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On Creative Writing podcast show
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The On Creative Writing Podcast Show is now live, and more episodes will be dropping in the coming weeks.
Go to the Podcast page to listen, or find the show on your favourite podcast listing app.
On Writing


Art is more than recombining elements: Why Nitin Nohria's essay on copyrighting gen AI outputs is flawed
Nitin Nohria's essay in MIT Technology Review 'AI copyright anxiety will hold back creativity' argues copyright law should not hold AI to a different standard than human artists and that gen AI’s recombination of existing material is the same as creative processes of renowned artists. Flaws in the essay are that creative processes of renowned artists are different from A, and it mischaracterizes AI’s capabilities, and it neglects factors distinguishing human art from AI-gener
16 hours ago8 min read


Finding mentors, exploring joy, facing agony: A map of the writing life
Linda Trinh is a Vietnamese Canadian author of nonfiction and fiction for adults and children. Seeking Spirit: A Vietnamese (non) Buddhist Memoir is her first book for adults. Her creative nonfiction has appeared in literary magazines such as The Fiddlehead, Room, and Prairie Fire. Linda shares her writing journey, the importance of mentorship, and why finding the write style of writing is essential for new writers.
4 days ago3 min read


Navigating the evolving world of creative writing: Insights from Anthony Bidulka
In a recent episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, listeners were treated to a deep dive into the craft and business of writing with award-winning mystery and suspense author Anthony Bidulka.
Anthony took a seat behind the mic to host this audio essay and shared his eveolution as a writer, along with lessons leraned from two decades in the publishing industry.
4 days ago4 min read


From Kistahpinânihk to Cambridge: Metis author rooted in legacy and resistance
John Brady McDonald is a Nehiyawak-Metis writer, historian, playwright, and activist born from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He is the author of several books, and has had his written works published and presented around the globe. His book Carrying It Forward: Essays from Kistahpinânihk was published in 2022 by Wolsak and Wynn. His writing is shaped his experience as an urban Indigenous youth growing up in poverty, being a Residential School survivor, and an addict.
4 days ago3 min read


Short stories in lifestyle magazines started author's writing success
Alan Williams' latest novel is Mystery in the Snowy Mountains, is published by Holand Press and is available on Amazon, along with his short story collection, The Rain, The Park and Other Things. In this interview he talks about his writing, how he's had success with short stories in women's magazines, the happy ending themes he's drawn to, and why being a pantser works for him.
Jun 154 min read


Past rejection: Hard-earned advice on getting published includes persistence and proofing
Emma Marns' first novel The Walk was published in 2023. In this interview with On Creative Writing Emma shares thoughts on generative AI, favourite authors, and books, and offers hard-earned advice on getting published. Emma has a BA in English Literature from UEA, an MPhil in Irish Writing from Trinity College Dublin and is starting a PhD in Creative Writing at The University of Essex this year. She is a freelance journalist and has had words featured in The Independent and
Jun 123 min read


Fusing identity and healing: Author explores memoir writing, chaos, pain, writing process, and more
Content trigger warning: This episode touches on topics including self-harm, alcoholism, drug use, and eating disorders. Sheelagh Caygill talks with acclaimed Iranian-Canadian multigenre writer Hollay Ghadery about the themes and inspirations behind her powerful memoir, Fuse. The conversation opens with Hollay discussing being a mixed-race woman and navigating the complexities of identity, family, belonging, and cultural heritage.
Jun 55 min read


How does a writer get an agent or publishing contract? Persist, adapt, understand the publishing industry
On Creative Writing co-founders Emma Woodhouse and Sheelagh Caygill discusses Emma's experiences writing a novel, finding an agent, and eventually getting a publishing contract in episode 001 of the On Creative Writing podcast. Emma, a new and prolific author of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction, delves into her writing process, distinctive style, and experiences through the agent and publishing landscape in the UK.
Jun 15 min read


Fiction author Edoardo Albert on how AI is a threat to writers
It’s difficult to AI it being anything other than a threat, says seasoned author Edoardo Albert. He thinks it will be worst for writers who work within established intellectual properties, such as the Warhammer universe. These sorts of stories seem to be exceptionally vulnerable to AI as it's the editors who look after the intellectual property and, frankly, they could work just as easily with AI as with human writers.
Jun 13 min read


Novelist on exploring the intricacies of relationships in fiction
In this engaging author question and answer interview, author Teri Vlassopoulost explores the importance of writing communities, how her writing has evolved and her writing process, her love of exploring the intricacies of relationships in fiction, and how she first found a publisher for her books.
May 293 min read


Be an emotionally invested writer; write about what you care about
John Cullimore was a hospital doctor and eventually a surgeon. Now retired, his time is his own. For years, he was fascinated by Swindon’s railway heritage and the story of Alfred Williams, his debut novel’s real-life protagonist. He was an uneducated factory worker who developed a passion for learning and became a celebrated writer. Sadly, he died prematurely, amidst poverty and hardship. John's novel is based on Alfred Williams.
May 254 min read


Alice Fitzpatrick: Let go of expectations of immediate perfection in your creative writing
Canadian novelist Alice Fitzpatrick spent her summers with her Welsh family in Pembrokeshire which inspired the creation of the Meredith Island Mysteries series. Secrets in the Water, released in June 2024, is the first in the series. The second book, A Dark Death, is coming in June of this year. Alice has contributed short stories to literary magazines and anthologies and has recently retired from teaching in order to devote herself to writing full-time.
May 204 min read
News


Exclusive! get our free creative writing advice guide tomorrow - Subscriber benefit
We know you're serious about your creative writing craft, which is why this isn't your average collection of fleeting tips. We asked 16 talented authors and writers to share their most valuable insights, and we've compiled over 2,500 words of actionable advice you won't find just anywhere. Forget the bland soundbites; this guide dives deep into the real nitty-gritty of the writing life.
May 14


Don't miss out! The On Creative Writing newsletter is coming soon!
Are you a writer looking for inspiration, guidance, and a supportive community? Then you've come to the right place! On Creative Writing is your go-to resource for everything you need to hone your craft and navigate the writer's life. We're excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new newsletter!
Why subscribe to On Creative Writing
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Apr 23


Powerful Canadian spring poetry releases
In her debut collection titled Elergy for Opportunity, Natalie Lim asks: How do we go on living and loving in a time of overlapping crises? Anchored by elegies for NASA’s Opportunity rover and a series of love poems, this collection explores the tension and beauty of a world marked by grief through meditations on Dungeons & Dragons, Taylor Swift’s cultural impact, the all-engulfing anxiety of the climate crisis and more.
Mar 8


The Prendergast Watch - how and why Emma Woodhouse wrote her first novel
Author Emma Woodhouse shares the intriguing and engaging story behind her writing of The Prendergast Watch, a Victorian mystery.
Mar 7


Debunking the study that AI generates better poetry than poetry written by humans
An October 2024 University of Pittsburgh report erroneously reports that AI can generate better poetry than poems by humans.
Dec 19, 2024
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