The podcast for new writing
Dive into the world of becoming a writer in this engaging and thought-provoking podcast produced by Centre for New Writing students.
Series 2
In this series, The University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing MA writers look at themes within literature. With so many of us locked down, prose and poetry can become a source of experience or escapism for writers as well as readers. The podcasts will explore how certain themes within reading inform our writing. Presented and produced by Alienor Bombarde, this is the second series of the Podcast for New Writing, following on from Kathryn Tann's launching series, 'Emerging' writers.
'Flight' within reading can take on a variety of different shapes. We might think of escape, of planes and rockets fleeing the known. Or flying towards brightness, synonymous with Icarus' desire.
Alienor Bombarde is joined by Haley Lawson and Lucie Vovk to discuss both physical and mental flight. Haley will be reading a passage from 'Abarat' (2002), a fantasy novel written and illustrated by Clive Barker, the first of 'The Books of Abarat' series. Lucie chooses to read 'The Distance of the Moon' by Italo Calvino, first published in 1965. Please join us for the conversation.
Thank you to the Centre for New Writing for their support and encouragement. Original music by Îluje.
Food: a growing issue. As a cultural foundation and a method of human connectedness, today's episode discusses food's prevalence in our reading and writing.
Alienor Bombarde is joined by Ruby Martin and Zoë Wells to discuss reading and writing food. Ruby narrates her hilarious experimental piece 'roadside jam', while Zoë delves into the intrinsic beauty of breadmaking in 1940s Berlin. Please join us for this second episode of 'Reading Writers'.
Thank you to the Centre for New Writing for their support and encouragement. Original music by Îluje.
Shekina Rose and Sam Burt join Alienor Bombarde to discuss the value of solitude. Shekina reads an extract from her own work, a reflection on the possible causes of acute loneliness. Sam sheds light on the novella 'The Lady and the Little Fox Fur' by Violette Leduc (1965), whose main character experiences isolation in the bustling city of Paris. We hope you enjoy this third episode of 'Reading Writers'.
Thank you to Dr. Honor Gavin, Shekina Rose and the Centre for New Writing for their support and encouragement. Original music by Îluje.
'Fight' kicks off with a discussion around the experiences which lead us to define fight. Dipika Mummery reads an extract from Eva Baltasar's 'Permafrost', published by the wonderful independent press And Other Stories. Probert Dean follows with a reading from his own unpublished novel 'Leviathan', and Louisa Ashton links a few verses from 'The Bear' by Galway Kinnell, from the anthology 'Staying Alive' published by Bloodaxe Books, to an introspective passage from her own work.
We hope you enjoy this fourth episode of 'Reading Writers'.
Thank you to Dr Honor Gavin, Shekina Rose and the Centre for New Writing for their support and encouragement. Original music by Îluje.
Revisit previous series
'Emerging' writers on the University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing MA programme meet to talk about all things writerly. From daily practice and works-in-progress, to notions of success and that ultimate question: how do I make my money? Presented and produced by Kathryn Tann, this is the first series of a new podcast platform which hopes to bring together interesting conversations from across the writing industry.
1. 'I am a writer': Identifying as a creative
Kathryn Tann is joined by Alexander Hanan (Alex) and Georgia Hase (George) to discuss the trials and benefits of identifying as a creative. Looking at attitudes towards the industry, experiences in our school years, and the reasons why being a writer should be a noble goal, not a hidden one. Original music by Danny Booth.
2. Age: The demographic of emerging writers
Does an emerging writer mean a young writer? Kathryn Tann is joined by MA students Joe Hunter and Marilyn Roseman to talk about the various paths a person might take towards writing. Thank you to the Centre for New Writing for their continued support and encouragement as we work through uncertain times. Original music by Danny Booth.
3. Daily practice: Writing rituals and helpful habits
Kathryn Tann is joined by MA students Joss Areté and Debbie Enever, to compare notes on how they work, and share their favourite hand-me-downs in writing wisdom. Thank you to the Centre for New Writing, and to everyone who has enjoyed listening to this new series so far. Original music by Danny Booth.
4. Time and Money: Balancing life and writing
Time and money: two essential ingredients for writing. Kathryn Tann is joined by Leona, Ryan and Rob to chat about how they fund their creative pursuits, and what the practicalities of a professional career in writing might look like. Thank you to the Centre for New Writing for your support throughout this funny lockdown time. Unfortunately, the necessity for long-distance recording has meant lower-quality sound in some parts of this episode, but we hope you enjoy listening regardless. Original music by Danny Booth.
5. Writers Who Read: The importance of literature
Absorbing literature – whatever its form – is important regardless of what we choose to do in life. But as a writer, there's another deeper level to the benefits we can derive from picking up a book. In this episode, Kathryn Tann is joined by MA students Grey Marlow and Rozie Kelly, who share their thoughts on how and why they read – including a number of brilliant book recommendations. As always, thank you to the Centre for New Writing, and to everyone who has enjoyed listening to this new series so far.
6. Defining success: With special guests Jessica Moor and Rachael Allen
In this final episode of the series, Kathryn Tann is joined by the novelist Jessica Moor and poet Rachael Allen, who are this years' Anthony Burgess Writing Fellows at the University of Manchester. They discuss what the word 'success' means for them, and what it can mean for an emerging writer. They also answer some questions from this year's MA students, including advice on dealing with rejection, balancing work, and getting through that first draft.
Thank you to the Centre for New Writing for sharing and supporting this podcast, to artist Danny Booth for his music, and to everyone who has listened.