Hi Everyone, Trust the start of your new year is going as well as possible. In 2021, I’m trying something new with the podcast. I’m creating a year-long series of podcasts centered around elements of storytelling. I’m producing four seasons throughout the year, each focused on a particular element: Place, Plot, Point and Character. A … Continue reading Announcing the Elements Series

Dan Kois (Image by Alia Smith) In this episode I talk to writer, editor and podcaster Dan Kois Dan's latest book is How to be a Family: The Year I Dragged My Kids Around the World to Find a New Way to Be Together We talk about Denis Johnson's 2011 novella, Train Dreams Better off … Continue reading Ep 86: Dan Kois talks to Pip Adam about ‘Train Dreams’ by Denis Johnson

In this episode I talk to singer, teacher and poet Caitlin Smith We talk about two works: 'Shoulder Charge' by Jesca Hoop which you can listen to here And 'Another Goodbye' which is the last track on the new album, You Have Reached Your Destination by Brave Caitlin Smith's Imaginary Band You can hear a … Continue reading Ep 85: Caitlin Smith talks to Pip Adam about ‘Shoulder Charge’ by Jesca Hoop and ‘Another Goodbye’ by Caitlin Smith

This episode is a recording of a lunchtime event held at Unity Books in Wellington on 14 October 2020. I'm really grateful to Eamonn Marra who made this recording and let me publish it here. Eamonn and Murdoch both published books recently. Eamonn's book is 2000ft Above Worry Level and Murdoch's book is Rat King … Continue reading Ep 84: Renter Writes – Eamonn Marra and Murdoch Stephens talk to Dr Elinor Chisholm at Unity Books Wellington

This is the final of our ten-part Sound Series where I talk to writers and artists about their work in relation to sounds they have chosen. In this episode we get to hear responses from Sudha Rao to some of the exercises. I also talk to Sudha Rao about sound and her writing. I'm very … Continue reading Ep 82: Sound Series 10 – Showcase with Sudha Rao

This is the ninth of our ten-part Sound Series where I talk to writers and artists about their work in relation to sounds they have chosen. In this episode I talk to Cassandra Barnett and Luke Buda. Cassandra BarnettLuke Buda Cassandra chose this late-night, early-morning recording: Luke chose the noise of a lawnmower: In these … Continue reading Ep 81: Sound Series 9 – Cassandra Barnett and Luke Buda

This is the eighth of our ten-part Sound Series where I talk to writers and artists about their work in relation to sounds they have chosen. In this episode I talk to David Long and Anna Smaill. Anna SmaillDavid Long (Image by Grant Maiden) David chose a piece of music he wrote 'Gasmasks'. This piece … Continue reading Ep 80: Sound Series 8 – Anna Smaill and David Long

For the final episode of the Sound Series I'm hoping to put together a showcase of work created in response to the exercises I've been offering throughout the series. I'd love to receive your work by Thursday 24 September You can send your responses to me at: betterreadnz@gmail.com Or if you have any questions please … Continue reading Sound Series – The Exercises

This is the seventh of our ten-part Sound Series where I talk to writers and artists about their work in relation to sounds they have chosen. In this episode I talk to Kerry Ann Lee and Jackson Nieuwland. Kerry Ann LeeJackson Nieuwland Kerry Ann chose a recording she made in Mexico. Jackson provided this mystery … Continue reading Ep 79: Sound Series 7 – Kerry Ann Lee and Jackson Nieuwland