The Artsy Raven Podcast about Writing and Art with host JF Garrard

JF Garrard
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JF Garrard (writer, editor and publisher) has frank conversations with writers, editors, publishers, artists, actors, directors and other art professionals about what inspires them to create and what led to their success. Writers on the podcast will showcase their work by reading from their book. Main Artsy Raven website with access to 100+ episodes: https://artsyraven.com/ Artsy Raven merch: https://darkhelixpress.com/merchandise The Artsy Raven is on Feed Spot’s list of Top 60 Literature Podcasts & Top 10 Canadian Literature Podcasts on the web.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep163A Creating Characters That Stay with Robin Blackburn McBride

    Robin Blackburn McBride talks about the differences between writing novels and poetry, why she chose to set River of Dreams in a 1920s mental institution, and what makes a character memorable to readers. Robin Blackburn McBride is the author of two novels, Riverof Dreams and The Shining Fragments, and a book of poetry, In Green, all published by Guernica Editions. Her short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of North American literary magazines. Find Robin on Substack at Awakening Wonder. In this episode, Robin reads from River of Dreams. Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/river-of-dreams Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠   You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_Q Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQ Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968   2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠   3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠   4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep163A Creating Characters That Stay with Robin Blackburn McBride

  2. 2d ago

    Ep163 The Friend and Enemy Within with Judith Kerman

    Judith Kerman discusses how writing workshops help authors grow, the inspiration behind A Hard Frost—a poetry collection exploring aging, disability, resilience, and spirituality—and why she compares the critical mind to a golden retriever that can become either your best friend oryour worst enemy. Judith Kerman is a poet and multi-artist (singer, performer,and crafter). She has published eleven books and chapbooks of poetry, most recently Definitions (Fomite Press, 2021), along with three books of translations. Committed to publishing and literary community building, she founded Earth’s Daughters magazine in 1971 and went on to establishMayapple Press in 1978, which she continues to run today. Kerman earned her Ph.D. in English from the University ofBuffalo. As a Fulbright Scholar to the Dominican Republic in 2000, she translated the poetry and fiction of Dominican women and designed a website for the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, expanding access to underrepresented voicesand histories. After a career in university teaching and administration, she retired to Woodstock, NY, where she remains an active force in the literary world by overseeing Mayapple Press, coordinating online poetry workshops, andleading annual writers’ retreats. In this episode, Judith reads from A Hard Frost. Author website: https://judithkerman.wordpress.com/ Book link: https://www.broadstonebooks.com/shop/p/a-hard-frost-poetry-by-judith-kerman Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠   You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_Q Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQ Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠   3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠   4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep163 The Friend and Enemy Within with Judith Kerman

  3. Oct 9

    Ep162A Marketing Mystery and Gothic with Ed Seaward

    Ed Seaward discusses the inspiration behind writing aGothic novel set in London, Ontario, whether marketing at book fairs can help authors reach new readers, and how plot keeps a mystery moving. Ed Seaward’s novel London Gothic will be published by Dark Winter Press in October, 2026. His debut novel Fair was published in 2020 by The Porcupine’s Quill. Awarded the Silver Medal in Urban Fiction by the 2021 Independent Book Awards, Fair was also shortlisted for the Canadian Authors Association’s 2021 Fred Kerner Award. His screenplay, Mother Daughter Happiness was a finalist at the 2019 Pasadena International Film Festival. Ed’s web publication Profiles From The Bright Side Of TheRoad features writers, actors, artists, environmentalists, family and friends. The Newfoundland family series, “It’s Sharpe to Stay Home”, was republished by Downhome Magazine. After 30 years in the corporate world, Ed now writes full-time. He and his wife Barb live in Georgetown, Ontario. Ed’s previous Artsy Raven episode link (Ep 4): https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard/posts/ep4-writing-in-49613441 In this episode, Ed reads from London Gothic. Book link: https://edseaward.com/london-gothic/ Author site: https://edseaward.com/ Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep162A Marketing Mystery and Gothic with Ed Seaward

  4. Oct 9

    Ep162 Language, Literature, and Discipline with V. N. Alexander

    V. N. Alexander shares how her academic career has enrichedher fiction, why language itself fascinates her, and the role discipline plays in sustaining a creative practice. About the Author V. N. Alexander has published threeliterary fiction novels— Smoking Hopes (recipient of Washington Prize for Fiction), Naked Singularity (a Dallas Observer's “Best of 2003” book), and Locus Amoenus (a Dayton Literary Peace Prize nominee). In addition to her literary credentials, Alexander is an authority on VladimirNabokov’s theory of butterfly mimicry, she is a 2020 Fulbright Scholar in Russia, a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center alum, and a former Public Scholar for the New York Council for the Humanities. In this episode, V. N. reads from The Girlie Playhouse. Book link: https://heresy-press.com/product/the-girlie-playhouse-by-v-n-alexander/ Author Site: https://vnalexander.com/the-girlie-playhouse/ Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep162 Language, Literature, and Discipline with V. N. Alexander

  5. Oct 5

    Ep161A From Street Dance to Acting with Russell Lee

    Russell Lee shares how his journey from street dancing ledhim to acting, what he learned from his acting debut, and why telling stories that inspire and empower others matters. Russell Lee is a Filipino-Chinese Canadian actor and movement artist from Penticton, B.C. Russell makes his feature-film acting debut in Mina Shum’s Whatcha Want. His previous screen credits include Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Descendants 2 & 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.  Russell Lee Instagram: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/___russ.___/ Whatcha Want film info: https://www.mongrelmedia.com/index.php/filmlink?id=5b229c7d-7050-f011-ba5c-0efdbb9167fd#synopsissection Film Screenings at VIFF (Oct 2, 7, 11) https://viff.org/whats-on/viff26-whatcha-want/ Ricepaper Magazine article on TIFF which mentions WhatchaWant: https://ricepapermagazine.ca/2026/09/tiff-2026-dispatch-toward-a-centenary-of-splendour/ Whatcha Want synopsis: Transplanted from Hong Kong to Vancouver on a temporaryvisa, Yin Tse (Isabella Wei, Bridgerton), a restless trophy wife, rises above her absentee husband’s infidelity by rekindling her passion for dancing. A chance encounter brings Yin under the wing of dance studio owner Penny (Helen Dang), who helps her train for an audition at an elite dance program. But when Yin’s wealthy husband (Hugh Tran) returns from Hong Kong, she is forced to choose between material comfort and the freedom to be herself. Manifesting the rhythm and charm of Vancouver’s citystreets, this earnest drama from acclaimed writer-director Mina Shum (Meditation Park, VIFF 2017) brings a zesty hip-hop flavour to her signature themes of self-discovery, personal liberation, and female solidarity in the Asiandiaspora. Luminaries Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) and Tzi Ma (The Farewell) provide gravitas and comic relief, while the film’s charismatic cast of dancers delight us with their dazzling choreography. A tribute to the joys of self-expression through movement, Whatcha Want will have your heart doing backflips. Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep161A From Street Dance to Acting with Russell Lee

  6. Oct 2

    Ep161 Inspiration is All Around Us with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

    Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich discusses why diversity isessential in the publishing industry, what draws her to writing for children, and why writers should to outside their homes to find inspiration in the world around them. Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the award-winning author of several children’s books, a member of The Brown Bookshelf, and former Board member of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB). She is a two-time African American Literature Book Club bestseller and edited the WNDB anthology The Hero Next Door. She’s contributed to several collections, was recently commissioned to write the Operation Sisterhood stage adaptation, and has written for various outlets, including PBS Parents, and classic hip-hop fanzines, like the iconic Right On! and Word Up!. Olugbemisola hasworked extensively in youth development; she was twice awarded a public service fellowship from the Echoing Green for her work with girls and was the 2024 writer-in-residence at Bank Street School for Children. Olugbemisola lives withher family in New York City where she writes, makes things, and needs to get more sleep. Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Daisy-Helps-with-the-Dress/Olugbemisola-Rhuday-Perkovich/9781665983426 Author site: https://www.olugbemisolabooks.com/ Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep161 Inspiration is All Around Us with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

  7. Sep 25

    Ep160A How Observation Shapes Characters with Jessica Rao

    Jessica Rao explains why she transitioned from journalism tofiction, what drew her to explore the 1990s in Nowhere to Go but Everywhere, and how observing people helps her create authentic characters. Jessica Rao is an award-winning journalist and mediaprofessional who has held contributor roles at CNBC and Gannett and overseen communications for Fortune 500 companies. In addition to her media career, she is the Vice President of the White Plains Library Foundation and she hosts and produces literary events. She lives outside of New York City with her family. In this episode, Jessica reads from Nowhere to Go butEverywhere. Author site: https://jessicarao.com/books Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep160A How Observation Shapes Characters with Jessica Rao

  8. Sep 25

    Ep160 The Recipe for Great Horror with Ryan Douglass

    Ryan Douglass talks about writing across different genres,the seasonal treats he bakes, and what makes a horror story unforgettable. Ryan Douglass is the author of young adult horror novel The Taking of Jake Livingston, a New York Times bestseller and an ALA Rainbow Book List Pick; The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay, a reimagining of The Great Gatsby set in 1920s Harlem; and Night of Madness, a collaboration with the company behind Clown in a Cornfield. His work explores the ways young people fight to survive in hostile worlds. He lives in Atlanta with his dog and spends his free time baking ambitious desserts and scoping out true crime documentaries. In this episode, Ryan reads from Night of Madness. Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Night-of-Madness/Ryan-Douglass/9781665983044 Author website: https://www.ryandouglasswriter.com/night-of-madness Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by: 1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip:⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    Ep160 The Recipe for Great Horror with Ryan Douglass
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JF Garrard (writer, editor and publisher) has frank conversations with writers, editors, publishers, artists, actors, directors and other art professionals about what inspires them to create and what led to their success. Writers on the podcast will showcase their work by reading from their book. Main Artsy Raven website with access to 100+ episodes: https://artsyraven.com/ Artsy Raven merch: https://darkhelixpress.com/merchandise The Artsy Raven is on Feed Spot’s list of Top 60 Literature Podcasts & Top 10 Canadian Literature Podcasts on the web.

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