Writer's Chat

Chicken House Press
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Chicken House Press owner/operator Alanna Rusnak talks about writing. Through the main interview series, First Friday stories (presented on the first Friday of every month) and Racing Home, a series that follows Alanna’s personal journey to completing her next novel. (Launching on Tuesday, November 7 and running weekly.) Interviews are recorded over Zoom on rural internet; please excuse the minor audio glitches.

  1. 11/28/2025

    Episode 18 - Jack Stilborn author of The Tyranny of Good Intentions

    A cozy chat with Jack Stilborn, author of The Tyranny of Good Intentions, a humourous book about human nature, politics, and democracy’s smallest battleground. We talk about process, marketing, the economics of being an author, working for the government, how to get endorsements, Monty Python, policy writing vs. fiction writing, and why writing what you know results in a strong manuscript. Jack Stilborn showed early promise with a comic story that made a cousin laugh so hard she threw up. He was then deflected by life. Careers included part-time academic (political science); intergovernmental affairs advisor (Ontario government) and research analyst (Parliament). Outside work, he has raised three children with spouse Linda and enjoys eclectic reading, volunteer work, cycling, kayaking (no white water please) and cross-country skiing. Following a period of writing about parliamentary government, he has returned to fiction with a short story that received Honorable Mention in the 2024 Alice Munro Short Story Contest, and with his debut novel, The Tyranny of Good Intentions. Find Jack at jackstilborn.com Theme music is Morning by LiQWYD This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    54 min

  2. 09/19/2025

    Episode 17 - Teri Stevens author of Makenzie's Ring

    Sitting down with Teri Stevens, author of Makenzie's Ring, a cozy middle-grade summer camp mystery about friendship, family, and the choices we make. We talk about process, writing in community, what it's like to hold your book for the first time, and the unending hustle of marketing. Teri Stevens devoured s’mores and creepy stories as a child during summer camp at Lake Tahoe, CA. Makenzie’s Ring, a ghostly story of friendship and self-discovery, is her debut novel. When she’s not writing or exploring haunted manors, she’s caring for her three teenagers, husband, backyard chickens and Maxx, their rescue dog. Visit her in Napa Valley, CA or at teristevens.co Be sure to follow Teri online Instagram @teri_stevens Theme music is Morning by LiQWYD This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    54 min

  3. 05/16/2025

    Racing Home 023 - "I Launched My Book"

    A weekly podcast series, following the journey of writing the fiction series The Path That Takes Us Home by Alanna Rusnak. In this episode: I share the recording of my launch event, complete with a reading, fun tidbits, and a live music performance! Excerpts, deep thoughts, rambles, and shares. In this episode: Stay Social Water Scrivener Publisher Rocket WHEN THE TREES ALL BURNED POCKET ROCHELLE 🎶 Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    52 min

  4. 04/18/2025

    16 - April Sunshine

    Sitting down with April Sunshine, author of Sparrow (Into the Grey Book 1), a cozy fantasy about identity, friendship, and the courage to choose your own path. We talk about process, what it's like to release a book when you're out of the country, support systems, what to look forward to in the series, and the trend of smut in fantasy. Toward the end, we opened our Zoom up to some of April's friends and family for a Q&A session and a virtual toast to the novel. Order your copy of Sparrow through Chicken House Press. https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/bookstore/p/sparrrow-into-the-grey-1 April is a fantasy bookworm originally from Florida, who loves art, history, and studying creating writing. A globetrotter with a passion for adventure, she can either be found travelling with her nose in a novel or listening to the rain with a hot coffee in hand while writing a book of her own. Be sure to follow April online Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/author_aprilsunshine Theme music is Morning by LiQWYD This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    49 min

  5. 01/31/2025

    15 - Nick Perry

    Sitting down with Nick Perry, author of Broken Water, the fascinating story of an atheist who wants to become a priest. We talk about the upcoming release of his debut novel, fostering a love of imagination and books in the young, the merits of a library, identity, Canada's role in literacy and so much more! Order your copy of his book: https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/bookstore/p/broken-water This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    1h 46m

  6. 12/13/2024

    14 - Sticks and Stones

    On Wednesday, December 11, over a live Zoom event, the eight shortlisted writers from the Sticks & Stones anthology contest hosted by Blank Spaces Magazine and Chicken House Press each shared a portion of their selected stories and then learn together who was the grand prize winner of the $300+ cash prize. With special guests Nikki Berreth, Rose Camara, Andrea Marcelino, Cornelia Mars, Elizabeth Nash, Katrine Raymond, Tara Ross, Kevin Smith and grand prize judge E. Yvonne Pelletier. Pre-order a copy of the anthology. This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    1 min

  7. 09/06/2024

    FF11: I used to be a liar

    First Friday is all about telling a personal story from my own life in an effort to allow you to get to know the person behind Chicken House Press a little better. These First Friday stories began as blogs and are now evolving to include audio versions. This is a story about how a penpal taught me to be myself. You can expect a new mini story like this on the first Friday of every month. Theme music is Morning by LiQWYD Ad Spots: SCRIVENER

    17 min

  8. 08/09/2024

    13 - Crystal Heidel, Byzantium Sky Press

    Sitting down with Crystal Heidel, owner of Byzantium Sky Press and author of Still Life In Blood. We talk about perception, marketing, author expectations, reading for pleasure, capacity, self-doubt, reciprocal partnerships, being loud, the tension between being an author and a publisher, and so much more. This podcast is supported by Scrivener. Typewriter, ring-binder, Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft. Download a free trial today! This episode is also supported by Publisher Rocket - a powerful companion tool for anyone selling their books on Amazon. Find all episodes and full show notes at the mother ship (https://www.chickenhousepress.ca/writers-chat-podcast) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

    1 min
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About

Chicken House Press owner/operator Alanna Rusnak talks about writing. Through the main interview series, First Friday stories (presented on the first Friday of every month) and Racing Home, a series that follows Alanna’s personal journey to completing her next novel. (Launching on Tuesday, November 7 and running weekly.) Interviews are recorded over Zoom on rural internet; please excuse the minor audio glitches.

Information

  • Creator
    Chicken House Press
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) Chicken House Press and Alanna Rusnak
  • Show Website
    Writer's Chat