On Creative Writing
Episodes
A novel about exile, shame, sexuality, love, and a sock puppet
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Hollay Ghadery's The Unravelling of Ou, “Wildly original and captivating. A phenomenal examination of female shame, sexuality, queerness, mot...
Ending silence: Novelist Ann Cavlovic on elder abuse in Count On Me
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host Su Chan sits down with debut novelist Ann Cavlovic to discuss her powerful and timely novel, Count ...
Best book publicity tools: selfless networking and likability
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, debut novelist Emma Marnes joins host Sheelagh Caygill for an detailed discussion about book publi...
The art of routine maintenance: Crafting poetry from urban life
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, guest Marco Melfi discusses his debut poetry collection, Routine Maintenance, published by Gaspere...
Exploring the cosmos of creativity: Lessons from Kyle Flemmer’s Supergiants
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host and poet Kim Mannix sits down with poet and digital media artist Kyle Flemmer for an in-depth conversation about his latest poetry collecti...
Michael Mirolla on metafiction: Writing that reflects on its own creation
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Find the full transcript of Michael Mirolla's audio essay, 'Michael Mirolla on metafiction: Writing that reflects on its own creation'.In ...
How parenting helped Sean Minogue finish his time-travel thriller
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Creative Writing is grateful to author Sean Minogue for this engaging audio essay about writing his speculative fiction time-travel thriller, Termi...
Exploring grief, myth, and environmental awareness in The Pollination Field
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, host Sheelagh Caygill sits down with novelist and poet Kim Farner to discuss her latest poetry col...
Secrets, trauma, scars, and stories: A Quilting of Scars by Lucy E.M. Black
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of On Creative Writing, author Emma Woodhouse sits down with Canadian author Lucy E. M. Black to discuss her latest novel, A Quilting ...
Ken Wilson explores kinship and connection in Walking the Bypass
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In his audio essay for On Creative Writing, Ken Wilson, author of Walking the Bypass: Notes on Place from the Side of the Road, explores the transform...
Insights and actionable tips on navigating book publicity from an author's perspective
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Sheelagh Caygill sits down with James Cairns, an author and professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, to discuss publicizing his essay co...
The best Poetry Contest for aspiring poets in 2025!
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host Kim Mannix, author of the new poetry collection Confirm Humanity, is excited to tell you all that the On Creative Writing Poetry Contest is...
Win creative writing coaching and a free year of Brain.fm
29 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
By Sheelagh CaygillThe Writer's Spark Coaching Competition is designed for creative writers who need that extra push, that spark to reignite their...
Novella's startling vision of the future emerged from climate grief, pandemic isolation
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host and poet Kim Mannix sits down with acclaimed Canadian author C.J. Levigne to explore her novella, T...
Multiculturalism and creative writing: balancing love, faith, identity, and mental health in the novel
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Saad Omar Khan, a Pakistani Canadian writer and the author of the acclaimed debut novel Drinking the Ocean, joins host Sheelagh Caygill for a t...
Poetry navigates the complexities of communication in the digital age
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host and poet Marco Melfi (author of Routine Maintenance) joins poet and professor Chris Hutchinson to explore the intricacies of Chris’s late...
Rediscovering your voice and confidence: Writing through illness and grief
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist Susan Wadds presents an audio essay for this episode of On Creative Writing. She discusses her debut novel, What the Living Do. The title is ...
The best lessons from Dorothea Brande and Anne Lamott, from a writing coach
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
News! The Writer's Spark Coaching Competition is open! One creative writer has an opportunity to win one prize comprising: Coaching from coach and...
From the heart to Mars: A cosmic dive into grief and joy in poetry
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of On Creative Writing, guest host and poet Kim Mannix converses with award-winning Chinese-Canadian poet Natalie Lim to discuss Natal...
How a writing coach helps creative writers become unstuck
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Writer's Spark Coaching CompetitionToday's guest is Fiona Fenwick, a coach and mentor who coaches creative writers, too. Fiona is part of On Creat...
Kim Fahner: Poetry inspired by pollinators, reflections on the environment, and more
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of On Creative Writing is for lovers of poetry everywhere! Beautifully talented poet Kim Fahner reads two poems from her new collection o...
Aaron Kreuter's Lake Burntshore explores complexities of identity and community
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Kreuter, author of the new novel Lake Burntshore, discusses his writing with Emma Woodhouse. He delves into the origins of his passion for story...
James Cairns: Fascination with the age of crises grew from personal crises of addiction
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Creative Writing host Sheelagh Caygill talks with writer and academic James Cairns to explore the themes in his new and compelling collection of es...
Pushing creative writing’s boundaries: Writer’s work shaped by life transformations and climate crisis
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you like the podcast and interviews with writers at OnCreativeWriting.com, perhaps consider making a tiny donation at Ko-fi. Even $3 can help us ...
Will gen AI eventually replace creative writers?
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello! If you are enjoying the podcast and our interviews at OnCreativeWriting.com please consider making a tiny donation towards website hosting fees...
Writing about collective trauma: The power of fiction to educate and help heal
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
British author Emma Marns shares how she came to write her novel The Walk in this audio essay. The Walk is about two girls who are sent to Bessborough...
How authors can promote their books in a competitive landscape
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hollay Ghadery, founder of River Street Writing, gives a lesson in book publicity for seasoned and new authors of all genres in this conversation with...
Author learns so much from editing. His key tip? Plan and outline
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging episode of the On Creative Writing podcast, author and editor Allister Thompson takes the mic in our Authors-Behind-The-Mic series.Fr...
Transform your creative writing by finding your 'Why'
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Canadian author Anthony Bidulka delivers an engaging and info-packed audio essay in this episode of On Creative Writing. He delves into his writing ca...
Writing to explore identity, family, and mental health: Hollay Ghadery on her memoir Fuse
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content trigger warning: This episode touches on topics including self-harm, alcoholism, drug use, and eating disorders. We understand that these topi...
How does a writer get an agent or publishing contract? Persist, learn, adapt
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Creative Writing co-founders Emma Woodhouse and Sheelagh Caygill discuss Emma's experiences writing historical fiction, seeking an agent and ac...
Welcome to the On Creative Writing podcast
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Creative Writing: Building Community, Exploring Trends, and Supporting WritersCreative writers Emma Woodhouse and Sheelagh Caygill bring you the On...