, Mikaela Nyman (who writes in both English and Swedish) about her creative priorities for the year ahead. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Creatives involved in the Dunedin Fringe Festival - My first guest is Professional Theatre Maker Cindy Diver, who is directing 'LAVVIES2' in this year's Festival. We chat about the show's specifics plus the challenges of presenting it in a non-theatre space. Then we delve back into some of the highlights of Cindy's 30+ year creative career - such as her award-winning verbatim play 'The Keys are in the Margarine' (about dementia), and her two heart-warming Lockdown response projects: 'Resilience' and' Random Acts of Art' Then, in support of Pride Month I replay my interview with Dr Chris Brickell, who co-edited The Robert Lord Diaries. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

News and views about local writers - This month Beverly chats with the exec director of the Michel King Writers' Centre, Jan McEwen, about the beautiful Signalman's Cottage in Devonport where the Centre is based, the various writers' residencies the Centre offers, along with the wider opportunities to also stay and write there as a visiting writer. Beverly's second guest is the inimitable Otago-based writer, poet and performer Liz Breslin. Liz's pressing mission is to attend a Language Conference in Boston next month, but we also discuss her wider creative practice. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

This month Beverly chats with UBS Emerging Writer in Residence, and poet-activist, Dr April-Rose Geers about the complex creative nonfiction memoir she will be working on while in Dunedin. Then, later in the show, Beverly chats with out-going 2023 Burns' Fellow Kathryn Van Beek who reflects on the highs, lows, challenges (and pressures) of this unique year-long creative opportunity. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Interviewing Local Writers - This month Beverly talks with regional historian and journalist Ian Dougherty, who has written over 30 books about local figures, families and organisations, including his latest updated book: The Steepest Street in the World... Baldwin Street here in Dunedin. This is followed by a chat with UBS's Retail Manager, Anna Hoek-Sims, and her recommendations of the perfect novels and memoirs to enjoy at the bach or the beach over the Summer Break. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Dr Chris Brickell and Kitty Brown with Jen Stokes Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Dr Susan Wardell and Vanda Symon Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Barbara Else and Michelle Elvy - Vanda chats to Barbara Else about her book Laughing in The Dark and Michelle Elvy about A Kind of Shelter Whakaruru-taha. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Rachel Stedman and Kathryn van Beek. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

David Eggleton and David Elliot. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Sue Wootton and Daphne Lee - Vanda chats to Sue Wootton, publisher at Otago University Press and Daphne Lee talks about her Fossil treasures of Foulden Maar book. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Neville Peat and DWARF 2021 Ngaio Marsh. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Laurence Fearney and Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Daphne Lee and Witi Ihimaera (Part 3) - Daphne Lee discusses her new book Fossil Treasures of Foulden Maar. We have the third installment of my talk with Witi Ihimaera at the NZSA Roadshow in New Plymouth. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

New Zealand Society of Authors - New Plymouth Roadshow - Witi Ihimaera. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Featuring interviews with University Bookshop's book buyer Bronwyn Wylie Gibb and author Paddy Richardson about her new book Through the Lonesome Dark Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Lindy Cameron (Dark Deeds Down Under) and Craig Sisterson (Southern Cross Crime) Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Today's first guest is Saskia Leek, talking about her book Bordering on Miraculous, a collaboration with Lynley Edmeades. Today's second guest is Oamaru writer Robert Sutherland, who has a new poetry collection out, "Tūnui | Comet", his first in more than a decade Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

RWR McDonald and David Howard Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Liam McIlvanney and Alan Roddick - Liam McIlvanney talks about his new novel The Heretic and Alan Roddick talks about his new poetry collection (Next: Poems 2016-2021). Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Jenny Powell and Garth Cameron Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Emma Neale and Chris Brickell - Vanda chats to - Emma Neale about her book "The Pink Jumpsuit" and Chris Brickell about his book "James Courage Diaries". Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Jindra Tich'y and Gay Buckingham - Vanda talks to Jindra about her memoir "Prague in my Bones" and Gay about her novel "Kakapo Keeper". Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

David Eggleton and Kyle Mewburn - Vanda chats to David about his book called The Wilder Years and also Kyle chats about her book called Faking it. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Iona Winter and Athol Parks. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Victor Billot and Rachel Scott Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Raymond Huber and Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Dougal Rillstone - Upstream on the Mataura and Jude Thomas Threads of Gold. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Rhian Gallagher and Nicola Cummings Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Claire Beynon, Maxine Alterio, Carolyn McCurdie and replay of Renee Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Kay McKenzie Cooke and Emily Duncan Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Breton Dukes and Diane Brown Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Renee and Rob McDonald - Renee talks about her new novel "The Wild Card" and Rob talks about his novel "The Nancy's" Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Laurence Fearnley, Book Awards and Reviews Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Bronwyn Wylie Gibb and Chris Else Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz