Advertise on podcast: Write On with Beverly Martens

Beverly shares the highs (and lows) of her Summer reading, particularly two fantastic tomes written by, and for, writers: 'Writers on Writing' (ed. by Roberts, Mitchell, Zubrinich - pub. by Penguin Australia 2002) and 'Word Monkey' Christopher Fowler's final poignant, tangential, acerbic memoir (pub by Penguin UK 2023) Then we celebrate the upcoming Otepoti launch (on 29th of January) of the NZ Poetry Society's latest anthology 'There Are Rabbits Here' with local poets Jackson and Jasmine Taylor who also read some of the poems therein. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

First up Beverly talks to 'emerging' poet John Russell-Hodge about goal-setting, and how he'll be spending his summer at the Robert Lord cottage, and then acclaimed crime-writer (and NZSA President) Vanda Symon pops in for a fascinating creative and personal update - as well as HOW TO - and definitely, WHY YOU SHOULD - apply for an NZSA Mentorship (with applications open until 1st of February) www.authors.org.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

First up, Professor Wendy Parkins talks about researching and writing her award-winning novel 'The Defiance of Frances Dickinson' - based on the true story (and court records) of a 19th Century English heiress who risked her wealth and reputation seeking to end her brutal marriage - with the patriarchal stacked heavily against her. Then, Beverly chats with social anthropologist Hannah Bulloch about her extraordinary and fascinating family saga 'Overland to The Island' (NZ to Skye with six kids in a home-made house-truck) which her grandparents Alan and Joan MacLeod undertook in the 1960s! Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

It's "BOOK-TOBER" in DUNEDIN! - Dunedin is bursting with book-related events this month. We've got NZ Book Day (on October 11th), The all-day Landfall Tauraka 250 Symposium (on October 17th) followed by the highly anticipated Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival (October 17-19) So let Beverly unpack these exciting events for you (in ways that you'll want to get involved!) before her feature interview with award-winning writer, and all-round good guy, DUNCAN SARKIES. Duncan discusses how he went about writing his delightfully subversive new novel, STARGAZERS, along with details of the Masterclass he's running at DWRF. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Deep Dive with Dr Lynley Edmeades and YWF with Kate Schrader - Lynley Edmeades is a swan. Gliding on the surface, constant motion below as a poet, essayist, editor, lecturer, awards judge, mother, deep thinker... First we take a deep dive into how her new collection 'Hiding Places' came about, and then, after the break, we chat about all the challenges in her professional life including as editor of Landfall, NZ's prestigious literary journal, about to celebrate its 250th issue. Then we round things out with Jeff Harford's lively interview with Young Writers' Festival codirector Kate Schrader, about the variety of events you can attend this weekend. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Writing for Children. Reading for All - This month Beverly focuses on the important role NZ children's writers play in shaping our cultural world-view, alongside the Dunedin's natural environment, by speaking first with Dunedin Libraries' Collections Specialist Jackie McMillan (to provide that context) and then with the 2025 (and at this stage, last) University of Otago College of Education Children's Writer in Residence: Samantha Montgomerie. Samantha shares the discipline and drive needed to carve out a viable career as a children' writer along with the added responsibility of igniting their love affair with reading. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Writing What You Know - Dr Mira Harrison and Ina Kinski - This month Beverly interviews (Dr) Mira Harrison, a medical specialist based here in Dunedin about her new novel 'One-In-Three' whose protagonist, James Hartman, is out of his depth ( in all sorts of ways) working relentless hours as a junior NHS doctor in the late 1980s. This is Mira's first novel and, like her short story collection 'Admissions' draws vividly on her own personal medical training experience. Then, Beverly chats with UBS Book Buyer, Ina Kinski about just some of the inspiring and entertaining events hosted by the UBS this month - all designed to bust the winter blues! Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Short Fiction and Sharp Books - Dominic Hoey and Michelle Elvy - This month Beverly chats with Auckland-based author, rapper and poet Dominic Hoey about the launch of his eagerly-awaited third novel '1985' and the challenges he faced writing it. Then, with NFFD coming up, NZSA Branch chair Michelle Elvy details all the exciting flash fiction events leading up to our local celebration on June 22nd - including the launch of POTO! a ground-breaking new book of 100 short fictions (written in both English and te reo) which she co-edited with Kiri Piahana-Wong. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Women's Creative and Life Challenges - This month Beverly discusses the juggling act all creative women perform while trying to to stay focused and productive - when she catches up with last year's Burns' Fellow, Mikaela Nyman, before the launch of her latest poetry collection. "Anatomy of Sand" Beverly then underpins this frank, and free-ranging chat with some poignant mother-centric poems, and music tracks, along with news of upcoming creative opportunities. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

The Hard Graft Behind Getting Published - This month Beverly chats to Dunedin debut novelist Martinette Williams, about her newly published first book: 'Everything She Wanted' - and the personal and professional angst she went through while writing it. The novel also has a soundtrack of songs written and sung by her including http://soundcloud.com/martinettewilliams/the-last-song. Then Beverly talks with literary legend Chris Else, in his capacity as co-owner of Total Fiction Services (TFS) who have an impressive track record providing manuscript assessments for both aspiring, and established writers. www.elseware.co.nz Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Fellowship (The Burns & the OPC) - First up Beverly chats with 2025 Burns' Fellow, Dr Octavia Cade, about her intriguing 'speculative' and 'cli-fi' (climate change) fiction, along with what new creative projects (set here in Otago) she's researching and writing this year. Then Octagon Poetry Collective committee member, Nicola Thorstensen, reflects on the OPC's bohemian 40-year history, and their inclusive ethos - including Open Mic sessions - at their monthly meetings, now held at the New Athenaeum Theatre (NAT). Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

As Valentine's Day is coming up, this show is all about 'LOVE' i.e. writing Romance Novels, set right here in Aotearoa New Zealand. First up, Beverly chats with Liz Jack about her mother, Essie Summers, the doyenne of NZ Romance Writing back in the 1950s -1990s. Essie wrote over 50 novels for Mills and Boon, many of them set in Otago, all meticulously researched. Then Beverly interviews contemporary 'romance writer' Danielle Hawkins. Danielle lives on a sheep and beef farm (in The King Country) and also works as a rural Vet. All of which provides handy 'background material' for her books. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

What Sort of Man - Dunedin Writer Breton Dukes - This month I interview Dunedin writer Breton Dukes, about his published short-story collections (inc. 'What Sort of Man'), and the novel he'll be working on during his Surrey Hotel residency. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Tracey Slaughter - Indepth interview with Tracey Slaughter - This month Beverly talks frankly with multi award winning short story writer, poet and essayist Tracey Slaughter about her game-changing Editing workshop (held here in Dunedin as part of the NZSA regional roadshow) They also discuss the 'high risk, high rewards' of striving for 'truth' in writing fiction, along with practical ways to remain kind to yourself (and your work) while doing that. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Writers and Writing - This month Beverly interviews visiting writer Cristina Sanders (author of 'Jerningham' and 'Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant') about her latest novel Okiwi Brown. They also discuss the joys and challenges of writing historic (colonial) fiction, and why one should always examine and question source data. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz