Red Hen Radio

Red Hen Press

Sharing to a community of readers and writers who are actively engaged in the essential human practice known as literature

  1. May 7

    The Benefits of Independent Publishing for New and Emerging Writers

    Our very own Tobi Harper Petrie sits down with Red Hen Press authors Laura Kasischke (The Lifeguard) and Khanh Ha (The Afterlife of a Threadbare Jester) for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of publishing with an independent press. Laura and Khanh share insights into their latest novels, their unique creative processes, and why independent presses continue to be essential spaces for bold, literary, and unconventional work. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a seasoned author, or a curious reader, this episode is a reminder that great books don’t just happen—they’re crafted over time, with care, risk, and a whole lot of dedication. Catch a new episode of Red Hen Radio every month for an in depth conversation into publishing!  Did you know you can grab the resources shared on this episode on Substack? For a list of what was talked about, please visit: https://redhenpress.substack.com/  For a readable enjoyment, read the transcript of our website here: https://redhen.org/red-hen-radio/  Don’t miss out on all things Red Hen! Instagram: @redhenpress Threads: @redhenpress Twitter/X: @redhenpress BlueSky: @redhenpress.bsky.social  TikTok: @redhenpress Facebook: Red Hen Press Catch up on our books! Bookshop.org: Red Hen Press Store: https://redhenpress.myshopify.com/   Website: https://redhen.org/book/  Red Hen Radio is produced by the powerhouse team at Red Hen Press.

    28 min
  2. 12/04/2025

    Inside LA’s Indie Bookstores: Octavia’s Bookshelf & Underdog Bookstore

    In the season one finale of Red Hen Radio, we’re taking you out of the studio and into the heart of Los Angeles’s indie literary scene. Audio editor Piper hits the streets to visit two extraordinary independent bookstores—Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena and Underdog Bookstore in Monrovia. Meet Nikki High, founder of Octavia’s Bookshelf, Pasadena’s first indie bookstore dedicated to highlighting books by BIPOC authors. Nikki shares how her lifelong devotion to reading, community care, and representation sparked the creation of her shop, and why cozy, safe spaces matter. Step inside Underdog Bookstore, led by Kealie Mardell-Carrera, whose mission is to raise up LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, and neurodiverse authors through intentional curation, community programs, and all with the help from a four-legged “employee” Ninkasi. Hear why buying local isn’t just a transaction, it’s a community investment that fuels literacy, empowers authors, and keeps cultural spaces alive. Catch a new episode of Red Hen Radio every month for an in depth conversation into publishing!  Did you know you can grab the resources shared on this episode on Substack? For a list of what was talked about, please visit: https://redhenpress.substack.com/  For a readable enjoyment, read the transcript of our website here: https://redhen.org/red-hen-radio/  Don’t miss out on all things Red Hen! Instagram: @redhenpress Threads: @redhenpress Twitter/X: @redhenpress BlueSky: @redhenpress.bsky.social  TikTok: @redhenpress Facebook: Red Hen Press Catch up on our books! Bookshop.org: Red Hen Press Store: https://redhenpress.myshopify.com/   Website: https://redhen.org/book/  Red Hen Radio is produced by the powerhouse team at Red Hen Press.

    33 min
  3. 11/06/2025

    Walking Through Fire: Poets on Teaching, Writing, and Staying Creative During These Chaotic Times

    In this thoughtful episode, Kate Gale sits down with poets M. Soledad Caballero, Jose Hernandez Diaz, and Jason Schneiderman for a candid conversation about what it means to write, teach, and stay grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. The episode opens with a conversation about the pressure and promise of releasing creative work during turbulent times. Follow along as the discussion shifts from books shaping these writers’ current reading lives and how early influences evolve as artists mature, to the role of phones, screens, and social media in shifting our attention and how it reshapes the way students encounter art.  This episode is a reminder that poetry is a lifeline. Listeners also get to hear these poets' poetry in this exclusive episode with Red Hen Press authors. Catch a new episode of Red Hen Radio every month for an in depth conversation into publishing!  Did you know you can grab the resources shared on this episode on Substack? For a list of what was talked about, please visit: https://redhenpress.substack.com/  For a readable enjoyment, read the transcript of our website here: https://redhen.org/red-hen-radio/  Don’t miss out on all things Red Hen! Instagram: @redhenpress Threads: @redhenpress Twitter/X: @redhenpress BlueSky: @redhenpress.bsky.social  TikTok: @redhenpress Facebook: Red Hen Press Catch up on our books! Bookshop.org: Red Hen Press Store: https://redhenpress.myshopify.com/   Website: https://redhen.org/book/  Red Hen Radio is produced by the powerhouse team at Red Hen Press.

    40 min
  4. 09/25/2025

    A Celebration of Filipino American Voices with E.P. Tuazon and Jhoanna Belfer in conversation with Monica Fernandez

    In this episode of Red Hen Radio, we celebrate Filipino American History Month with two brilliant voices shaping today’s literary landscape. Monica Fernandez, Red Hen’s Media Director, sits down with Jhoanna Belfer, founder and owner of Bel Canto Books in Long Beach, and author E.P. Tuazon, whose short story collection A Professional Lola explores family, identity, and humor in unforgettable ways. Immerse in the Filipino culture as our guests chat about the thriving literary community hub, Filipino American storytelling and representation in publishing, cultural recognition in pop culture, family traditions and mouthwatering food memories, and books and authors shaping a new era of Filipino American literature. This conversation is a celebration of heritage, identity, and the joy of seeing yourself reflected in the stories shared to the world. Catch a new episode of Red Hen Radio every month for an in depth conversation into publishing!  Did you know you can grab the resources shared on this episode on Substack? For a list of what was talked about, please visit: https://redhenpress.substack.com/  For a readable enjoyment, read the transcript of our website here: https://redhen.org/red-hen-radio/  Don’t miss out on all things Red Hen! Instagram: @redhenpress Threads: @redhenpress Twitter/X: @redhenpress BlueSky: @redhenpress.bsky.social  TikTok: @redhenpress Facebook: Red Hen Press Catch up on our books! Bookshop.org: Red Hen Press Store: https://redhenpress.myshopify.com/   Website: https://redhen.org/book/  Red Hen Radio is produced by the powerhouse team at Red Hen Press.

    39 min
  5. 08/28/2025

    The Magical, Mythical World of Powerful Women

    This episode delves into the magical and mythical with Malia Márquez and Lara Ehrlich. Malia discusses her love of tarot while Lara discusses the mythology of mermaids and sirens. Both explore deep topics regarding womanhood and feminism and how their stories can offer a feminist subversions of male dominated genres like noir and mythology. They also dive deep into the personal process of creating emotional stories with complex female relationships through introspection of their own familial relationships. Lara and Malia also talk about their desires for their novels and how they both achieved their writing goals. Excitingly, they also speak on working on future works.  Catch a new episode of Red Hen Radio every month for an in depth conversation into publishing!  To learn more about our 31st Annual Benefit Gala, read about the event on the website here. Did you know you can grab the resources shared on this episode on Substack? For a list of what was talked about, please visit: ⁠https://redhenpress.substack.com/⁠  For a readable enjoyment, read the transcript of our website here: ⁠https://redhen.org/red-hen-radio/⁠  Don’t miss out on all things Red Hen! Instagram: ⁠@redhenpress⁠ Threads: ⁠@redhenpress⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠@redhenpress⁠ BlueSky: ⁠@redhenpress.bsky.social ⁠ TikTok: ⁠@redhenpress⁠ Facebook: ⁠Red Hen Press⁠ Catch up on our books! Bookshop.org: ⁠Red Hen Press⁠ Store: ⁠https://redhenpress.myshopify.com/⁠   Website: ⁠https://redhen.org/book/⁠  Red Hen Radio is produced by the powerhouse team at Red Hen Press.

    32 min

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Sharing to a community of readers and writers who are actively engaged in the essential human practice known as literature